Written by Hindy, כב אלול תשפ”ג ,September 8, 2023
In the Torah, phrasing and diction is always intentional.
This week’s parshiot are Parshat Nitzavim and Parshat Vayelech, and while they are a double portion, they connect. The shoresh קרב in Hebrew is used and translated as “come close, draw near”, and interestingly enough it comes up in both of this Shabbat’s readings. Firstly in Nitzavim, “כִּֽי־קָר֥וֹב אֵלֶ֛יךָ הַדָּבָ֖ר מְאֹ֑ד Draw close, this thing is close to you”, is in reference to our connection to the Torah, and our relationship with G-d. The next instance is in Parshat Vayelech, when Hashem is informing Moshe of his imminent death; “הֵ֣ן קָרְב֣וּ יָמֶ֘יךָ֮ לָמוּת֒ The time is drawing near for you to pass” , go and inform the next leader, Yehoshua.
These two uses of the same root word, of ק ר ב- come close, intertwine. In Parshat Nitzavim, Moshe’s usage is to advise Bnei Yisrael to take a hold of the Torah, and observe the mitzvot. In Parshat Vayelech, the use of the word shows the intimacy between Moshe and G-d, that Moshe merited a warning before his death. G-d informed him, because of the prior relationship made between them. Hashem informs Moshe of the end of his physical time, Moshe informs the nation of the start (initial “drawing close/clinging) of their spirituality.
Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch provides insight on this particular concept of keeping close to G-d. He says, “The Lord is close to all who call on Him. To all those who call out to Him in sincerity.” This is to mean Hashem is close to everyone who calls out to Him; but only those who are sincere walk away realizing He is close [too]. In these parshiot, having Moshe command Bnei Yisrael to draw close to Hashem, it is like receiving advice from an expert in their field.
Moshe was a master at this, at drawing close to G-d, and the Torah also teaches us in Sefer Shemot that he was sincere and earnest as well. He was not only our greatest teacher, a most humble leader, he was also the greatest navi of all time. The thing is, he only got there because he felt the need to come close. Moshe knew of his weaknesses, he was transparent with G-d when he misstep, yet Hashem brought him close as well.
This is what these parshiot teach us. First in Nitzavim, stating “Ki karov” and then in Vayelech when Moshe is informing Yehoshua of his time to step up and lead. Moshe taught Yehoshua to draw close, to be someone the people knew, and to always reach out and draw close to G-d. True sincerity, this is what brings us a close Divine connection, and Moshe’s character will continue to teach that.
Shabbat Shalom,
Hindy Gross