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 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

September 11-12, 2020 / 23 Elul 5780

Shabbat Nitzaveem-Vayelech

Torah: Deuteronomy 29:9 – 31:30    Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10 - 63:9

 

“Return”

 

Dear Friends,

 

This week we read a double Torah portion, Nitzaveem-Vayalech.  In the first ten verses of chapter 30, words containing the Hebrew root shin, vav, bet occur seven times.  This Hebrew root means to return, turn back, or repent.  How interesting that this portion is read only two weeks before the start of the High Holidays.  How interesting that Nitzaveem is the portion we read on Yom Kippur morning.

 

Now that we are in the midst of Elul, the Jewish month preceding Rosh Hashana, the message is clear.  It is time to prepare for the awesome work of returning, turning back, and repenting. Take time over the next week to begin examining your life and deeds from the past year.  Take time to begin to envision the future.  Take time to get ready for intense spiritual work.  The High Holidays are almost here.

 

Zay a mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow