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NITZAVIM / VAYELECH

12 Sep 2009

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Isaiah 61:10-63:9

Isaiah 55:6-56:8

Rom.7:7-12

Rom.10:1-13

 

In the plains of Moab, Moshe has gathered together the children of Israel from the least to the greatest (Deut 29:9-12).  You are standing today, all of you, before HaShem, your G-d.  The heads of your tribes, your elders and officers, all the men of Israel; your small children, your women, and your proselyte who is in the midst of your camp, from the hewer of your wood to the drawer of your water, in order to establish you today as a people to Him and that He be a G-d to you…

G-d is telling us that He has established a relationship, a covenant with us.  At this time of year, we are given a time of deep introspection.  We think about where we stand with HaShem, with our family and our neighbors.

With the High Holy Days in mind, let the Scriptures speak!  Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm!  (Joel 2:1)  Rend your hearts and not your garments and return to the L-rd, your G-d, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness.

This should be a time of reflection in knowing that we have to be aware that our time here could be taken at any moment (Ecclesiastes 9:12).  We must come to HaShem now. This time and season tells us to rend our heart and come to Him who loves us and cares for us; not only us who are called by His name but also the entire world (John 3:16).  At this time we need to come to Him and declare total devotion to love G-d with all of our hearts, share the love of HaShem, (love our neighbors) share His light (1John 1:5), and invite those that G-d brings to you with a true and caring heart to His banquet (Luke 14:12-15).

During this time of introspection and promise, let us pray for ourselves, our nation, to turn back to G-d (T’shuva) , and share love and kindness with those HaShem brings across our path.  Our prayer is that this coming Rosh HaShanah would be a time of deep reflection and of showing sincere love and care for all.

Shavua Tov and L’Shanah Tova

Rabbi Z.

 

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