It's just semantics—or is it?! When it comes to understanding Torah, it's all about semantics. In this week's parashah, Nitzavim, a close reading clarifies the path of Teshuva (repentance/returning) we walk during this season of Yamim Nora'im, the High Holdy days, and always.

In last week's parashah, we learned about different blessings and curses we may experience, based on how closely we follow mitzvot and how righteous a path we walk through the world. In this week's parashah, we learn the effects of our actions; we get into the semantics of when blessings or curses befall us.

It's just semantics—or is it?! When it comes to understanding Torah, it's all about semantics. In this week's parashah, Nitzavim, a close reading clarifies the path of Teshuva (repentance/returning) we walk during this season of Yamim Nora'im, the High Holdy days, and always.

In last week's parashah, we learned about different blessings and curses we may experience, based on how closely we follow mitzvot and how righteous a path we walk through the world. In this week's parashah, we learn the effects of our actions; we get into the semantics of when blessings or curses befall us.

“How is the year going so far?” Many people have asked me this over the past four days and I have asked as well. This year, so far, has felt different from my previous eight years at the school because…it feels familiar. We have done so much work over the past number of years to establish routines, traditions, shared norms and expectations and while every year provides new opportunities for growth, this year feels like an affirmation of our continued shared commitments. 

The story of the spies lies at the heart of the entire book of Bamidbar; it determines who will – and who will not – be able to enter the Land of Israel. While the spies have generally drawn the scorn of traditional commentators, who are stunned by their lack of faith, I’ve always had such compassion for them.

This new school year, like every new year, is full of possibility and promise. We were reminded in last week’s parsha, parashat Shoftim, of the Torah’s call to build communities rooted in justice and integrity. The portion famously commands, “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof - Justice, justice shall you pursue.”