These three sources are quite clear: each one of the members of the people, beyond the social status imposed by society from birth, had the right to participate in the covenant, to fulfill the commandments, and listen to the reading of the law. There is no mention of separation between rich and poor, women and men, adults and elders. Notwithstanding the imposed differences and hierarchies, they are all at the same level before God; there is no segregation, oppression, nor discrimination.

Western society, since its origins, is structured from hierarchies and social differences, some being the masters and some the slaves, some the ones with power and others the ones subject to it. Some with access to knowledge, and others prohibited from accessing it. A main part of the history of humanity is the struggle to become masters and stop being slaves. The great paradigm is that some are the norm, and those who do not fit in, are outsiders. Thus, we have hundreds of minority groups, marginalized because they do not agree with the alleged norm. Human beings being so different, how could we be measured on the same scale! The winners are those not just holding power but also the wisdom and privilege to transmit it to their equals. This has been our reality for hundreds of years, and is still so today. There have been changes in the last decades, but not enough for us to live in an egalitarian and fair society. Our tradition has not been an exception, but we may find a hidden message telling us that God approaches everyone equally; the covenant is open to everybody, even if we are different.

Going back to the first verses of our parashah, there is a Midrash that asks when will be the time when the entire people will really be standing before God, and answers that it will be the moment they are united as a bale of hay. When someone takes a bale of hay, it is difficult to break. However, when someone takes separate strands of hay, even a baby can break it. From here we infer that the people of Israel will only be redeemed when we are united as a bale of hay (Yalkut Shimoni). We could add: when there is equality, respect, and justice between all human beings. When young and old, men and women, rich and poor, despite their differences, are united before God.

Everyone, absolutely everyone, has the chance to participate in the covenant. The possibility to observe the covenant and keep it upright falls in each one of us. What matters is not age, gender, or social status, but rather will, courage, and faith. It is up to us to stand before God each moment of our lives.

In a few days we will begin to experience the High Holy Days. Perhaps it is the appropriate time for us to ask ourselves what kind of covenant do we practice daily, and which covenant do we want to join this coming year. What mitzvot had we planned and didn’t perform. What did we promise and did not fulfill, and what are our current goals. What mitzvah do we want to teach our children, and what are we really teaching them?

May we renew our covenant these High Holy Days, may we commit and unite. May we achieve a world where all members of society are respected and can live with dignity.