OF GOOD STANDING

PARSHA
NITZAVIM 08


“Atem you are standing today all of you before Hashem your G-d” (Deut.29.9)

The three letters, Alef, Tav & Mem constituting Atem – you, are the initial letters of Elul Teshuvah Mekubelet - in Elul repentance is accepted. ‘Today’ alludes to Rosh Hashanah, the day on which we stand in judgement before the Divine Ju dge, creator of heaven and earth. (Ohel Yosef)

But surely the time for Teshuvah is during the ten days set aside specifically for this purpose, starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom HaKippurim?

This is true, however our Commentators point out that in order to stand before G-d on the Day of Judgement, we need to do Teshuvah, we need to return, to do a turn-about and come back from the ways that lead us aside and away from divinity.

The three letters Alef, Tav & Mem of Atem also read Emet – truth.
On Rosh Hashanah we need to f ace our maker in truth - true to him and to ourselves in acknowledging and admitting the wrongs that we have done.

May the coming year be one of true return for the Community of Israel, that we may we remembered for life – the good life – in all of the four Mystic Worlds. For indeed, the Gematria for Tov – good = 17; and 4 x 17 = 68, the Gematria for Hayyim – life!