Anxiety.
Worry.
Stress.
Fear.
These are just some of the many words that Jewish mothers would use to describe our current state as we embark on the ימים נוראים, the Days of Awe, that begin with ראש השנה, the Jewish New Year, and culminate with יום כפור, the Day of Atonement. This is a time when many of our people stand before Hashem in a state of pure vulnerability. We look for any means in which to help us decipher and process these moments. The Torah portions during these days provide us with the clarity that we seek.
This week’s Torah portion, פרשת נצבים, is either read on the Shabbat or Shabbat afternoon prior to beginning the recitation of סליחות, the additional prayers added during this time. These additional prayers highlight moments in our history that help to guide us on our individual and communal journey. We recall the moment of Hashem descending onto הר סיני, Mount Sinai, in preparation of the receiving of the Torah:
כְּיוֹם וַיֵֽרֶד יְהֺוָה בֶּעָנָן: תַּעֲבֺר עַל־פֶּֽשַׁע וְתִמְחֶה אָשָׁם. כְּיוֹם וַַיִּתְיַצֵּב עִמּוֹ שָׁם (שמות לד)
Just as Hashem came down in a cloud….and we stood amongst them there. (Shemot 34)
The Ba’al HaTurim - Rabbi Yaakov ben Asher, a medieval rabbinic authority known for his main work on Jewish law called Arbaah Turim - highlights the connection between the words of the סליחות and the first phrase of פרשת נצבים, between the words וַַיִּתְיַצֵּב and אַתֶּ֨ם נִצָּבִ֤ים הַיּוֹם֙ כֻּלְּכֶ֔ם. The Gemara in ראש השנה explains that Hashem stood together with us to reveal His 13 Attributes just as we stood together in the waning days of Moshe’s life.
The Torah’s word choice is always precise leading us to connect ideas and themes through the phrases used there within. We see both Hashem and the Jewish people standing in unison. What we are not clear on is whose standing preceded who and what significance that adds. Additionally, there are many words that we can use to describe being in a state of standing - עמידה וזקיפה - amongst others. Why is the word נצבים chosen here?
It is common that the first appearance of a word provides us the clearest and most concise understanding of the word’s usage and application. The first time we see the word נצב used is in the story of Yosef and his dreams. When Yosef is describing his dreams to his father, Yaakov, and his brothers he explains:
וְ֠הִנֵּ֠ה אֲנַ֜חְנוּ מְאַלְּמִ֤ים אֲלֻמִּים֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה וְהִנֵּ֛ה קָ֥מָה אֲלֻמָּתִ֖י וְגַם־נִצָּ֑בָה וְהִנֵּ֤ה תְסֻבֶּ֙ינָה֙ אֲלֻמֹּ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וַתִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖יןָ לַאֲלֻמָּתִֽ (בראשית לז)
And behold, we were binding sheaves of wheat and my sheaf stood up and also stood upright, and so did yours as they surrounded my sheaf, bowing down to it (Bereishit 37)
Yosef explains that his sheaf was standing up and also standing upright. What is the additional phrase of “also” adding? Rashi explains that it means that he stood up for a position with passion, dedication and unwavering resolve.
The beginning of תשובה, repentance, is contingent on us taking a stand, standing in a clear space. This process requires us to look within, define the actions that truly represent us and to take a clear stance on our עבודת ה, our service in the name of Hashem. At the time of the receiving of the Torah, Hashem did not join us on the mountain until we stood at its foot waiting for His arrival wholeheartedly invested in its vision for a world yet to come. We are reminded of that image when we express the 13 Attributes of Hashem during סליחות which acts as the foundation of the repentance process. It grounds us in the work we do during this time.
I am often taken aback by the transformation that our communities experience during these forthcoming weeks and how easily it can be lost in the return to a regular schedule of life. In one of Moshe’s last efforts to set the future generations on a path of religious fulfillment, he reminds us that if we do not stand for something we are doomed to stand for nothing at all.
This past week we saw our parent body rise up to the call and provide the financial support for our students to shine. Our Middle School celebrated a bar mitzvah and welcomed the 5th graders to join them in the recitation of סליחות while our Lower School shared in their final shofar blowings of the year. From the Rosh HaShanah book I read in ECE2 to the Pre-Rosh HaShanah Inspiration taking place on Friday for our Upper School, we are expressing our unwavering focus and dedication to the Jewish future through our commitment to Jewish education for generations to come. That commitment is revitalized each day with the smile on our children’s faces, the support of our parent volunteers and the wonderful humans that make up our school’s leadership.
We are proud to be RMBA. We are proud to show the world how we shine. We are proud to remind ourselves that our light can burn brighter each day. Our resolve is unbroken and unwavering. Our future is bright as we rewrite the stars in the image Hashem has set out for us and continues to as He walks alongside us on this journey.
We thank you and welcome you to walk beside us.
Shabbat Shalom and Shanah Tovah U’Metukah (Happy and Sweet New Year),
Rabbi Jordan Silvestri
Head of School