Nitzavim Vayelech
Rabbi Jablinowitz
In the beginning of this week's parsha Moshe Rabbeinu gathers Bnei Yisrael together on the day of his death in order to bring them into a covenant with Hahsem. The commentators point out that there is a mention of the general public in the first pasuk, Atem Nitzavim Hayom Kulchem. You are all standing together before Gd. And then the Torah continues and mentions the particulars; the different members of Clal Yisrael, ranging from the elders and the heads of the tribes to the simple wood choppers and water carriers. What is the significance of including all the individuals separately after the Torah indicates that all of Clal Yisrael was present?
There is a well known Rashi on the words in Shiras Hayam (Chapter 15, Pasuk 2), Zeh Keili V'Anveihu, Raha'sah Shifchah al Hayam Mah Shelo Ra'ah Ben Buzi. During the splitting of the Red Sea, there was such a high level of prophecy and connection to Hashem that a simple maid servant saw on a level which the prophet Yechezkel in later times would not reach. The words in the pasuk Zeh Keili, this is my Gd, is understood as a pointing to, an intimacy expressed by being able to point out and "see" Hashem, in a matter of speaking.
A similar idea is expressed in the Gemara at the very end of Ta'anis. The Gemara in Ta'anis 31A states that in the end of days Hashem will make a "Machol", a circle, for the tzadikim and Gd will, so to speak, sit with them and all will point with their finger and say, Zeh Hashem Kivinu Lo, this is Hashem I will rejoice in Him. Once again, the high level of prophecy and intimacy is expressed by pointing at and "seeing", similar to that which occurred at Keriyas Yam Suf.
Rav Tzadok HaKohen teaches that there is another common thread running between these two comments of Chazal. When we read that even a simple maid servant had prophecy, it's an expression of the unity of Clal Yisrael. No one was greater than the next; each person achieved the same level. And this unity is expressed in the Gemara in Ta'anis as well. Though the Gemara speaks of a circle of tzadikim, all members of Clal Yisrael are considered tzadikim and have a portion in the world to come, as the pasuk states in Yeshayahu (Chapter 60, Pasuk 21), V'Ameich Kulam Tzadikim L'Olam Yirshu Artez. And he adds that the notion of a circle of everyone together also indicates a unity and equality. There are no levels; all of those in the circle are the same distance from the center.
This is the same idea in our parsha. After listing the different individuals who make up the members of the nation, the pasuk ends with the words Kol Ish Yisrael, every man in Israel. This indicates that though each one has a different task, by virtue of being members of the nation, they are considered as one, like the tzadikim in the circle. And when the pasuk states that they are all standing before Gd, Lifnei Hashem Elokeichem, this is the similar to when Bnei Yisrael pointed before Hashem at Yam Suf and said Zeh Keili. The unity and intimacy came together at the establishment of the Bris with Hashem.
In addition to the individual judgment on Rosh Hashanah, part of our judgment is whether we see ourselves as part of the Clal, as part of the tzibuur of Clal Yisrael. And as we have explained, the unity of Clal Yisrael achieves great intimacy and closeness with Hashem. The last few months have been difficult ones for our nation, but have also shown great closeness and unity among our people. In the merit of our continued achdus and unity, may we all merit to be inscribed in the book of life, and merit to be able to point our fingers and say, Zeh Hashem Kivinu Lo Nagilah V'Nismachah B'Yeshuaso.
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