September 19, 2025 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen
Nitzavim 5785 (2025)
Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20 (Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10-63:9)
Nitzavim, the name of this Torah portion means “Standing.” The name relates to the nation having entered the Promised Land, needing to keep the Covenant. When we think about standing, we think about standing for something, standing in attention, standing rather than reclining or sitting down. Standing would show respect. Standing also means upholding something.
A Covenant
“All of you are standing today in the presence of the LORD your God…” (Deuteronomy 29:11 NIV)
The word “all” means that everyone is standing. It is especially important because it means that God made the covenant not only with the leaders nor with just men, but He made it with everybody.
We also know that He included future generations. The text implies that there were going to be people in the covenant who were not present that day.
“…who are standing here with us today in the presence of the LORD our God but also with those who are not here today.” (Deuteronomy 29:15 NIV)
Breaking the Rules
There are in the text instructions and predictions about what will happen if the nation breaks the rules of the covenant. Terrible things will happen and those are going to be visible to the nations around them.
The Torah is also clear that there are things that God will punish men for. But there are other things that people need to act on.
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV)
Despite their turning away and the promised horrifying consequences, which is punishments, God is going to be merciful when he sees them repenting. So if they have lost the land, they will receive it back and return to that land.
“…and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. …” (Deuteronomy 30:2-3 NIV)
Once they return to their land, they are going to worship God, obey, and follow all His commands. There are enemies who hate and persecute them, but they are going to be recipients of the curses invoked in the Torah portion.
“The LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you. You will again obey the LORD and follow all his commands I am giving you today.” (Deuteronomy 30: 7-8 NIV)
Zion’s Glory
The prophetic Haftarah portion from Isaiah is not just spiritual symbolism or a description of the Messiah alone. It is very strongly about Jerusalem. First, the prophet says that he will not keep silent until Jerusalem is reestablished. He sees future glory that nations will see.
“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” (Isaiah 62:1-3 NIV)
Watchmen
The prophet says that God Himself has posted watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem. A watchman is a guard, especially at nighttime. These guards must never be silent. But the sound that they are making is directed to God. They are not to give Him rest until He has made Jerusalem praise on all the earth.
“I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest,
and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isaiah 62: 6-7 NIV)
I would like you to consider yourself a watchman. Anyone who prays, day or night, is a watchman.
The ten Boom family, with Casper in the middle and Corrie at far left (public domain)
The ten Boom Family
Here it is possible to draw a direct connection to the Holocaust.
There were Righteous Among the Nations, gentiles, who felt it was their duty to come to the aid of the persecuted Jews. In many European nations, anti-Semitism has long been a part of what people grew up with. But there were Watchmen.
One famous story comes from the Netherlands. Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983) and her father Casper (1859-1944) were watchmakers, and they were Watchmen. Sister Betsie (1885-1944) and many other family members were truly Watchmen. Many of them paid with their lives for what they did during the Holocaust.
Before the Holocaust came to the Netherlands and their town of Harlem, in that house there had been prayer for the Jews for a hundred years. Corrie became instrumental in the resistance movement. The family had a hiding place built in their own home. In that manner the resistance rescued hundreds of people. But the truth is that had the Ten Booms not been spiritually prepared beforehand, it might never have come about. There was a clear understanding that at that time they needed to act.
Watch!
Interestingly in the New Testament Jesus often told us to watch. He told us to watch events because we do not know when they will occur. He told us to watch for the coming of the Messiah. This will happen suddenly. He told us to watch unsettling events. This has historically been the case that those happened unexpectedly.
Being a watchman means understanding the times and watching for the signs.
“What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:37 NIV)
What does it mean to be a watchman right now?
*For an explanation of the terms see the first The Torah Portion Blog.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis 1:3 NIV
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1 NIV
…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
Torah Scrolls were attacked and desecrated during the Holocaust. The enduring images of the Kristallnacht (November 9-10,1938) are those of synagogues on fire and Torah Scrolls burning. Some of these desecrated Torah Scrolls disappeared, others were buried. Some were lovingly rescued and are on display in museums in various locations.
