Two Minute Torah Podcast

Nitzavim-Vayelekh 5769 by Rabbi Elyse Winick

Shalom! Welcome to KOACH's Two Minute Torah, a project of the Department of College Outreach of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. This is Rabbi Elyse Winick, KOACH Associate Director.

As we read from this week's Torah portions, one idea in particular jumps out. "Not with you alone do I make this covenant and this oath. With whomever stands here today before the Lord our God and with those who are not here today." (Devarim 29:13, 14)

The midrash plays with the seeming absurdity of this statement, telling us that every Jewish soul was present at Sinai, not only those who were physically present. Contemporary culture plays off this notion. Judith Plaskow authored a volume entitled Standing Again at Sinai, reclaiming the lost voices of women in the story. A Jewish internet dating site uses the name Saw You at Sinai, a nod to the idea that we've all been together before.

When you think about it, the hutzpah of Moses' words is unbounded. Why have I been committed to a covenant which I had no opportunity to vet and approve? Who gave Moses the authority to speak for me, lo these many generations later?

But rather than feel put out, I feel embraced by Moshe's claim. Merle Feld, in her poem "We All Stood Together," gives voice to the challenges of not being fully present. Her words reflect exclusion by circumstance: "I'm always holding a baby, one of my own, or one for a friend, always holding a baby, so my hands are never free to write things down." Sometimes even if you're there, you aren't actually there. Beyond that, we all are well aware of times when there is exclusion by design, when intent, rather than circumstance, keeps people on the sidelines.

When Moshe references "those who are not here with us today" he opens the tent flaps wide, allowing for an ever evolving definition of ‘us.' I'm grateful that the tradition empowers us to offer the broadest possible embrace, held close by that which came before us and always reflecting on ways to draw us near.