Nitzavim - נצבים : “You are standing”
Torah : Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20
Haftarah : Isaiah 61:10–63:9
Gospel : Acts 19–20

Thought for the Week:

Judaism explains that when Messiah comes, God will circumcise our hearts by removing the evil inclination. In the scriptures, a circumcised heart is idiomatic for having a repentant heart, suppliant to the will of God. For example, in Deuteronomy 10:16, Moses commanded the people, “Circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer.” The prophet Jeremiah tells Israel to repent from evil deeds, saying, “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD and remove the foreskins of your heart.” (Jeremiah 4:4) During these last before the high holidays, the season of repentance, we should beseech God to circumcise our hearts, removing our stubbornness and inspiring us to repent.

Commentary:

Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live. (Deuteronomy 30:6)

As Moses describes the final redemption to come, he tells Israel that God will circumcise their hearts. The metaphoric circumcision of the heart will enable them to completely fulfill the commandment of loving God and will grant them life—even eternal life. The Apostle Paul contrasts a circumcised proselyte to Judaism who does not keep the commandments against an uncir...