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Why does Nitzavim list roshei ha'shevatim before zekeinim—leaders before scholars? The shiur argues that entering into this covenant is a political act, requiring not just Torah (תורה) knowledge but the capacity to build institutions. Those with financial and organizational responsibility (roshei ha'shevatim) lead; those who take achrayus for infrastructure—yeshivos, economy, Beis Hamikdash—come first in creating Malchus Hashem (ה׳).
The shiur analyzes the opening of Parshas Nitzavim (Devarim 29:9-10), which presents a carefully ordered hierarchy of klal Yisroel standing before Hashem (ה׳): roshei ha'shevatim, zekeinim, shotrim, all men of Israel, children, women, and finally gerim. The central question is why the Torah (תורה) lists the political heads (roshei ha'shevatim) before the Torah scholars (zekeinim), and what this order reveals about the nature of the covenant being entered into. Rabbi Zweig explains that the term "nitzavim" means not merely standing (omed) but standing fixed, at attention, as if affixed to the ground—motzav artza. The people are positioned "lifnei Hashem Elokeichem"—in the direct presence of Hashem—in a structured, hierarchical formation. This is not a gathering for shiurim or psak halacha (הלכה), but for establishing a political entity, a covenant to create Malchus Hashem in the world.
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Nitzavim 29:9-10
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