Nitzavim - Vayeilech | Reform Judaism

When Is Nitzavim - Vayeilech Read?

September 28, 2024 / 25 Elul 5784

September 5, 2026 / 23 Elul 5786

September 25, 2027 / 23 Elul 5787

Summary

Moses tells the assembled people that God's covenant speaks to them and to all of the generations who will follow. (29:9–14)
God warns the Israelites that they will be punished if they act idolatrously, the way the inhabitants of the other nations do. (29:15–28)
Moses reassures the people that God will not forsake them and that they can attain blessings by following God's commandments. (30:1–20)
Moses prepares the people for his death and announces that Joshua will succeed him. (31:1–8)
Moses instructs the priests and the elders regarding the importance of reading the Torah. (31:9–13)
God informs Moses that upon his death, the people will commit idolatry and "many evils and troubles shall befall them." God tells Moses to teach the people a poem that will "be My witness." (31:14–30)

Ten Minutes of Torah: Nitzavim - Vayeilech Commentary

an image of a man holding a tallit over his head while praying

Standing Before the Creator

By: Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste

It is Reform tradition to read the Nitzavim Torah portion during the Shacharit (morning) service on Yom Kippur. The tradition stems from the belief that standing before God with great awe and fear is not just the solitary appearance of an individual before their Creator, but also of a community who, together, are appealing to God for forgiveness and absolution before the gates of heaven close.