Sunday, September 1, 2013

Nitsavim/Va-yelekh (Deut 29:9-31:30)

Life Cycles
            This week has us reading a double parasha of Nitsavim and Va-yelekh. It covers Moses preparing for his death and for Joshua to take over as the new leader. Moses accepts that he won’t be entering the Promised Land with grace, realizing the blessings he has already seen and experienced and that life goes on.

            So, too, does Judaism revolve cyclically. Calendar-wise, our holidays bring joy, remembrance, and renewal. For each of us, from baby-naming to bnai mitzvah to keeping mitzvot in life and to our deaths, there is the Jewish life cycle. Rather than curse when something doesn’t go as planned, sing a song of praise as Moses did.

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