The passuk says, “Atem Nitzavim Hayom,” “You are standing today.” The Mateh Moshe writes that this is b’gematria, “La’amod Lislichos,” “to get up for Selichos,” since usually on Motzei Shabbos Nitzavim we begin saying Selichos, as we do this year.
The passuk says, “U’vacharta bachayim,” “You shall choose life.” The Malbim says that a Jewish king does not have bechirah, free choice, since if he chooses badly, it will affect all of Klal Yisroel.
The Medrash says that on the day Moshe Rabbeinu was niftar, he wrote thirteen Sifrei Torah: one for each sheivet, tribe, and one for Sheivet Levi that went into the Aron.
It was Erev Rosh Hashanah in the town of Bardichov. The Bardichover Rebbe was walking in the street when he saw a young man with an inappropriate hairdo. He called him over and asked him why he was dressed this way. The young man answered that since he worked with non-Jewish noblemen, he had to look this way.
The Bardichover said, “I will give you one gold coin if you take it off.” The young man refused.
“I will give you three gold coins.” He still refused.
The Bardichover continued offering more and more until he reached twenty gold coins, an astronomical sum of money, but the young man still refused.
The Bardichover then said, “If you cut your hair, I will promise you a share in Olam Haba.”
Upon hearing this, the young man instantly grabbed for a pair of scissors and got rid of the hairdo!
The heilige Bardichover lifted his eyes toward Heaven and called out, “Eibishter, look at Your heilige kinderlach! The amount of money I offered this young man is equivalent to a very long time of hard work, and he still wouldn’t do it. But for Olam Haba, which he has never even seen, he was instantly ready to get rid of his hairdo! Mi k’amcha Yisroel, ‘Who is like Your nation, Yisroel!’ Please give Your dear kinderlach a great year!”
#1 “Atem Nitzavim Hayom,” “You are standing today.” Which day?
#2 “V’atah kisvu lachem es hashirah hazos,” “And now, write for yourselves this song.” Which song?
#3 What do we learn from “Ki lo sishakach mipi zaro,” “For it will not be forgotten from the mouths of his descendants”?
Answers: 1) The day Moshe Rabbeinu was niftar. 2) According to Rashi, Parshas Haazinu. Some Rishonim learn that it means the entire Torah. 3) The Torah will never be forgotten from the Yidden. Parsha Pix: For answer look in פרק ל פסוק י״ט
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 97.