Weekly Torah Lesson
Parasha: Nitzavim – ‘you are standing’
Torah: Devarim 29:10 – 30:20
** Moshe has spent the past twenty nine chapters reviewing, with a few minor changes, the “intent” of the Torah (instructions) that are found in the preceding four books. He has made clear several times that the instructions that are in this book are in addition to the instructions detailed in the previous books. Today’s lesson describes a change in the way the entire Torah will be presented to future generations.
You stand this day all of you before Avinu Elohekah; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel, 11 Your little ones, your wives, and your stranger that is in your camp, from the hewer of your wood to the drawer of your water: 12 That you should enter into covenant with Avinu Elohekah, and into his oath, which Avinu Elohekah makes with you this day: 13 That he may establish you to day for a people to himself, and that he may be to you Elohim, as he has said to you, and as he has sworn to your fathers, to Avraham, to Yitzak, and to Ya’akov. 14 Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath; 15 But with him that stands here with us this day before Avinu Eloheinu, and also with him that is not here with us this day: (De 29:10-15)
10 And Moshe commanded them, saying: “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, 11 “when all Israel comes to appear before Avinu Elohekah in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 “Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear Avinu Elohekah and carefully observe all the words of this law, 13 “and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear Avinu Elohekah as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess. (De 31:10-13)
** As long as Israel was living in the land that Avinu gave to them, the covenant was to be “renewed” every seven years. The “New Covenant” that some refer to has been offered in an abridged version to a select few known as the “Firstfruits”. It includes better access to the Mercy Seat and a different priesthood. It will be introduced “in masse” when Yeshua returns to establish Avinu’s kingdom on earth.
Leave a Reply