Torah Feed

Parashat Nitzavim-Vayeilech

Nitzavim and Vayeilech are read together in most years. Together they cover Deuteronomy 29:9 to 31:30, 70 verses.

Updated September 24, 2026

נִצָּבִים־וַיֵּלֶךְ

Book
Deuteronomy
Reading
29:9 to 31:30
Verses
70
Position
51 of 54

Opening verse

אַתֶּם נִצָּבִים הַיּוֹם כֻּלְּכֶם לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם 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,

Deuteronomy 29:9

Read the full text from the start of the portion: Deuteronomy 29 in Hebrew and English.

Summary

Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9 to 30:20)

You are standing today, all of you, before the LORD your God: leaders, elders, children, wives, the stranger, the woodcutter and the water carrier. The covenant is made with everyone present and with everyone not yet born. Moses foresees exile and promises that when the people return to God with all their heart, God will gather them from the ends of the earth and circumcise their hearts. This commandment is not too hard for you and not far away; it is not in heaven or across the sea, but in your mouth and in your heart. Life and death, blessing and curse, are set before you. Choose life.

Vayeilech (Deuteronomy 31:1 to 31:30)

The shortest portion in the Torah, thirty verses. Moses, one hundred and twenty years old, tells the people he can no longer go out and come in, and that Joshua will lead them across the Jordan. He calls Joshua before all Israel and says, "Be strong and courageous." He writes the Torah and gives it to the priests and elders with the command of Hakhel: every seventh year, at Sukkot, the whole people, men, women and children, are to gather and hear it read. God tells Moses that after his death the people will stray, and commands him to write down a song as a witness. The scroll is placed beside the Ark.

Key moments

  • The covenant with those present and those not yet born (29:9 to 29:14)
  • "It is not in heaven" (30:11 to 30:14)
  • "Choose life" (30:15 to 30:20)
  • Joshua charged before all Israel (31:7 to 31:8)
  • Hakhel, the reading every seven years (31:10 to 31:13)
  • The song as a witness (31:19 to 31:22)

When is Nitzavim-Vayeilech read?

Upcoming Shabbat readings in the Diaspora calendar:

  • Saturday, September 25, 2027
  • Saturday, September 16, 2028
  • Saturday, September 21, 2030