Choices and the Measure of Character

“the choices we make, the integrity we show, ripple forward”

Parashat Nitzavim opens with a powerful image:

 “You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem your G-d, your leaders, your tribes, your elders, your officers, every man of Israel; your little ones, your wives, and the stranger who is in your camp…” (Devarim 29:9–10). The Torah gathers everyone, from leaders to laborers, from men of influence to the most humble workers. Why such emphasis on the diversity of people standing together?

One answer lies in the essence of character. A person’s worth is not determined by their status, position, or title, but by their inner integrity. The covenant with HaShem is not limited to the elite; it binds the community as a whole, and each person’s character matters equally in upholding it. This moment is not just about ritual or national unity. It is about character. The Torah emphasizes that every single individual, regardless of status, is summoned to stand before HaShem in covenant. What qualifies them to stand there? Not wealth, not power, not brilliance – but their character, their willingness to enter a life of responsibility and integrity.

The Torah here is teaching us that true character is revealed in two ways:

1. Humility and Equality

Greatness of character is not about standing above others but about standing with others. Leaders and common workers are placed side by side, showing that every individual carries equal responsibility before Hashem. A person of strong character recognizes dignity in every other person.

2. Accountability and Choice

Later in the parashah, Moshe presents Israel with a choice:

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life” (Devarim 30:19).

Character is not formed passively, it is shaped by choices. Every day we are asked: will we choose kindness over selfishness, truth over convenience, life over decay? Character is the sum of these consistent choices.

Rashi notes that “You are standing today”  follows the long list of curses in Ki Tavo. After hearing about the severe consequences of disobedience, the people might have despaired. Instead, Moshe reassures them: You are still standing. Why? Because of your resilience, your faith, and the moral fiber that allows you to keep going. Character is what allows us to stand firm even after failure.

The Ramban adds that this covenant is not just for that generation, but for all future ones – “those who are here today and those who are not here today.” In other words, character transcends time. The choices we make, the integrity we show, ripple forward. When we act with honesty, kindness, humility, and responsibility, we plant seeds that shape the character of future generations.

Nitzavim also declares, “For this commandment… is not too wondrous for you, nor is it far away… It is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it” (Devarim 30:11–14). The cultivation of good character is not beyond reach. Every moment offers us the chance to choose honesty over deceit, patience over anger, forgiveness over resentment. Building character is a daily act of choosing well, of aligning our inner values with our outer behavior.

Nitzavim also speaks of teshuvah, the ability to return after failure:

“You will return to Hashem your G-d and listen to His voice” (Devarim 30:2).

Real character is not about never stumbling, but about having the humility and courage to rise again, admit mistakes, and realign ourselves with our higher values.

Finally, Moshe’s climactic words – “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life!” (30:19),  are essentially a call to character. Choosing life means more than mere survival. It means choosing to live with integrity, to value relationships, to embody faith and compassion. It is the ultimate character test: not just what we do when others are watching, but how we orient our lives toward what is good, right, and enduring.

Lesson:

Parashat Nitzavim teaches that character is what allows us to stand, through trials, across generations, and in covenant with HaShem. Titles fade, possessions vanish, but character remains. When we choose honesty, humility, and responsibility, we are not only choosing life for ourselves, but also strengthening the covenant that binds us all together. In essence, Parashat Nitzavim reminds us that character is not about what we achieve outwardly, but who we are inwardly—how we treat others, the choices we make, and our ability to return and renew. Standing before Hashem, we stand not as titles or roles, but as people of character.