Summary of parashat Nitzavím
The section on Nitzavím (steadfast ones) contains some of the most fundamental principles of the Jewish faith:
The unity of the Jewish people: "All of you stand today before God, your God, the heads of your tribes, the elders, the officers, all the men of Israel; the children, the women, the stranger who lives among you; from the woodcutter to the water carrier.".
The future redemption: Moses warns of the exile and desolation of the land that will occur if the people abandon Divine laws. However, he then prophesies that, in the end, "You will return to God... Even if your exiles are at the ends of the heavens, from there God will gather you... and bring you to the land your ancestors possessed.".
The practicality of the Torah: For this commandment that I am giving you today is not too far from you, nor is it distant. It is not in heaven... It is not beyond the sea... On the contrary, it is very near to you, in your mouth, in your heart, so that you may put it into practice.
Free will: "Look, I set before you today, life and good, death and evil... And you will choose life.".
