When you Choose Shabbat, you choose to learn that every Shabbat is different and special. This week I learned about Parashat Haazinu (הַאֲזִינוּ), the tenth Torah reading in the Book of Deuteronomy and 53rd weekly Torah portion in the annual cycle of Torah readings.
I also learned that the Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is known as Shabbat Shuvah, or Shabbat of Return, because its special Haftarah reading that begins with the words Shuvah Yisrael “Return O Israel,” from the prophecy of Hoshea.
According to Wikipedia, Haazinu (הַאֲזִינוּ), Deuteronomy 32:1 through 32:52, contains 2,326 Hebrew letters, 614 words, 52 verses and makes up 92 lines of the Torah scroll. Haazinu, the Hebrew word for “listen” when directed to more than one person, includes the “Song of Moses”; an indictment of sins, a prophecy of punishment and a promise of God’s ultimate redemption.
Rabbi Michael D Klein of Temple Torat Emet offers his insights on this week’s Torah reading, Haazinu:
“In the final days of his life Moses writes and recites poetry and shares it with the children of those who came from Egyptian bondage. Is it history or a warning for the future? Is Moses describing the unworthiness of the now departed generation or, perhaps, warning the new generation not to become lazy and complacent in fulfilling the Torah after the time of inheriting the good land which G-d has given them? If we accept that the words contained in Haazinu are a warning to future generations then this Sedra certainly seals Moses’ place in history as prophet and teacher.
Moses uses many examples of the consequences of immorality, idolatry, and injustice and thus, serves as a template for future prophets Isaiah, Amos, Hosea et al, whose parallel messages also warn Israel of the dangers inherent in ignoring the Torah as G-d’s law. Moses ends his poetry with a prose postscript in verses 46 and 47. “Take to heart all the words which I have enjoined upon you today……for this is not a trivial thing for you, It is your very life so that you may long endure on the Land….” Moses love for Klal Yisroel is expressed in the hope that we will always be worth to merit G-d’s ultimate gift- the Land of Israel- which will be nurtured and sustained as long as the people hold faith and observe the Torah and learn and apply its Laws to their daily lives.
Thus, it is for us in later generations to learn and teach and live lives of Torah by our actions and deeds so that Moses’ memory always may bless us and protect us as G-d’s greatest teacher and prophet.
- What is Moses trying to teach by referring to G-d as Tzur- the Rock?
- Why does Moses refer to Israel as a “nation that stands apart”? Whose words is he echoing?
- Moses refers to the generation who came from Egypt as crooked and corrupt. Why does he use such harsh language.
- Why does Moses use so many references to the harshness of the desert?“
Rabbi Michael D. Klein attended Yeshiva College of South Florida and served as Torah Reader, Hebrew teacher, Chazzan and spiritual leader of various synagogues throughout South Florida. In January 2015 he became Ritual Director, Bnai/Bnot Mitzvah instructor and 7th grade Hebrew instructor for Temple Torat Emet of Boynton Beach. In October 2019 he was accepted into an accelerated track at Yeshiva/Mesifta Adas Wolkowisk, completed his Rabbinical studies in July 2020 and has been the Rabbinic leadership of Temple Torat Emet since August 2020. In September of 2022 he was appointed Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor of the Florida Region of FJMC.
Choose Shabbat; choose to celebrate, to light candles, sing songs and learn a little Torah.
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