Right to Repair is not only an industry principle but, in a growing number of jurisdictions, a legal right designed to ensure that vehicle owners and independent repairers can obtain the information, tools, software and replacement parts needed to diagnose, maintain and repair vehicles. These laws and regulations seek to prevent manufacturers from restricting essential repair information to their own authorized networks. As vehicles have become increasingly computerized, that legal access has expanded beyond mechanical manuals and physical parts to include diagnostic data, electronic service information, software functions and, in some cases, access to connected vehicle systems.

For the automotive aftermarket, these legal protections are fundamental to preserving competition and consumer choice. Without enforceable access rights, independent garages will gradually be locked out of repairing newer vehicles even when they have the technical skills to do the work. Right to Repair laws therefore help ensure that drivers can choose where their vehicles are serviced, that independent workshops can continue to compete, and that the aftermarket retains access to the information necessary to keep vehicles on the road. As cars become more software-dependent and connected, the legal right to repair increasingly depends as much on access to data as on access to the physical vehicle itself.

Just as Right to Repair seeks to ensure that the information needed to maintain and repair a vehicle remains legally accessible, the Torah readings of Nitzavim and Vayelech (Book of Deuteronomy, Chapters 29-31) emphasizes that the Torah itself was not meant to be beyond reach. Moses tells the people that the commandment is “not in heaven” and not “beyond the sea,” but rather close enough to be understood and acted upon. The principle is strikingly similar: essential knowledge should not be locked away where only a select few can access it. Whether dealing with religious obligations or increasingly complex vehicles, people must be able to reach the information they need in order to fulfill their responsibilities.

The Torah reading starts with all of Israel standing before Moses to enter into the covenant. The gathering includes the leaders, elders, officers, men, women, children, and strangers, from the most prominent members of the nation to those performing the simplest work.

Moses explains that the covenant includes both those standing there and future generations. He warns against anyone who secretly turns toward the gods of the surrounding nations while assuming that no harm will come to him.

If Israel abandons the covenant, future generations and foreign nations will see the devastation of the land and ask why it happened. The answer will be that the people abandoned their covenant and worshipped other gods, bringing exile upon themselves.

Moses then speaks of a future return. After experiencing blessing and curse and being scattered among the nations, the people will turn back to God. They will be gathered from exile and returned to the land of their ancestors.

Their fortunes will be restored, and their hearts and the hearts of their descendants will be opened to love God. The curses that had fallen upon Israel will instead fall upon its enemies, while Israel will again experience prosperity and blessing.

Moses tells the people that the commandments are not beyond their reach. They are not in heaven, requiring someone to ascend and retrieve them, nor across the sea, requiring someone to travel there. The word is very near, in their mouths and hearts, so that they can fulfill it.

He places before them life and good, death and evil. If they love God, follow His ways, and keep His commandments, they will live and prosper in the land. If they turn away and worship other gods, they will perish.

He calls heaven and earth as witnesses and places before Israel life and death, blessing and curse. He urges them to choose life so that they and their descendants may live in the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Moses then tells the people that he is 120 years old and can no longer lead them across the Jordan. Joshua will lead them, and the nations occupying the land will be defeated as Sihon and Og were defeated.

Moses encourages Israel to be strong and courageous and not fear their enemies. He then calls Joshua before the people and gives him the same encouragement, telling him that he will bring the nation into the land and divide it among them.

Moses writes down the Torah and gives it to the Kohens and elders. Every seven years, during the Sabbatical year at Sukkot, when Israel gathers at the chosen place, the Torah is to be read publicly before the entire nation.

Men, women, children, and strangers are to gather for this reading so that they may hear, learn, and observe the commandments. Their children, who did not personally experience the earlier events, are also to hear and learn.

Moses and Joshua are summoned to the Tent of Meeting. The Divine presence appears in a pillar of cloud.

Moses is told that after his death the people will eventually turn away and worship foreign gods. They will break the covenant, and severe troubles will follow.

A song is therefore to be taught to Israel as a witness. The people are to learn it so that when future suffering comes, the song will remind them of the warnings they received.

Moses writes down the song and teaches it to the Israelites. Joshua is again strengthened and instructed to lead the nation into the Promised Land.

When Moses finishes writing the words of the Torah, he instructs the Levites who carry the Ark to place the Torah beside the Ark of the Covenant as a witness.

Moses tells the leaders that he knows the people have been rebellious during his lifetime and fears they will become even more corrupt after his death.

The portion concludes with Moses assembling the elders and officers of the tribes so that he can speak the words of the song before the entire congregation.

Next week’s reading of Haazinu is built around Moses’ final song to Israel, a poetic review of the nation’s relationship with God. The song recalls God’s care for Israel, warns that future prosperity may lead the people to forget Him, and describes the punishment that will follow rebellion. It also speaks of eventual justice and restoration. The portion concludes with Moses being told to ascend Mount Nebo, view the Promised Land, and prepare for his death.