This week’s parasha begins by saying, “You stand this day, all of you, standard bearers ready to enter into this covenant.” This is one of the few times when the Torah REALLY means all of you. The Torah presents a nearly exhaustive, meristic list of those in entered into the covenant including tribal heads, elders, officials, land owners, children, wives, resident strangers, wood choppers and water drawers, but it doesn’t stop there! The Torah goes on to say that this covenant, which began with the patriarchs and matriarchs, is not only for those who are “standing here today,” but also “with those who are not here with us this day.”
Judaism, thank God, is not just for yesteryear or the ancient past. Our ancestors throughout time and space have demonstrated Judaism is for today, tomorrow and forever, too. By enjoining God in this covenant, from generation to generation, we take on the yoke of responsibility to ensure that Judaism remains and thrives for those Jews still yet to be, such that the Jewish people—no matter their background or origin—can find themselves in this covenant; in this tent.