Parsha Netzavim
September 20, 2025/27 Elul 5786
Shabbat Shalom Kneseth Israel,
This week for the parsha of Nitzavim, I want to focus on the importance of listening to the Rabbi’s sermon (and hopefully enjoying it). I know you are thinking that this is just a ploy to get you to stay awake for the long speeches of the High Holidays (and it partly is) but stick with me a moment and you will see how the parsha teaches this.
The Midrash Rabbah begins the commentary on Netzavim with an exposition of “For this commandment that I command you today – it is not hidden from you, and it is not distant” (30:11). Although the commandment is not specified, as it states further (30:14) – “it is in your mouth and in your heart”. What commandment is in your mouth and in your heart? It is prayer which arises from your heart and is expressed through your mouth. The Midrash then connects prayer to Torah study by explaining the derivation by which we learn the requirement to say a blessing before and after reading the Torah, as we do each week.
The Sfas Emes (Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter 1847-1905) goes a step further by associating the mouth and heart with the Oral and Written Torah respectively. As we say our blessings over our Torah reading, we also open both our hearts and mouths to the words we are learning. The Talmud in Megillah (21b) noted the practice in Mishnaic times was to employ an interpreter during the Torah reading to translate into the vernacular Aramaic, as well as to provide words of commentary. And it was required for the reader to pause to allow translation!
To me this really emphasizes the importance of understanding what we are reading, not just performing with our mouths but understanding with our hearts. That is the role of the sermon and this edition of Parsha Power, not just to gain Torah knowledge but to internalize it and make it functional in our being. This week’s parsha is short so I will end with a proverb of my wife’s people, the Igbo, a people of Jewish ancestry and filled with wise and humorous sayings “ogologo okwu adiro n’uka ngbede” – long sermons are not needed in evening services. Essentially this means, get to the point!
Good Shabbos and an upcoming Shanah Tovah,
Rabbi Josh
This week for the parsha of Nitzavim, I want to focus on the importance of listening to the Rabbi’s sermon (and hopefully enjoying it). I know you are thinking that this is just a ploy to get you to stay awake for the long speeches of the High Holidays (and it partly is) but stick with me a moment and you will see how the parsha teaches this.
The Midrash Rabbah begins the commentary on Netzavim with an exposition of “For this commandment that I command you today – it is not hidden from you, and it is not distant” (30:11). Although the commandment is not specified, as it states further (30:14) – “it is in your mouth and in your heart”. What commandment is in your mouth and in your heart? It is prayer which arises from your heart and is expressed through your mouth. The Midrash then connects prayer to Torah study by explaining the derivation by which we learn the requirement to say a blessing before and after reading the Torah, as we do each week.
The Sfas Emes (Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter 1847-1905) goes a step further by associating the mouth and heart with the Oral and Written Torah respectively. As we say our blessings over our Torah reading, we also open both our hearts and mouths to the words we are learning. The Talmud in Megillah (21b) noted the practice in Mishnaic times was to employ an interpreter during the Torah reading to translate into the vernacular Aramaic, as well as to provide words of commentary. And it was required for the reader to pause to allow translation!
To me this really emphasizes the importance of understanding what we are reading, not just performing with our mouths but understanding with our hearts. That is the role of the sermon and this edition of Parsha Power, not just to gain Torah knowledge but to internalize it and make it functional in our being. This week’s parsha is short so I will end with a proverb of my wife’s people, the Igbo, a people of Jewish ancestry and filled with wise and humorous sayings “ogologo okwu adiro n’uka ngbede” – long sermons are not needed in evening services. Essentially this means, get to the point!
Good Shabbos and an upcoming Shanah Tovah,
Rabbi Josh
