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 for Shabbat, October 5, 2024 aka 3 Tishrei 5785:
“The words of this week’s Haftorah begin “Return O Israel to the L-rd your G-d”. This implies that humans have a built-in reset button that we can access whenever we stray from the correct path. An interesting question we can ask about this. What if we did better this past year than the previous one? Do we still need to reboot? The answer is yes, always.
The starting point of each year bids us to identify the characteristics about ourselves that keep us from being or best . Every human being has the potential to be kind and caring. We also, unfortunately also have the potential to be hard-hearted and selfish. The path we choose is partially influenced by genetics and environment but ultimately the choices we make are within our power. This is why the High Holidays places so much emphasis on mindfulness, forgiveness, and self-examination.
Moses, in Sedra Haazinu, places special emphasis on reviewing our deeds and helping us realize that our personal deeds collectively lead to ultimate success or failure. 5784 was a terribly difficult and challenging year. Moses teaches that if we remain steadfast, thankful for our blessings, and true to G-d, then we will ultimately be rewarded and will be empowered to face these challenges with courage and confidence.
May this new year bring us the attainment of victory over those who represent evil and negative forces in our lives and against our people. May this be a year of reaching higher and seeking to make our world kinder and more accepting of all around us. L’shana Tova Tichtemu V’Techatemu!”
Questions:
- Why does Moses refer to the previous generation as “a generation of emptiness and rebellion”?
- Why did Moses use poetry to share his final message?
- How does Moses final message emphasize both and collective responsibility?
- How does Moses express his greatest fear and hope for the future?
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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