Nitzavim-Vayelech
Deut. 26:1 - 29:8
On this Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah, we read a Torah portion that uniquely prepares us for the work to be done during the High Holidays. In Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelech, Moses explains to the Israelites that if they rebel, God will forgive them. But there is a catch. They must recognize their shortcomings and seek to change their ways. If they make these changes and turn towards God, God will turn towards them and bring them back in love.
During this season of Teshuvah, repentance or “returning”, we are asked to evaluate our lives. We look internally at who we have been and eternally to who we want to become. Many of us right now can pinpoint specific ways in which we missed the mark during the past year. Confessing our sins on Yom Kippur we are easily able to put a mental check mark next to the errors we made. “For the sin we have committed against You by narrow-mindedness.” Check. “For the sin we have committed against You by arrogance.” Check. “For the sin we have committed against You by passing judgment on others.” Check. Item by item we confess our wrongdoings, asking God to forgive us for our errors and grant us atonement.
By the time we begin Neilah, the closing service of Yom Kippur, we have repeatedly recalled our transgressions and asked for forgiveness. But as this week’s parashah teaches, recognizing our mistakes is only one part of the process. To fully repent, we must also change our ways. Maimonides explains that after we recognize what we did wrong, we must regret our mistakes and resolve in our hearts to never act in this way again. Our character must be transformed for true repentance to be achieved. How do we know if teshuvah is fully achieved? Maimonides says that when we can confront the same situation, but this time do what is right, we have completed the process of teshuvah. We have returned to our best selves.
Coming to services on the High Holy Days is only part of the process. Through the words of our Machzor, our prayer book, we recognize our faults and ask for forgiveness. But the true work of these holidays comes after we leave the sanctuary. As we enter the new year, our actions must reflect the values we express in our prayers. If we are truly sorry for the errors we made, our behavior will show that not only do we acknowledge our mistakes but we have also cleansed ourselves of these destructive habits.
Join us on Saturday night for Selichot services as we begin the formal season of Teshuvah. These prayers for forgiveness prepare us for the intense soul searching we will undergo during the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe. Study session begins at 9:00 p.m., reception at 10:00 p.m. and service at 11:00 p.m.
Shabbat Shalom and Shanah Tovah
Rabbi Alissa Forrest
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