Ask anyone how many principles of Jewish faith there are, and the answer is almost certain to be thirteen. That is a mark of the influence of Moses Maimonides, who was the first to formulate the Jewish creed in this way. The principles are taken from his Commentary to the Mishnah, in his introduction to chapter 10 of the tractate…
…encounter with God in order to welcome passers-by. This is the basis of the rule – no mere figure of speech but meant categorically – that gedolah hachnassat orchim mi-kabbalat pnei ha-Shechfinah, “Greater is hospitality than welcoming the Divine presence.” One of the Hassidic masters put it beautifully. When Abraham first saw his visitors they were “standing above him” (nitzavim…
…when it comes disguised as three anonymous passers-by. That was Abraham’s greatness. He knew that serving God and offering hospitality to strangers were not two things but one. One of the most beautiful comments on this episode was given by R. Shalom of Belz who noted that in verse 2, the visitors are spoken of as standing above Abraham [nitzavim…
At the end of his life, having given the Israelites 612 commands (mitzvot), Moses is instructed to give them the last; command number 613: Now therefore write down for yourselves this song, and teach it to the people of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be my witness within the people of Israel. Deut. 31:19 According…
…unique political theory. You know that President Rivlin has spoken about the four minorities in Israel, the chilonim, the dati’im leumi’im, the charedim and the Palestinians who have no shared narrative. That means there has to be a renewal of the Covenant. You do that. The Covenant was renewed by Moses at the end of his life, in parshat Nitzavim….
…encamping, walking and standing still, is part of the rhythm of Jewish life. There is a time for Nitzavim, standing, and a time for Vayelekh, moving on. Rav Kook spoke of the two symbols in Bilaam’s blessing, “How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your dwelling places, Israel.” Tents are for people on a journey. Dwelling places are for people…
…there to serve you. KI TEITSE: Never be in too much of a rush to stop and come to the aid of someone in need of help. KI TAVO: Make sure the story you tell is one that speaks to your highest aspirations, and tell it regularly. NITZAVIM: Don’t wait for the world to get better. Take the initiative yourself….
…and offering hospitality to strangers were not two things but one. In one of the most beautiful comments on this episode, Rabbi Shalom of Belz notes that in verse 2, the visitors are spoken of as standing above Abraham (nitzavim alav), while in verse 8, Abraham is described as standing above them (omed aleihem). At first, the visitors were higher…
SUBMIT A REFLECTION FEATURED STORY I teach high school English at a Jewish day school in America. When Rabbi Sacks spent the day at our school, the administration hosted a special luncheon with some of the teachers and Rabbi Sacks. During the luncheon, the teachers were given the opportunity to ask the Chief Rabbi their questions. One teacher asked Rabbi…
…Masei Devarim (Deuteronomy) With the book of Deuteronomy, Devarim, the entire biblical project becomes lucid and reaches its culmination. Deuteronomy is the last act of the Jewish people’s drama before becoming a nation in its own land, and it forms the context of all that follows. Devarim Va’etchanan Eikev Re’eh Shoftim Ki Teitse Ki Tavo Nitzavim Vayelech Ha’azinu Vezot Habracha…