Parashat Nitzavim-Vayeilech
Rabbi’s Drosh
Dear friends,
Usually we do not read these two Parashot together. We only read them together when Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat, as is the case this year.
"Nitzavim is always read before Rosh Hashanah. As it says, “You all stand today before Hashem“. It symbolises that we all stand before Hashem on Rosh Hashanah as we renew our covenant with Him every year.
Vayeilech is usually read the Shabbat before Yom Kippur (Shabbat Tshuva). It starts with Moshe moving amongst the people of Israel. At 120 years old, he is actively going and teaching the words of the Torah, even though he knows he is coming to the end of his life.
The names of the Parashot are actually a contraction in a way. Nitzavim means “Stand“ and Vayeilech means “Move“. How is it possible to stand and move at the same time?
This year perhaps we can understand this better than any other year. On the one hand it is impossible to plan anything. We have to stand still and wait to see how things will pan out literally days before Rosh Hashanah. Will we be able to gather together in Shul or will we have to stand before Hashem at home?
On the other hand we must keep moving, like Moshe. He did not give up on the hope that the people could change, even if he would not get to see the change within his lifetime. We must stand and move at the same . This means sitting with uncertainty while planning the way to move forward. The way to move forward is to invest in our T’fillah - whether it is in the Shul or in our homes.
The future of the year ahead depends on the power of our prayers. We have the awesome ability to shape the future with our words.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Friedler
The Friedlers’ Highlights
Representing the Community with our Mini-Minyanim
Thank you to those who made up level 2.5 minyanim for Shabbat and Sunday this week. We really felt that we were representing you all at the services and look forward to being back in Shul altogether when we are permitted to.
Upcoming Special Event - A Night to Unite
We have been working with colleagues at the Rabbinical Association of Australasia preparing a special Australasian High-Holy-Days event on Zoom on the 22nd of September at 6pm. Amongst the exciting line-up of speakers is our very own Debbitzen! Details to follow next week.
Inspecting Factories in Napier
We were back to the skies with Kosher Kiwi this week. It felt like Purim with everyone wearing masks on the plane - pity there was no inflight Hamentashen!
Shana Tova from Arataki
I was with our friends at Arataki Honey this week. These long-standing Kosher Kiwi Clients wish us Shana Tova U’metuka and hope we enjoy dipping apples in their honey!
Rabbi’s Class Zooms On
Class members joined us on Zoom for a text-based class for an in-depth look at the Mitzvah of Bikorim (bringing the first fruits) as a way to make a tikkun (correction or repair) for the sin of the spies and Cain's sin.
Level 2.5 Practices
We are taking advantage of level 2.5 getting ready for the upcoming Bar Mitzvahs in the Shul. This gives the Bar Mitzvah boys a chance to have experience practicing reading directly from the Torah as they prepare for their big days.