No Coincidences in Jewish life - A Thought for Yamim Nora’im  

The Torah reading at this time of the year, from Rosh Chodesh Ellul until after Yom Kippur, begins with Parshat Shoftim - a period of judgement and ends with Vezot Habracha-blessing. It occurred to me that the name of each of these Parshiot has a timely message to convey at this important period. These Parshiot remind us of where we should begin in our self-assessment to prepare for the Yamim Nora’im.

Ki Teitze - when you go out and Ki Tavo - when you come in.   

We must ask how we have maintained our Jewish lives when we go out into the big wide world, and have we been steady in keeping our faith and even making a Kiddush Hashem wherever possible. Also, when we are at home - Ki Tavo - when we return and come into the home, have we made our Jewish values and observance, the key element in our home life. Have we made Shabbat into a true Holy Day? Did we observe the Festivals properly? Have we kept up the example of educating our children by showing a good level of positive Jewish behavior as their role models, in learning Torah, reciting Birkat Hamazon, going to daven with a minyan regularly etc.  

This brings us to the next level of self-assessment. Are we ‘Nitzavim - standing’ or ‘Vayelech moving’? This is the question of whether we have improved in our commitment and grown in our Yiddishkeit. Have we 'moved' or stood still?  

If we do this analysis well, then we come to ‘Ha’azinu’- we are listening to each other and to our mentors and hope that our children are listening to us as well and growing from the interactions we have with them. If all of this is done seriously, then the final Parsha of the Torah promises us Vezot Habracha. This will be a true blessing for us and our families, our communities and ultimately for the whole of the Jewish people. When this self-assessment is successful, we then celebrate and move onto Bereishit - a new beginning.  

As the above title suggests, nothing is coincidental in our lives. Even in the names and placement of the Parshiot of the Torah. Ketiva v’Chatima Tova.

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Rabbi Ian Shaffer moved to the US with his family from the UK 20 years ago. He has held the position of Adjunct Professor of Bible at Stern College for Women for the last 19 years. He has also given many classes in both his previous community of Fair Lawn, NJ as well as in his current community of Cherry Hill, NJ, He has close to 500 shiurim on www.yutorah.org.