We’re all there – Nitzavim
The beginning of Nitzavim notes that we’re all there in God’s presence.
Who is the “we” – an array of individuals, or a solid society?
The Hebrew doesn’t allow us to decide, since “You’re all standing”, can mean either all the individuals or all the community.
We talk of a covenant relationship with God, it is two covenants.
God has a relationship with every individual. Each of us has a personal duty towards God.
There is also a covenant between God and the whole people of Israel.
There are things which the community must do as a community. I have to give charity but so does the community. I have to pray but so does the community. I have to love God but so does the community.
There is a corporate existence which is a corrective to the selfishness of the individual who is understandably concerned with personal goals and needs.
On the other hand the singularity of the individual is a corrective to the community. There can be times when the community tries to override the preciousness of every individual soul.
The individual covenant says “I”; the communal covenant says “We”.
