WRJ Voices: Nitzavim- Vayelech

Each year on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah and the morning of Yom Kippur, we read Parashiyot: Nitzavim and Vayelech. The parashah takes place on the very last day of Moses’ life. The Israelites have come to the Jordan River, ready to enter into the Promised Land, and they are met with another challenge. Moses calls them together and tells them they have a choice: “And Moses called into Israel, and said unto them: Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt and unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants and unto all his land; the great trials which thine eyes say, the signs and those great wonders; but the LORD had not given you a heart to know, and eyes to see and ears to hear, unto this day.”

Until this day, G-d told the Israelites what to do. Now everyone is given a choice to enter into a Brit (covenant) with G-d to follow commandments and statutes, or face the consequences. “For this commandment which I command this day, it is not too hard for thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven … neither is it beyond the sea ....” No one needs to bring you the answer from afar. “But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” It is now up to each of us to decide for ourselves what is the right thought, action.

But we have been following Moses all these 40 years—how can we possibly remember everything that we are supposed to do without him? G-d understands that dilemma. As Joshua is chosen by G-d to replace Moses to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, God directs Moses to write a song that each person can tell their children, to ensure the covenant will be remembered. “And Moses spoke in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song until they were finished.” And with that, the word and the responsibility was passed to each individual.

Each year, we reconsider our covenant with G-d. It is not the words of the Torah alone, it is the song in our hearts and souls.

Each year, our sisterhood reflects on our mission, which is our covenant with our members, to ensure that it is incorporated into each of our programs.

• To create a strong sense of community for all women in an environment of friendship, leadership, intellectual growth and Jewish spirituality,
• To enrich our Temple family through caring and supportive programs that further our Jewish ideals,
• To advance social justice through advocacy and action and promote WRJ programs of service for Jewish and humanitarian causes.  

Each year, as we bring apples (and honey) to the classrooms and the bema, we also deliver apples to the food pantry to ensure that those in need are recognized and assisted.

Each year we recommit to our covenant with G-d to create a just and caring world.

May each of you and your sisterhoods embrace this opportunity to stand together as Jewish women, entering once again into a Brit with G-d, reaffirming what is in our hearts and souls and working towards the dignity and welfare of each and every individual. 

Lillian Burkenheim Silver is a WRJ board member and a member of Temple Beth Hillel in Valley Village, CA.