From the Rabbi's Study

We read Parashat Nitzavim just before we start saying Selichot – extra daily prayers for forgiveness during the month of Ellul. The Selichot prayers give us the opportunity for introspection before Rosh Hashanah, so that we can admit to ourselves where we have gone wrong during the past year, and ask Hashem to put us back on the right track, so that we can start the New Year with a renewed commitment to the Torah and its mitzvot.

It may seem like a daunting task, but our Parasha reassures us that keeping the Torah is not so hard. It is not beyond our reach – it is in our mouths and in our hearts (Devarim 30:14). Hashem will always be there to help us if we make the first move towards Him, however far we have strayed.

There is no concept of irretrievable breakdown in the relationship between us and Hashem. In our prayers we refer to Him as ‘Avinu Malkenu’ – our Father and our King – because He judges us simultaneously with justice and with mercy. There is a parallel duality in the way that we approach Him to repent. We recognise that He has ultimate power over our lives, so we approach in fear of His judgment. But we also know that He loves us like a father loves his children, and that He will forgive the sincere penitent. It is up to us to choose to life (Devarim 30:20) and to open our hearts to him during Ellul when He is listening out for our Selichot prayers.