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Parashat Nitzavim - פָּרָשַׁת נִצָּבִים־וַיֵּלֶךְ
In Nitzavim (“Standing”), Moses addresses the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of following God’s covenant and of not worshiping other gods. He describes the process of repentance and returning to God, and stresses that God’s commandments are achievable and “not in the heavens.” Vayeilech (“He Went”) opens as Moses tells the Israelites that he will not lead them into the Land of Israel, and that Joshua will take over. He instructs the Israelites to gather and read Torah publicly every seven years. At God’s command, Moses writes a poem bearing witness to God’s covenant with the Israelites.
Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20
Parashat Nitzavim-Vayeilech is the 51,52th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Next read on September 5th, 2026 / 23 Elul 5786
- Annual Reading
Read Annually
1:
29:9 - 29:11· 3 p’sukim
2:
29:12 - 29:14· 3 p’sukim
3:
29:15 - 29:28· 14 p’sukim
4:
30:1 - 30:6· 6 p’sukim
5:
30:7 - 30:10· 4 p’sukim
6:
30:11 - 30:14· 4 p’sukim
7:
30:15 - 30:20· 6 p’sukim
Maftir:
30:15 - 30:20· 6 p’sukim
Haftarah:
Isaiah 61:10 - 63:9· 23 p’sukim
- Triennial Year 1
Read Together in 2026/5786
Nitzavim and Vayeilech are read together for Triennial Year 1.
- Triennial Year 2
Read Together in 2027/5787
Nitzavim and Vayeilech are read together for Triennial Year 2.
- Triennial Year 3
Read Together in 2028/5788
Nitzavim and Vayeilech are read together for Triennial Year 3.
About Parashat Parashat Nitzavim
Nitzavim is Moses' covenant-renewal address to all Israel on the Plains of Moab in his final days, and its power lies in how widely it casts the covenant: it binds "those who are standing here today" together with "those who are not here with us today" (Deut. 29:13-14), traditionally understood to include every future generation of Jews. Moses frames observance as a deliberate moral choice, setting before the people "life and death, blessing and curse" and urging them to "choose life" (Deut. 30:19). He also insists the Torah is accessible to all — "not in the heavens" nor "beyond the sea," but "very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart" — and promises that even after exile and dispersion the people can return to God, who will gather them back. Read on the last Shabbat of the year, these themes of unity, free will, and teshuvah make the portion fitting preparation for the High Holidays.
The Haftarah
The haftarah for Nitzavim is Isaiah 61:10-63:9, read whether the portion is read alone or paired with Vayeilech; in most communities both Ashkenazi and Sephardi rites read this same passage, and no major rite variation is noted in the sources consulted. It is the seventh and final of the "Sheva d'Nechemta," the Seven Haftarot of Consolation read on the Sabbaths between Tisha b'Av and Rosh Hashanah. The connection is thematic and seasonal rather than a direct verbal echo: Isaiah's vision of joyous redemption — Israel's restoration likened to a rejoicing bridegroom and bride, with names like "Forsaken" and "Desolate" replaced by terms of love — complements Nitzavim's promise that even after exile the people will return to God and be gathered home, and its culminating note of consolation sets the tone for the approaching New Year.
Notable passages and verses
Nitzavim contains two of the Torah's most-quoted verses. "It is not in heaven" (lo bashamayim hi, Deut. 30:12) is famously invoked in the Talmud — most associated with the "Oven of Akhnai" account — as the basis for human authority to interpret Torah, and "I have set before you life and death... therefore choose life" (u'vacharta ba'chayim, Deut. 30:15-19) is among the most cited expressions of free will in Jewish thought. The portion holds a special calendar place: it is always read on the Shabbat immediately before Rosh Hashanah, the last Shabbat of the Jewish year, so its themes of repentance and return frame the High Holiday season. Selections from Nitzavim (Deut. 29:9-14 and 30:11-20) are also read in the Yom Kippur morning Torah service. In most years it is paired with the following portion, Vayeilech, and read alone only when the calendar requires.
Frequently asked questions
What is Parashat Nitzavim about?
Nitzavim ("You are standing") is Moses' covenant-renewal speech to all Israel near the end of his life. He declares that the covenant binds everyone present and "those who are not here today" — read as all future generations — describes how the people can repent and return to God even after exile, insists the Torah is "very near to you" rather than out of reach, and urges Israel to "choose life." Standalone it covers Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20. With TropeTrainer you can hear and practice this reading with its trope.
What is the haftarah for Nitzavim?
The haftarah for Nitzavim is Isaiah 61:10-63:9, the seventh and final of the Seven Haftarot of Consolation read between Tisha b'Av and Rosh Hashanah. In most communities this same passage is read in both the Ashkenazi and Sephardi rites. Its vision of joyous redemption complements Nitzavim's promise of return and restoration. TropeTrainer lets you hear and practice this haftarah with the proper trope.
What are the main themes of Nitzavim?
The portion's central themes are the covenant that binds all Israel across every generation, free will and moral choice ("I have set before you life and death... choose life"), the accessibility of Torah ("it is not in heaven"), and teshuvah — repentance and return to God even after exile. Because Nitzavim is read on the last Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah, these themes of unity and return frame the High Holiday season. You can hear and practice the reading with trope on TropeTrainer.
Why is Nitzavim read before Rosh Hashanah?
Nitzavim is always read on the Shabbat immediately before Rosh Hashanah, the final Shabbat of the Jewish year, and its emphasis on repentance, the call to "choose life," and the promise of return to God make it a natural prelude to the High Holidays; selections are also read on Yom Kippur morning. TropeTrainer lets you hear and practice this reading with trope as you prepare for the season.
Where to go next
See the complete list of weekly parashot with links to every reading and detail page.
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