Parshas Netzavim 5785 - Return Unto Hashem

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the Torah speaks to us about teshuvah, the process of returning to Hashem:

“It will be that when all these which I have placed before you come upon you - the blessing and the curse– then you will take it to your heart among all the nations where Hashem, your G-d, has dispersed you and you will return unto Hashem your G-d, and listen to His voice, according to everything that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and all you soul.” (Devarim 30:1-2).

Rav Samson Rafael Hirsch explains that after the Jewish people experience the blessings and curses described in the Torah, they will reflect on their historical experiences and be moved to return “unto Hashem your G-d.” What is the nature of this return to G-d?

We can better understand this return to G-d by examining the language of this verse. The Torah speaks of returning “unto” Hashem, using the Herew word “עד” instead of the more conventional returning “to” using the Hebrew prefix “אל”. This unusual wording teaches us that teshuvah is not only about turning back or correcting past mistakes. It is about striving upward - reaching unto Hashem Himself.

We find the same expression in the Haftorah that we will read on Shabbos Shuvah (in one week): “Return unto Hashem your G-d” (Hosea 14:2). The term “unto” (עד) Hashem emphasizes that the ideal purpose of repentance is to raise mankind up spiritually towards G-d – to create a connection to the Divine. This is what Rabbi Levi means when he says: “Great is repentance, as it reaches the heavenly throne.” This implies that repentance literally reaches to G-d. (Yoma 86a).

Similarly, the Malbim understands that our verse describes the first stage of religious awakening by the Jewish people, where man turns “unto” or towards G-d. Teshuvah is therefore more than self-improvement and becoming a better person. It results in deepening our relationship with Hashem, lifting ourselves closer to Him.

Moreover, once one engages in the process of repentance, Hashem responds in kind. The Torah continues:

“Then Hashem, your G-d, will also return to look after your exiles and have compassion on you and will return and gather you in from all the peoples to which Hashem, our G-d, has scattered you.” (Devarim 30:3).

Note that just like the Torah uses the term “return” (Hebrew: ושב) in verse 30:2 describing our act of returning to Hashem, the Torah also uses the term “return” in the subsequent verse, depicting Hashem’s response to our teshuvah. However, this time the verse uses “return” (ושב)  twice. The message is striking: when we return to Hashem, even a little, He responds by returning to us in double measure—with overflowing love, compassion, and closeness, as He will gather us up from the nations of the world and bring us closer to Him.

With just a few days before Rosh Hashanah, now is the time to take that step. By reflecting honestly on our past year and making real, even small, changes, we set in motion a Divine response of love and blessing.

May we all merit this Elul to draw nearer unto Hashem, and may He in turn bring us closer to Him—with a כתיבה וחתימה טובה, to be written and sealed in the Book of Life for a good, sweet, and blessed year for us, for the Jewish people, and for the entire world.