September 19, 2025
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA
Parshat Nitzavim takes place right before Moshe Rabbeinu finishes giving his final speech to Bnei Yisrael. All the Jewish people are standing together: men, women, children, leaders, workers, and even the woodcutters and water carriers. Moshe tells them that they are all standing before Hashem to make a special brit (covenant or promise) with Him. This brit means that the Jewish people promise to always be Hashem’s nation and follow His Torah, and Hashem promises to always be their loving and caring G-d.
ONE BIG IDEA
In Parshat Nitzavim, Moshe tells Bnei Yisrael that the Torah isn’t far away it’s not in the sky or across the sea. It’s very close, “in your mouth and in your heart to do it.” This means that every Jew can keep the Torah, and Hashem knows we can do it! He doesn’t ask us to do things that are too hard. When we try our best to pray, learn Torah, and help others, we are doing what Hashem wants. Even small mitzvot, like being kind or saying a short prayer, are very important and special in Hashem’s eyes. Every good choice we make brings us closer to Him!
Moshe reminds the people that they are about to enter Eretz Yisrael (Israel), and it’s very important that they don’t follow the ways of the nations that worship idols. If they turn away from Hashem, bad things might happen. But Moshe also gives them hope: even if they make mistakes and go far from Hashem, they can always do teshuvah: return to Hashem with their hearts and do better. Hashem will always take them back with love. Moshe tells Bnei Yisrael that keeping the Torah is not too hard. He says, “It is not in the sky or across the sea.” This means the Torah is close to us, and we can all learn it and follow it with our hearts and actions.
At the end of the parsha, Moshe gives a powerful message: “I have placed before you life and good, and death and bad. Choose life!” He is telling us that we should always make good choices: doing mitzvot, learning Torah, being kind, and listening to Hashem. Parshat Nitzavim teaches us that every Jew is important, and we all have a part in the Torah. No matter who we are or where we’ve been, Hashem wants us to come close to Him. The Torah is not far away. It’s right here, in our mouths and hearts, just waiting for us to learn it and live by it!
Candle-lighting: 6:40pm
Havdalah: 7:33pm
allah: 5:25pm
CHECKLIST
To be filled out after shabbat and brought to school
I called ________________________ to wish them a “Shabbat Shalom”
I went to ________________ shul (synagogue)
I did the Shabbat mitzvah of_______________
________ Hadlakat Nerot/Kiddush/Hamotzi/ Birkat Hamazon
I sang zemirot/songs
Iwore__________________ in honor of Shabbat
To prepare my home for shabbat, I Set the table/ cleaned my room/Took a shower/bath
UPCOMING EVENTS & BIRTHDAYS
9/22-9/24 Rosh Hashana
No school
9/25 Tzom Gedalia: Fast Day
9/29 & 9/30 Tashlich Trips to Central Park Reservoir
10/1-10/2 Yom Kippur
No school
Happy Birthday to:
9/20 Samantha E Harari (2)
9/23 Henry Leinwand (2)
9/23 Yannai Gamlieli (4)