Parashat Nitzavim is juxtaposed to the series of blessings, and the much more extensive series of curses, recorded at the conclusion of Parashat Ki Tavo. According to the Sages, the formulation of the statement of Moses at the beginning of Nitzavim: “You are standing,” was intended to ease the minds of the Israelites, who were very disturbed after hearing the harsh curses.

Hizkiyya son of Rabbi Hiyya said: Why is this Torah portion juxtaposed to the portion of the curses? Because when the Israelites heard one hundred curses less two in that passage, in addition to the forty-nine curses that were stated in Torat Kohanim (Leviticus 26), their faces immediately turned pale, and they said: Who can withstand all these? Immediately, Moses summoned them and comforted them with his words….

If you say, asking: Why is it that the other nations of the world become liable to be eliminated when they sin, but we, the Israelites, continue to exist even after we sin? Because when suffering comes upon the other nations, they completely reject the lessons to be learned from them and do not acknowledge the name of the Holy One, blessed be He…. But Israel, when suffering comes upon them, accept it submissively, as it is stated: “I encounter distress and sorrow and I called in the name of the Lord” (Psalms 116:3–4).

Therefore, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to them: Although curses come upon you, the suffering bolsters you. Likewise the verse states: “In order to afflict you, and in order to test you, to do good for you in your future” (Deuteronomy 8:16). This is what Moses said to Israel: Even though suffering comes upon you, you are able to withstand it. Therefore it is stated here, after the curses were recorded: “You are standing” (29:9). (Tanĥuma [Buber], Nitzavim)