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Why does Parshas Nitzavim establish a new covenant when earlier covenants already existed? The shiur builds a yesod that this covenant reorganizes the Jewish people into one interconnected entity — no longer separate individuals united under Moshe, but an indivisible corporate structure reflecting Hashem (ה׳)'s unity. From this flows kol Yisrael areivim zeh bazeh and the power to bind future generations.
The shiur opens with a fundamental question: Parshas Nitzavim describes the Jewish people as "nitzavim" (standing permanently, like a monument) and explicitly includes future generations in the covenant (Devarim 29:13-14). Yet earlier covenants made no mention of future generations. What changed? Furthermore, immediately after the terrifying curses of Ki Savo, Moshe reassures the people—but then Nitzavim itself contains additional curses (29:21-27). Why? And how can the Torah (תורה) describe someone hearing these threats and saying "I will have peace; nothing will happen to me" (29:18)—a response that seems utterly illogical? Rabbi Zweig explains that Parshas Nitzavim marks a fundamental reorganization of Klal Yisrael's self-definition. Until now, the Jewish people were an association of individuals united under Moshe Rabbeinu's leadership. But Moshe is about to die. The shiur argues that on the last day of Moshe's life (Rashi (רש"י) 29:9), he creates a new corporate infrastructure: "the heads of your tribes, your elders, your officers, all the men, children, wives, converts." This structure establishes the Jewish people not as separate individuals, but as one integrated entity—like a single body with interconnected parts.
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Parshas Nitzavim, Devarim 29:9-14
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