Dvar Torah Parashat Nitzavim / Rosh Hashana

Dedicated in Honor of my Eshet Chayil Wife, Celia

By Saul Cohen

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Parashat Nitzavim / Rosh Hashanah

Chinuch

Rabbi Frand teaches that Parashat Nitzavim provides an important lesson in chinuch—raising children with Torah. It says, “The hidden things are for Hashem, but the revealed things are for us and for our children forever, to carry out all the words of this Torah (Devarim 29:28).” A person must always realize that how he acts will have an influence on his children. Whether it is how a person acts in shul or how he interacts with his fellow man, his children are watching and learning from this behavior.

The job we do raising our children lasts with them and perpetuates throughout future generations, because how we raise them directly influences how they raise their children. Everyone wants to have “good children.” The surest way to accomplish that is to “talk the talk and walk the walk.”

Someone once posed the following question to the Chazon Ish. He had the option of praying in a shul on Rosh Hashanah where he would be able to take his child with him or to pray in a yeshivah, but since the yeshivah is so crowded, he would not be able to take his child with him. However, praying in the yeshivah is a superior religious experience for the father, because he would have greater kavanah. The Chazon Ish told him that it is preferable to pray with his child next to him. It is important to show the child how his father prays on the High Holidays. This leaves an everlasting impression on the child.

The way one acts has an impact not only on the person but also on his children and on all future generations of descendants. This should give everyone pause as to how they behave.

Still Standing

The parasha begins with the passuk, “Atem nitzavim hayom kull’achem lifnei Hashem Elokechem. – You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem your God.” Moshe is telling B’nei Yisrael, “You made it! You came through the desert for 40 years and you reached your destination! Israel is just beyond the Jordan River.” Rashi presents a midrash that explains why Moshe spoke these words right after last week’s parasha, Ki Tavo, listed all the klalot—curses which will befall B’nei Yisrael if they deviate from the words of the Torah. The reason is that when B’nei Yisrael heard the 98 curses, they turned pale, asking, “Who could possibly endure these curses?” This verse is the reply with which Moshe appeased them. He assured them that they are still standing and ready to accept their role as G-d's chosen people.

Rabbi Frand questions what Moshe Rabbenu is doing here. This appeasement appears to be contradictory. The whole purpose of the curses was to put the fear of G-d in the people. The curses were very effective; the people were scared stiff. He accomplished what every leader wants to accomplish — he shook them up, but now he seems to be undoing the whole thing. “Don’t worry, you’ve gotten away with a lot in the past, and you’re still standing…” Doesn’t this destroy the whole impact of the tocheha—rebuke?

Many commentaries direct us to a very simple truth. There is a vast difference between the ‘fear of G-d’ and hopelessness. It is one thing to be afraid and frightened and nervous about the future. It is a totally different thing to feel that the situation is hopeless. That is what Moshe was trying to prevent. The worst thing any Jew can do is to give up hope. This is a lesson we should all bear in mind as we approach the Day of Judgment. The Yom HaDin is nothing to take lightly. It is serious business. If we really understood what it was about, we would be scared and frightened. But this is not the same as looking at the situation as hopeless. Hopelessness is not a Jewish characteristic. Never give up hope. Our rabbis tell us that after the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash, “All the Gates (which prayers travel through) were closed, except for the Gates of Tears (Bava Metzia 59a).” Although it was much more difficult for our prayers to penetrate the Heavenly Court after the destruction of the Temple, one gate remained open because we still had hope.

The Kotzker Rebbe asked, if the Gates of Tears never close, then what is the purpose of the gates? A gate implies that some get in and some do not. He answered that tears of desperation don’t get through. When a person cries because he feels he needs the help of G-d, when the tears represent the innermost and purest of a person’s thoughts, those tears have terrific power. But if they are tears of helplessness and hopelessness, they don’t get in, and that is why the gates are necessary.

Rosh Hashanah is approaching next week, and we are still standing! Hashem will determine whether to grant us a healthy and prosperous year. There's a Gemara in Masechet Rosh Hashanah (18a), that discusses two people who are suffering with the same exact life-threatening illness and two others who are dealing with the same exact financial crisis. The two who have the disease pray to Hashem for a refuah. The two who have the financial problem pray for parnassah. One person in each situation is answered and the other one is not.

So the question is asked, “Why was one answered and the other one not answered?” Rashi answers, explaining that one prayed with kavanah—concentration, and the other one didn't. Rabbi Lopian comments that it’s impossible that a person who is sick with a life-threatening disease or someone with a financial crisis will not pray with great kavanah from his heart! Rabbi Lopian answers, that what Rashi is saying is that one person didn't really believe in the power of tefillah to help him and the other one did. If you believe that tefillah will help and you’re optimistic and not hopeless, those prayers are answered. Hashem will come to your rescue!

$1.37

Rabbi Yehoshua Nissan told an amazing story about a jewelry store owner who had some interesting customers come into his store one day. The owner was behind the counter when three small children walked in. Their heads barely reached the counter as they stood on their tiptoes, pointed to the case, and said, “We would like this necklace, please. How much is it?” The jewelry store had hundreds of thousands of dollars in inventory, and the necklace was over $3,000.

The store owner looked at the children with their piggy banks at the ready, and said, “Who are you buying this beautiful necklace for?” The oldest child said, “Our mother is very very sick. She’s been in the hospital for a long time, and she’s not able to take care of us. But our older sister has been like our Mommy, and she’s taking us to school and making us dinner and tucking us into bed at night. We would really really like to buy her something very special. We took all our money that we saved and put it together so we can buy her a present.”

The jewelry store owner, so touched, took the piggy banks from the children, and counted $1.37. He wrapped up the necklace, and said, “This is perfect, it’s just the right amount. Please give this to your sister.” The kids were overjoyed, giggling excitedly when they left the store.

Sure enough, a few hours later, a teenage girl walked into the jewelry store with a bag in hand. She said to the owner, “Hi, my young siblings were in here earlier. Obviously, there’s been a mistake. I’m so sorry. Please take this necklace back.” The owner of the store said, “Nope! That necklace was paid in full. I can’t take it back.” The girl did not understand, and she protested, “This piece costs thousands of dollars! There’s no way they had that kind of money. Please take it back; we don’t need charity. Thank you.”

The owner said again, “That necklace was paid in full. They paid $1.37 in cash, and $3,000 in heart. That’s $3,000 of actions and sentiment, $3,000 of love for their sister. I refuse to take it back. Please enjoy it.”

On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we approach Hashem with our measly $1.37. We say, “Please Hashem, I have $1.37, what can I get with this?” And Hashem looks to see if we scrounged for that $1.37, if we searched high and low with good intentions. And He accepts it as $1 million of effort, of heart, of dedication to Hashem.

There’s a story written in Torah Wellsprings by Rabbi Biderman. Around forty years ago, two bachurim got lost in a forest and couldn’t find their way out. But they did find railroad tracks, so they decided to follow them, certain that the tracks would lead them out of the forest. After a while, they got tired, so they lay down to sleep. One boy slept on the side of the tracks, and one bachur accidentally fell asleep on the tracks.

Suddenly, a freight train carrying timber came roaring down the tracks. The engineer saw a person on the tracks but couldn’t stop the train in time, so he desperately yanked on the train’s whistle. The loud sound woke the boy who slept at the side of the tracks, but the bachur on the tracks didn’t wake up and, unfortunately, didn’t survive. If he just stepped one inch off the tracks he would’ve been saved.

When it comes to teshuvah, Hashem isn’t waiting for us to make significant changes in our lives all at once. He wants us to move just one inch away from where we are now, and that small move could make all the difference.

A White Ribbon

Years had passed since Daniel left home. He hadn’t planned to vanish. One bad choice spiraled into another — school fights, petty theft, nights in a juvenile center, and eventually, a prison sentence for a crime he barely remembered committing. Each step pulled him further from the quiet farmhouse where he’d been raised, the smell of cinnamon bread on Sundays, his mother’s warm laugh, his father’s silent strength.

They’d written at first. He hadn’t replied. Shame is a heavy thing; it silences the heart more than chains ever could. But now, eight years later, Daniel was coming home. Not with certainty, though. He’d written a letter to his mother — short, scribbled in trembling script:

“If you still want me, tie a white ribbon to the old oak tree at the end of the drive. If there’s no ribbon, I’ll keep riding the bus. No questions. I’ll understand.”

Now, the bus was nearing the turn. He sat stiffly, his fingers clutched around the frayed strap of his bag. The old man beside him, seeing the sweat on Daniel’s brow and the twitch in his leg, asked gently, “You alright, son?”

Daniel hesitated, then blurted, “I haven’t been home in eight years. I messed up bad. I asked them to tie a white ribbon on the oak tree if they’d take me back. We’re almost there. I can’t look.”

The old man nodded, understanding. “I’ll look for you,” he offered.

The bus slowed. The curve came. Silence. Then the old man gasped — a hand over his heart. “Son… there’s not just one ribbon.” Daniel turned. The great oak tree was ablaze with white. Not just a ribbon, but dozens — hundreds. Sheets, streamers, strips of cloth, pillowcases — anything white, fluttering like wings in the breeze. The tree looked like it had been dressed by angels.

At the end of the driveway stood two figures — older now, grayer, but unmistakable. His mother. His father. Waiting. Arms wide.

Our father in Heaven is waiting for us do return to Him and do teshuvah. May we all remember to take advantage of the golden opportunity we have during Rosh Hashanah, to pray to Hashem, to do teshuvah, and to ask for anything, even if it seems impossible. May we witness the incredible miracles of Hashem answering our prayers for the good. May we try our hardest to scrounge for our $1.37 and take baby steps to slowly but surely achieve true teshuvah. May we listen to the sound of the shofar announcing Mashiach’s arrival soon!

Wishing Everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Fulfilling Year of Accomplishments, Mitzvot and Maasim Tovim! Amen!

Shabbat Shalom and Shanah Tovah!

Rabbi Amram Sananes, written by Jack Rahmey

Discussion Point:

Are we taking this golden opportunity for granted? Do we remember that we are standing directly before Hashem on Rosh Hashanah?

This book is a compilation of Divre Torah from the weekly parasha classes from Rabbi Sananes’ teachings over the last 10 years along with my own experiences in those classes which has stimulated my Torah growth. I’ve included many pertinent stories and life lessons to grow from at your Shabbat table. There’s also questions and discussion points at the end of each Parasha to stimulate a Torah conversation at your Shabbat table for the whole family to participate in. Also, included is a holidays section at the end of the book to use for all of our special holidays and Yomiim Toviim.



Now available in all Jewish bookstores and Amazon! Scan the barcode on the right to purchase from Amazon.

Rabbi Sananes and I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Sincerely, Rabbi Amram Sananes and Jack E. Rahmey

AmramSananes@me.com and jrahmey@rahmeyfinancial.com (917-226-6276)

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Le’ilui Nishmat…

Eliyahu Ben Rachel

Rabbi Shimon Chay Ben Yaasher

Avraham Ben Garaz

Sarah Bat Chanah

Esther Bat Sarah

Avraham Ben Mazal

Shulamit Bat Helaina

Rabbi Meyer Ben Chana

Rahamim Ben Mazal

Batsheva Bat Sarah Esther

Rafael Ben Miriam

Ovadia Ben Esther

Rav Haim Ben Rivka

Moshe Ben Mazal

Moshe Ben Yael

Yitzchak Ben Adele

Avraham Ben Mazal

Meir Ben Latifa

Chanah Bat Esther

Yaakov Ben Rachel

Malka Bat Garaz

Moshe Ben Garaz

Avraham Ben Kami

Yaakov Ben Leah

Mordechai Ben Rachel

Chacham Shaul Rachamim Ben Mazal

Natan Ben Rachel

Saadia Ben Miriam

Eliyah Ben Latifa Simhon

Margalit Bat Mazal

Ovadia Haim Ben Malaky

Rabbi Aharon Chaim Ben Ruchama

Luratte Bat Masouda

Esther Bat Menucha

Uri Ben Rahel

Rivka Bat Dona

Shalom Ben Zahra

Rachel Bat Sarah

Shalom Ben Zahra

Chava Yvette Bat Jamile

Refuah Shelemah…

Rachel Bat Devorah

Gimol Sarah Ester Bat Batsheva

Haim Ben Miriam

Rachmim Ben Leah

Anyone interested in dedicating this Divre Torah Le'ilui Nishmat or Refuah Shelemah or In Honor of someone, can email me at

jrahmey@rahmeyfinancial.com. Checks can be made out to “A Life of Torah” for $101 and mailed to 2387 Ocean Ave Suite 1G, Brooklyn, NY 11229 (please put in the memo “Divre Torah”). Anyone interested in past parshiot please go to the website ParashaPerspective.org

RF | Jack E Rahmey | Brooklyn, NY 11229 US