Parshat Nitzavim-Vayeilech: Upholding the Covenant: An Individual and Communal Responsibility

BY: MELISSA CZINN
Parshat Nitzavim starts with a renewal of the covenant between God and the people of Israel. The parsha begins with Moshe addressing the people that are standing (nitzavim) before Hashem in groups: heads of tribes, officers and men. There are many different opinions as to why the people are split into groups. One view is that even though the people are one nation, the nation is made up of individuals and each person is making an individual commitment to Hashem and the covenant. Rabbi Shubert Spero says that Moshe points out to the people that they are each responsible for their own actions and that they will have to choose the way they are going to live their lives in Israel including how they will worship God.

The parsha continues to state that the people of the nation are to establish themselves as God’s people and to recognize Him as their God. However, the people already made a covenant with Gd at Sinai in parshat Yitro. The parsha even states that a prior commitment has been made: כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר לָךְ וְכַאֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לַאֲבֹתֶיךָ לְאַבְרָהָם לְיִצְחָק וּלְיַעֲקֹב – as he spoke to you and as he swore to your forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Devarim 28:12). So why did G-d want to renew the covenant? According to Rashi, Hashem wanted the new generation to accept the oath and not make Him angry by rejecting an oath that they are already obligated to follow. It appears that even though the people were already part of the original covenant, God wanted them to willingly accept the covenant on themselves. However, the parsha does end with the people having the choice to follow God’s commands. Yet, warnings are given as to what would happen to them if they did not follow what has been requested of them. Therefore the people could go against the covenant but would have to deal with the consequences of their actions.

In chapter 28,verse 14, God says that he is making the covenant not only with the people before Him but also with whoever is not with them at that time (וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר אֵינֶנּוּ פֹּה עִמָּנוּ הַיּוֹם). According to R’ Bachya this could be referring to all the unborn generations-- that even though future Jews are not present in the moment with them, the covenant will apply to them. Children are bound to the oath by their parents and therefore it is very important that the older generations teach Judaism to the younger ones in order for them to keep the covenant to God that their ancestors had made.

Nitzavim is all about people as individuals making a promise to God. Yet the covenant comes with the responsibility that each person will uphold their promise and educate future generations. It is extremely imperative for the future children of Israel to be informed of their responsibilities so that they can each individually accept the covenant upon themselves which will in turn help the whole entire nation of Israel keep their commitment to God.