The sections read this week in the Torah are called Nitzavim (Standing Firm) and Vaielech (And He Went). Since all matters from a Jewish perspective are not random but significant, we should learn something from this connection. It seems to make no sense: standing firm (Nitzavim) is the opposite of walking (Vaiielech): how can these sections be joined together?
The answer is directly linked to the month of Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah and the holidays of Tishrei. It is a month of reckoning: just as a merchant takes stock of their annual income and expenses to understand their current situation and how to approach their work for the coming year, during the month of Elul, every Jew takes stock of what has happened throughout the year in terms of income (mitzvot performed) and expenses (God forbid) to understand their current situation and how they can improve for the coming year.
It seems like a waste of time! Instead of keeping the business open and selling, he decides to close his doors and count his merchandise! However, closing the doors and pausing for a moment is the step before growth.
This is the lesson we learn when the sections of Nitzavím and Vaiélej are together: in order to reach Vaiélej - to advance, one must pass through Nitzavím - to stand firm.
And true steadfastness is achieved by uniting with that which is firm and constant, so as not to be affected by either one's own internal difficulties or those of society. The only firm and constant thing we have is our Holy Torah, the Torah of Life, through which we unite with the Source of Life, God Himself.