For the week ending 28 September 2019 / 28 Elul 5779
Parshat Nitzavim
Questions
- What is the connection between the verse "atem nitzavim" and the curses in the previous parsha?
- Who were the wood-choppers and water-carriers?
- Why can Hashem never "swap" the Jewish People for another nation?
- One who ignores the Torah's warnings "adds drunkenness to thirst." What does this mean?
- What two cities were destroyed along with S’dom and Amorah?
- "The hidden things are for Hashem, our
G-d , and the revealed things are for us..." What does this mean? - According to Rashi, how will the day of the ingathering of the exiles be "great and difficult?"
- Where is the Torah not to be found? Where is it to be found?
- When and where did the Jewish People become culpable for each other's sins?
- How do the earth and sky remind us to keep the mitzvahs?
All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated.
Answers
- 29:12 - The Jewish People asked, "Who can survive such curses?" Moshe responded, "You've done a lot to anger Hashem, and yet "atem nitzavim" — you are still standing before Him."
- 29:10 - Canaanites who joined the Jewish People under false pretenses.
- 29:12 - Because Hashem swore to their ancestors that He would never do so.
- 29:18 - He causes Hashem to reckon his unintentional sins alongside his intentional ones, punishing him for all.
- 29:22 - Admah and Tsevoyim.
- 29:28 - There is collective culpability only for "open" sins, but not for "hidden" ones.
- 30: 3 - It will be as if Hashem needs to take each individual by the hand and lead him out of exile.
- 30:12-15 - The Torah is not found in Heaven, nor is it across the ocean. Rather, it is "very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart."
- 30:28 - When they crossed the Jordan and accepted the oath on Mount Eval and Mount Grizim.
- 30:19 - The earth and heavenly bodies, although receiving neither reward nor punishment, always obey Hashem's will. How much more so should we, who stand to receive reward or punishment, obey Hashem.
