A Last-Shabbat-of-the-Year Message from Mar Abba

September 19, 2025
26 Elul 5785

 

Dear friends,

 

Yesterday I was at a meeting in the community, in the offices of one of the leaders of the
Denver Jewish community, and this piece of artwork was on the wall: “Do what you love.
Love what you do.”

 

And while the meeting focused on school-related issues, I could not help dwelling on
that quote. A year ago, as we approached the last Shabbat of 5784, I could never have
imagined that as we approach the last Shabbat of 5785 I would be in a new country,
back in Jewish education, and back to doing what I love — and loving what I do.

 

What a bracha, what a blessing that is. And what deep appreciation I have for the
Denver Academy of Torah community and its leadership for reaching out, welcoming
me, and making it possible for me to step back into this sacred work on behalf of the
children of our community.

 

The last parsha of the last Shabbat of the Jewish year 5785 is parshat Nitzavim and it
contains a series of important messages for all of us. Like all parshiyot, there is often a
universe of meaning hiding behind specific words or phrases. In this case, I’d like to
share several rabbinic teachings on specific words in the the opening pasuk, which
states that “Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem…” – “You are standing today, all of you…”
(Devarim 29:9). Rashi’s take on kulchem… all of you: Every Jew, regardless of status or
station — leaders, elders, children, parents, shleppers and chief bottle washers — stands
equally in covenant before Hashem. All Jews are equally bound in the covenant. No one
is too high or too low; each of us has a share in Hashem’s Torah and a collective
responsibility for one another and the community.

 

And Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch Hirsch on nitzavim… standing, notes that nitzavim
means not just “standing” but “standing firmly.” Even in the face of exile, dispersion, and
hardship, the Jewish people remain unshaken. This pasuk is a prophecy of Jewish
survival — the people always “stand” before Hashem, no matter the circumstances. Not
on our knees, not weak… but standing… resolute, unbowed.

 

As we enter 5786, Parshat Nitzavim reminds us that we stand nitzavim before Hashem
kulchem — all of us, together. Each of us has a role, each of us has responsibility, and
together we build community and partner together to raise knowledgeable, passionate
frum children. And we do so nitzavim – we remind ourselves, and educate our children
that we as a people and are a mamlechet kohanim v’goy kadosh — “a kingdom of priests
and a holy nation” that stands strong and proud, resilient in the face of challenges,
unbowed across space and time.

 

To return to my opening words, this is the bracha and dream of living as Jews: to do
what we love as Jews — to live a life filled with Torah and Yiddishkeit, meaning and
purpose, to teach and learn Torah, to raise our children to love Torah — and to love what
we do as Jews, with pride, with joy, and with emunah. If we can do this with our
children, if we can effectively transmit this love, this then it’s an unqualified success.

 

So let’s work together towards that definition of success. As a school, and as a
community, may we enter the new year bound together by Hashem’s covenant and
commitment to each other, proud, strong and resilient, and uplifted by the joy of doing
what we love and loving what we do — as Jews, as families, as a school community, and
as one people before Hashem.

 

Ketivah v’chatimah tovah — l’shanah tovah u’metukah! And Shabbat Shalom
u’mevorach!

 

Mar Abba