Netzavim

The most essential part of the Selichos prayer is the portion stating the Thirteen Attributes which are interwoven throughout the Selichos. Chazal inform us that the covenant of the Thirteen Attributes is a covenant of kindness called upon to counteract the attribute of strict justice and enable us to attain forgiveness. Why do we need this special covenant of kindness to help overcome strict justice? After all, there is an initial covenant from Hashem that was integrated into Creation that performs this role. Chazal tell us that - kaviyachol - initially the intent was to create a world operating under the guidelines of strict justice. Ultimately, however, Hashem decided to incorporate the aspect of kindness into the operation of the world. That is why Bereishis begins with the name Elokim alone - signifying the attribute of justice alone - but eventually includes the name of Hashem that signifies the attribute of kindness as well. If the attribute of kindness was included in the creation and nature of the world then why the need for a special covenant of kindness implemented through the Thirteen Attributes?

Moreover, it would logically seem that Selichos should call upon the original covenant of inclusion of kindness made at the time of Creation. After all, it is on Rosh Hashanah when kol ba'ei olam ya'avrun lefanecha - every creature passes before Hashem for judgment. U'vamedinos bo yeameir eizo lara'av v'eizo lasova - all nations are judged as well. Rosh Hashanah is referred to as yom haras olam - the birthday of the world. Particularly, this birthday of creation, when the entire world is judged, seems to be the appropriate time to call upon the covenant of kindness made at the origin of Creation.

Perhaps we can say that the original covenant with Creation was a universal/communal one and on Rosh Hashanah each individual is judged. Therefore, a special covenant related to individuals is appropriate. However, this concept presents an additional conflict. The Halachah informs us that, although much of the Selichos can be said by individuals, the Thirteen Attributes must be said with a minyan quorum. Therefore, it would be difficult to posit that, on the one hand we are seeking a covenant that applies specifically to individuals while, simultaneously, we are choosing a covenant whose recitation cannot be done by individuals but specifically requires a minyan.

Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem lifnei Hashem Elokeichem...l'avracha bibris Hashem Elokecha u'v'aloso asher Hashem Elokecha koreis imcha hayom. The opening section of parshas Nitzavim describes a covenant between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael. A covenant has two sides. Presumably, each side is koreis their part. If that is so, then what is the meaning of the term 'l'avracha' - to pass over, as if to pass over to another covenant? It would make more linguistic sense to use a form of koreis, like lehachrischa to describe Bnei Yisrael's entry into this covenant.

The covenant of the Thirteen Attributes is the first covenant made after receiving the Torah on Har Sinai. There was something about that event that changed not only the status of Bnei Yisrael but the very nature of the world. Prior to receiving the Torah, Bnei Yisrael were just another part of the greater world. The exodus from Egypt made us into a People. However, there were many different People and Nations in the world. Receiving the Torah made us the Chosen People - asher bachar banu mikol ha'amim venasan lanu es toraso.

This change enables us to beseech Hashem on a dual level. We can beseech Hashem on the communal as well as the individual level. Chazal inform us that when we encamped around Har Sinai vayichan sham Yisrael - k'ish echad balev echad - we were a single unit, a People. Additionally, the singular term of vayichan can also imply that there is significance and importance to every individual of Bnei Yisrael. The events at Har Sinai enabled us to 'cross over' - l'avracha - to a different relationship with Hashem, enabling us to attain a covenant of kindness above and beyond the one given to the world at the time of Creation. The covenant of kindness of the Thirteen Attributes is both a communal and individual covenant designated specifically for Bnei Yisrael as an addition to the one received as a member of the community of nations.

It is particularly this covenant that we call upon at this time of year, as we beseech Hashem on both the communal and individual levels to grant us a happy, healthy, sweet year. May we all - as individuals and as Knesses Yisrael - be zocheh to a Shanah tovah umetukah umevurechet.