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Writer's pictureRabbi Howard Silverman

Weekly D'rash Nitzavim-Vayelech

Lifting up the Torah scroll at the Western wall for Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah (Rejoicing with the Torah), following Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)

The High Holy Days are upon us and it is the time to pause and reflect on the past

year and move forward into 5785. Much emphasis is placed on personal and

communal spiritual renewal. We will hear the shofar, which is a wake-up call for

us to seek forgiveness from God and others. We will fast on Yom Kippur. We will

offer words of confession as well as thanksgiving for the atonement we have in

Messiah Yeshua. On Sukkot, we will rejoice over the abundance of blessing and

provision from God.


Our Torah portion for this week provides insight into another kind of reflection

that is healthy at this time of year. In Deuteronomy 31:10–13, Moses commands

that the Torah be read aloud at Sukkot every seven years. It was to serve as a

form of covenant reminder, renewal, and affirmation for the people present.

However, verse 13 adds an additional reason for reading the Torah: “Their

children, who have not known, will hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as

long as you live on the land which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.”

They were to read the Torah every seven years so that their future descendants

would know both their history and covenant calling. The verse also says that this

would be the case as long as they live in the land. This was to be their legacy.


What legacy are we leaving for the future? We are excited about our plans to

upgrade our building. Hopefully, one year from now our sanctuary will have a

distinctive look that will enhance the atmosphere of our worship. From there, we

will continue renovations throughout the synagogue. The goal is to provide

future generations with the structure and infrastructure to continue our calling of

being a light of Messiah to the Jewish community and the community at large.

But that is not enough. We must ensure that the Word of God is taught,

practiced, and modeled so that future generations will continue the work of

making disciples, sharing the good news of Messiah Yeshua, and growing Messiah

followers to spiritual maturity.


During this season of repentance, restoration, and rejoicing, may we commit to

continue to inculcate the Word of God into ourselves and our children. May we

continue to look for opportunities to share the good news of Yeshua. May we pay

particular attention to educating and modeling spirituality to our youth. This

includes everything from our giving, to our serving, to our personal devotional

life. In this way, we are not only enhancing the present, but ensuring a future for

a Messianic testimony in our city and the world.


Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard

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