Our lives as individuals often display two quite different features.  One is dynamism, movement, progress, discovery and change.  The second feature, seemingly the opposite, yet also very important, is the attempt to strengthen one's position, to consolidate, to attempt to be secure and firm, immoveable.  The combination of these two contrasting qualities creates a healthy dynamic.  One moves forward and grows - but not at the expense of what one has already gained.  There is the thrust towards expansion and also a concern for consolidation.

These two qualities are expressed by the names of the double Torah portion which is read this Shabbat, the Shabbat before the New Year, Rosh Hashanah.  The first Torah portion is called Nitzavim, which means in Hebrew "standing firm."  In its opening words, Moses tells the Jewish people "you are all standing firm here today."  The second Torah portion is called Vayelech, which means "he went," referring to Moses:  "Moses went and said these words to the Jewish people."