Parashat Nitzavim
נִצָּבִים · Deuteronomy 29:9 to 30:20, portion 8 of 11 in the book of Deuteronomy.
Next reading
The year after
What happens in Nitzavim
Moses gathers the whole people, from the leaders to those who draw the water, to enter the covenant, which binds those not yet born as well. He warns that turning away will bring exile, and promises that whenever they return to God, He will gather them back. The commandment is not far off or in heaven but close, in your mouth and your heart. He sets before them life and death and tells them to choose life. It is always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah.
אַתֶּם נִצָּבִים הַיּוֹם כֻּלְּכֶם לִפְנֵי ה׳ אֱלֹקֵיכֶם רָאשֵׁיכֶם שִׁבְטֵיכֶם זִקְנֵיכֶם וְשֹׁטְרֵיכֶם כֹּל אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל
“Ye are standing this day all of you before the LORD your God: your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, even all the men of Israel,”
The portion, in your inbox
A short weekly email with the coming Shabbat's reading and times. Free, one-click unsubscribe.
One list, unsubscribe in a click. See our privacy policy.
Reading this Shabbat?
Candle-lighting and havdalah times for every major city in Israel are on the Shabbat times pages, and the festival calendar lives under Jewish holidays.
Frequently asked questions
When is Parashat Nitzavim read in 2027?+
On Shabbat 25 September 2027 (23 Elul 5787), in Israel and in the Diaspora alike. The year after, it is read on 16 September 2028.
What is Parashat Nitzavim about?+
Moses gathers the whole people, from the leaders to those who draw the water, to enter the covenant, which binds those not yet born as well. He warns that turning away will bring exile, and promises that whenever they return to God, He will gather them back. The commandment is not far off or in heaven but close, in your mouth and your heart. He sets before them life and death and tells them to choose life. It is always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah.
Why is Nitzavim sometimes read together with Vayeilech?+
Most years have fewer free Shabbatot than portions: a festival that falls on Shabbat takes that Shabbat's reading, and a year without a second month of Adar is about four weeks shorter. So some neighbouring portions are read together, and Nitzavim with Vayeilech is one of those pairs.