DOCSLIB.ORG

Parashat-Devarim-5781 EDITED.Pdf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Parashat-Devarim-5781 EDITED.Pdf THIS WEEK’S TORAH PORTION DEUTERONOMY 1:1-3:22 תרפש ִיםָרְדּב / Parashat Devarim In this week’s guide… Rabbi Jason’s COMMENTARY breaks down the profound link between this week’s Torah portion and teshuvah…“repentance.” None of us enjoys taking a long, hard, honest look at our sinfulness, but this is an essential component of teshuvah. But what is the point of it all? Is there more to repentance than “clearing our record”? Join us as we journey deeper into the ways in which teshuvah affects our spiritual and personal growth in Yeshua......................................................................... ........................ Our NEW TESTAMENT TIE-IN takes a closer look at that venerable character from the story of the Twelve Spies: Caleb. Out the outset of Devarim, Moses tells the story of that tragic event to the offspring of that generation who died in the wilderness because of its refusal to trust the Lord. We know Caleb for his boldness and courage in the face of steep challenges, but Moses describes him a bit differently. Let’s travel from the arid Negev to the shores of the Sea of Galilee to discover a powerful tie-in.................................................................................................................... BY THE NUMBERS is packed with a host of connections, all flowing from the title of this week’s Torah portion. Grab you notebook—virtual or literal—and get ready for a deep dive into the themes of God’s Word, the Fall, and the Messiah (but, of course, there’s more!)................................................... OVERVIEW Devarim is both the title for the last book from the scroll of the Torah and the title of the first Torah portion therein. Devarim means “words.” The Hebrew title for the book comes from the opening phrase of the book: “These are the words (devarim) that Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan” (Deut 1:1). One ancient name for the book of Deuteronomy is Mishnah HaTorah, which means “repetition of the Torah.” This is similar to the Greek Septuagint name Deuteronomos (“Deuteronomy” is derived from Deuteronomos), which means “second law.” FUSION GLOBAL WITH RABBI JASON תשרפ רבד םי / Weekly Torah Portion – Parashat Devarim Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 COMMENTARY by Rabbi Jason Sobel Why is Devarim always read on the Shabbat before the 9th of Av, also known as Tisha B’Av? What connection does it have to this tragic day, and what relevant lessons does it communicate to us? Tisha B’Av—which begins this Saturday evening, July 17th, until sunset on the 18th—commemorates several terrible tragedies that have befallen our people, including the chorban bet hammiqdash, the destruction of the First and Second Temples. To remember these tragic events and learn from them, observant Jews fast on the 9th of Av. Elaborating further on the reason why Jews fast on certain days like Tisha B’Av, the Qitzur Shulchan Arukh states: It is a commandment from the Prophets to fast on those days that troubles befell our ancestors (Zechariah 8:19). The purpose of the fast is to arouse our hearts to search the ways of repentance, and let this be a reminder to our evil deeds and our ancestors that were like our present [evil] deeds until it caused them and us those troubles [that we are fasting for]. By remembering these things we will repent . The iee a esui eusae he as A Therefore it is incumbent upon each person on those days to search by David Roberts (1850) his ways and to turn from them. Because the main thing is not the fasting . The fast is only a preparation to repentance. On Tisha B’Av, we should take the time to examine our own lives and repent from our sins. But how does the theme of teshuva (“repentance”) connect to this week’s Torah portion? The beginning of this week’s Torah portion states, “Moses took it upon himself to expound this Torah” (Deut 1:5). But why is this statement made here? The expounding of the Torah doesn’t begin until chapter five (with the restatement of the Ten Commandments)? Would it not make more sense for verse five to appear as a preface to chapter five? One Jewish expositor offers the following answer to our question: According to our Sages, one of the most fundamental principals in the worship of God is that one must repent of one’s past transgressions before beginning to learn Torah . It was keeping with this basic precept of Judaism that Moses reproved the people before he proceeded to teach them the commandments of the Torah. The verse under discussion was placed immediately before the admonitions to explain why Moses wanted to recall the sin of the children of Israel. It was because Moses “took it upon himself to explain the Torah” that he had to reprove his people to cause them to repent of their sins. - Me’or VeShemesh The answer to this question is just one way that connects Parashat Devarim and Tisha B’Av. Both recall the past transgressions of our predecessors to move us to repentance. By learning from their mistakes and turning from them, we bring about a tiqqun (rectification) for both our sin and the generational sin of our ancestors. As it states in Leviticus 26:40, “They shall confess their sin and the sin of their ancestors.” What were their sins and the “sin of our ancestors” that led to the destruction of the second bet hammiqdash? Knowing the answer to this question is essential so that we do not continue to repeat their mistakes and thus bring further harm to our people and ourselves. According to our Sages, the primary sin that led to the Second Temple’s destruction was sinat chinam: gratuitous, senseless hatred among Jews. Instead of putting their differences aside to fight the Romans during the siege of Jerusalem, many chose violence toward one another because of their deep hatred (see Josephus and b. Gittin 55b). Does the Sages’ explanation of the destruction of the second bet hammiqdash align with Yeshua’s teachings concerning the Temple’s ruin? In Matthew 23:36-39, He said, Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see me no more till you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD!” I believe the two explanations are compatible. Both the brutal treatment of Messiah Yeshua—who came humbly as the Prince of Peace to redeem Israel—and the infighting that occurred in the first century among Jews were rooted in sinat chinam, senseless hatred. The Talmud tells us that “Every generation that does not merit the rebuilding of the Temple is deemed to have destroyed it” (y. Yoma 1:1). This compelling statement merits careful consideration. This assertion is an indictment of every generation since the Temple’s destruction. It reminds us that we are still guilty of the same sins. In our world today, we see several instances of senseless and gratuitous hatred: • There is a significant rise in racism against minorities. • There is a vast divide and growing hatred between liberals and conservatives. • There has been a substantial increase in anti-Semitic attacks in Europe and the U.S. The kind of hatred that destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem persists today, even in the Body of Messiah. There is a significant amount of back-biting, gossip, infighting, and harsh judgment—not to mention the jockeying for position, power, and personal gain between individual believers, denominations, and local communities. We are as guilty as our ancestors in whose footsteps we are following unless we learn to love and respect other believers in Messiah, the Jewish people (and all people for that matter). . .. Tisha B’Av . Yeshua .Yeshua . NEW TESTAMENT TIE-IN The name of this week’s Torah portion is also the title of the fifth book of the Torah, Devarim. Of course, our English versions of the Scriptures have entitled this final book of Moses, “Deuteronomy,” which is based in Greek and means “second law” (deuteros + nomos). This name is a noticeable departure from the Hebrew Bible. Still, it reflects the book’s contents: a review of the Exodus-Numbers narrative and a repetition of the content of the Law for a new generation. . When Adonai heard the tone of your words, He was angry and swore an oath saying, “Not one of these men of this evil generation will see the good land that I swore to give your fathers—except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He will see it—yet to him and his children I will give the land that he has walked on, because he has followed Adonai wholeheartedly.” (Deut 1:34-36) Be like Caleb. . . Caleb was “all for following God, heart and soul” (Deut 1:36b MSG). Believing the right things and living the right way are important for us. Yet, Yeshua’s initial call to His disciples was only “Follow Me” (see Mt 4:19; 9:9). What if the believing and the living flow out of the following? Following implies a relationship, and not just any relationship, but one of humble surrender. This insight is crucial because, frankly, one can believe the right ideas and live out the proper ethics as expressions of pride (e.g., the Pharisees). We know that Caleb believed and did the right things (see Num 13:30), but this week’s Torah portion seems to suggest that these were evidence that he was following Adonai.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Parashat Chukat Sicha of Harav Aharon Lichtenstein
    PARASHAT CHUKAT SICHA OF HARAV AHARON LICHTENSTEIN SHLIT"A The Sin of Moshe and Aharon Summarized by Matan Glidai Translated by Kaeren Fish "And God said to Moshe and Aharon: Because you did not believe in Me, to sanctify Me in the eyes of Bnei Yisrael, therefore you shall not bring this congregation to the land which I have given them." (20:12) This verse describes a great tragedy – Moshe and Aharon, who have been the leaders of Am Yisrael for a generation and a half, and who have done so much for the nation, will not be permitted to enter the land. This tragedy disturbed Chazal and the various commentators greatly, especially in light of the fact that the Torah does not state explicitly what they did wrong. Because their sin is not altogether clear, the commentators offer several different explanations. Rashi maintains that God had commanded them to speak to the rock (verse 8) and they sinned by striking it (verse 11). This, then, represented a deviation from the command that they were given, and Rashi explains that their action also diminished the scale of the kiddush Hashem (sanctification of the Divine Name): "For had you spoken to the rock and then it gave water, I would have been sanctified in the eyes of the nation. They would have said, 'This rock - which does not speak, nor does it hear, nor has it any need of sustenance – obeys the command of the Holy One; how much more so should we.'" (Rashi on verse 12) Briefly, the crux of the sin according to this view lies in the deviation from God's command.
    [Show full text]
  • Parshat Lech Lecha Weekly Dvar Torah Sefer Hayashar
    Parshat Lech Lecha 10 Cheshvan 5780 / November 9, 2019 Daf Yomi: Nidah 17;Nach Yomi:1 Divrei Hayamim 5 Weekly Dvar Torah A project of the NATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG ISRAEL SPONSORED BY THE HENRY, BERTHA AND EDWARD ROTHMAN FOUNDATION ROCHESTER, NY,CLEVELAND, OHIO, CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO Sefer HaYashar Rabbi Chanaya Berman Graduate, NCYI Rabbinic Training Program Many of us know that, in addition to the classical names of the Chamisha Chumshei Torah, there are other names that Chazal use to refer to these seforim. We are most familiar with Devarim which is referred to as Mishneh Torah, and Vayikra as Toras Kohanim. These names reflect the essence of the respective seforim; Mishneh Torah since its theme is a review of the entire Torah, and Toras Kohanim since it primarily deals with laws pertaining to the Beit Hamikdash and Kohanim. The Gemara, however, tells us that Sefer Bereishit also has a second name – Sefer Hayashar. The Gemara goes on to explain that, since this sefer deals with the Avot (our forefathers, Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov) who are called Yesharim, it is fitting to call the sefer by that title as well. The Netziv, in his introduction to Sefer Bereishit, questions why the Avot are called Yesharim and not chassidim or tzaddikim? He goes on to explain that the way they dealt with people (even ones that did not agree with their way of thinking) was in a manner that can only be described as Yashar – straight. The Netziv goes on to say that we have to learn from the Avot and emulate their actions according to our abilities and our understanding.
    [Show full text]
  • Chukat Artscroll P.838 | Haftarah P.1187 Hertz P.652 | Haftarah P.664 Soncino P.898 | Haftarah P.911
    13 July 2019 10 Tammuz 5779 Shabbat ends London 10.16pm Jerusalem 8.28pm Volume 31 No. 45 Chukat Artscroll p.838 | Haftarah p.1187 Hertz p.652 | Haftarah p.664 Soncino p.898 | Haftarah p.911 In loving memory of Yehuda ben Yaakov HaCohen “Speak to the Children of Israel, and they shall take to you a completely red cow, which is without blemish, and upon which a yoke has not come” (Bemidbar 19:2). 1 Sidrah Summary: Chukat 1st Aliya (Kohen) – Bemidbar 19:1-17 Kadesh through his land. Despite Moshe’s God tells Moshe and Aharon to teach the nation assurances that they will not take any of his the laws of the Red Heifer ( ). The resources, Edom refuses and comes out to unblemished animal, which hPaasr anhe vAedr uhmada h a yoke threaten the Israelites militarily. The Israelites upon it, is to be given to Elazar, Aharon’s son, who turn away. must slaughter it outside the camp. It is then to be 5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 20:22-21:9 burned by a different Kohen, who must also throw The nation travels from Kadesh to Mount Hor. some cedar wood, hyssop and crimson thread Upon God’s command, Moshe, Aharon and Elazar into the fire. Both he and Elazar will become ritually ascend Mount Hor. Elazar dons Aharon’s special impure ( ) through this preparatory process. (High Priest) garments, after which In contratasmt, ethe ashes of the Heifer, when mixed AKhohareonn G daiedso.l The nation mourns Aharon’s death with water, are used to purify someone who has for 30 days (see p.3 article).
    [Show full text]
  • Devarim 5780
    סב ׳ ׳ ד רבד י ם שת ״ ף Devarim 5780 Followership ** KEY IDEA OF THE WEEK ** Judaism encourages followers and leaders to form a partnership of mutual respect. PARSHAT DEVARIM IN A NUTSHELL The book of Devarim is, in essence, Moses’ renewal of the Israel about the story of the spies and the people’s lack of same covenant that God made with Israel at Mount Sinai. faith that led to forty year wandering in the desert. This time Moses joins the covenant to the next generation, Then he moves on to more recent events, retelling the because they will soon enter the Promised Land and create a stories of their battles and victories over Moab and Ammon society based on the Torah there. And because a covenant and the settlement of their land (on the other side of the often begins with a preamble and an historical outline, this is River Jordan) by the tribes of Reuben and Gad and part of also how parshat Devarim begins. Moses explains the Menashe. The parsha ends with the appointment of Joshua background to the covenant, and then discusses the events as his successor. He will lead the people into the Land. that led to the covenant and its renewal. First we have an introduction which describes the time and QUESTION TO PONDER: place: we are in the last weeks of Moses’ life and the people Why do you think Joshua was chosen to lead after Moses? are camped by the banks of the River Jordan. Moses reminds THE CORE IDEA In the last month of his life, Moses gathered the people and ‘Send men …” In our parsha, it was the people who taught them the laws they were to keep and reminded them requested it: “Then all of you came to me and said, ‘Let us of their history since the Exodus.
    [Show full text]
  • Torah Portion: Devarim; Shabbat Hazon
    TORAH PORTION: DEVARIM; SHABBAT HAZON Parashat Devarim; Shabbat Hazon July 17, 2021, 8 Av 5781 Torah: Deuteronomy 1-3:22; Triennial 2:2-30 Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27 In this week's Torah Sparks, you'll find a D'var Torah on the Parashah by Ilana Kurshan called "Not Just a Second Torah", Vered Hollander-Goldfarb poses questions titled "It´s Lonely at the Top" and Bex Stern Rosenblatt writes about "The Widow and the Whore" in the Haftarah. Choose a TORAH SPARKS Subscription! Download TORAH SPARKS Print-Friendly File D'VAR TORAH Not Just a Second Torah Ilana Kurshan With this week’s parashah we begin Sefer Devarim, the final book of the Torah and the one referred to by the Talmudic rabbis as Mishneh Torah – a second Torah (see, for instance, Berakhot 21b, based on Deut 17:18). The Tosafot explain that the book of Devarim is referred to as such because “it reviews and repeats what came previously” (Tosafot on Gittin 2a). Most of the book consists of Moshe’s summation of the story of the Exodus from Egypt, the revelation at Sinai, and the Israelites’ desert wanderings. And yet as our parashah demonstrates, Sefer Devarim is more of an interpretation than a repetition, raising questions about the extent to which all memory is selective, all repetition is commentary, and, as William Faulkner famously put it, “the past is never truly past.” Moshe begins his final address to the people by reviewing several episodes from the previous three books of the Bible, including the appointment of magistrates to help Moshe judge the people, the sending of spies to scout out the land of Canaan, and the journey through the lands belonging to the Moabites and Amorites.
    [Show full text]
  • Parashat-Shelach-Compressed.Pdf
    Parashat Shelach THIS WEEK’S TORAH PORTION NUMBERS 13:1-15:41 תרפש לש ח ־ ל ך / Parashat Shelach In this week’s guide… This COMMENTARY from Rabbi Jason is going to challenge you. Have you ever struggled to step out and do something that God has called you to do? Have you ever made a decision that seemed good at the time, but failed to talk to God about it beforehand? If so, you’re not alone. AND…you should not despair! God is present to us, bringing wisdom and understanding to move forward in faith and trust. We follow a King who rebukes storms and walks on the waves. We don’t need to live in fear—a timely word for this season.................................................... ................1 In our NEW TESTAMENT TIE-IN we consider insights related to the tassels that the Lord prescribed for the Jewish people (to be worn as reminders). Why would they need reminding and what good could it produce? Ultimately, we need to consider not only the innate brokenness of the human condition, but the deeper meaning of obeying God’s commands. We may not wear tassels today, but we still need to be reminded that God wants us to live a certain way. Yeshua has given us the most powerful and effective reminder we could ever want!............................. ...................2 BY THE NUMBERS explores the phrase that is the sources the name of this week’s Torah Portion, Shelach Lecha/“Send for yourself.” The numerical value of this phrase points us to deeper truth (“There’s more…!”).
    [Show full text]
  • Lech Lecha 2016
    November 11, 2016 R’ Tzvi then said ‘I am willing to be Moser Nefesh to י' חשון תשעז like it was given דברי אלה-ים חיים Hashem with love to hear פרשת לך לך Are you really enjoying by Sinai. If my soul departs from my body, I am doing the At times we may observe one who behaves in a will of Hashem.’ At that time, a new spirit was endowed secular manner saying he had a great time. Is that really to him from the heavens. He then saw the fire of Hashem true? Many times those behaving this way are left with a in the house which was inconceivable. Then when the כי עזה כמות אהבה וגו' שלהבתיה feeling of emptiness. Their bragging is just a cover. Rebbe recited the Pasuk ; …its flashes are flashes of fire from the flame of Hashem, R’ from the great (כמעט נתבטל במציאות) This can be compared to a fish that is out of Tzvi nearly lost his life water as it jumps around uncontrollably. Although it fervor and passion. Hashem then helped R’ Tzvi until his 9 appears that the fish is really alive, we know the opposite Rebbi finished Shir Hashirim. is true since his real habitat is in water. That is when he is truly living. The same applies to when a Jew strays from Everyone has a need to connect to the Creator. If the proper path. Although it seems like he is having fun he doesn’t, then the need manifests itself in gratifying הנפש לא by jumping around- with alcohol, the opposite gender the body in material ways.
    [Show full text]
  • June 10, 2021: Chaplain Wade Butler at Times I Have Been Questioned About the Foundations of This Ministry. It Is 2 Chronicles 7
    June 10, 2021: Chaplain Wade Butler At times I have been questioned about the foundations of this ministry. It is 2 Chronicles 7:14. Amplified Bible, Classic Edition 14 If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Page 1 of 94 Several years ago we added 2 Chronicles 20:20B. Amplified Bible, Classic Edition 20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God and you shall be established; believe and remain steadfast to His prophets and you shall prosper. Therefor you will read a lot of Prophets words and their quoting the LORD. Buckle up for this month is packed with solid Revelation form the LORD!!!!! The Biblical Month of Tammuz (Hebrew), begins this year at sundown on June 11, 2021 to sundown July 9, 2021. With each new month of the Hebrew calendar we cross over into new territory yet at the same time experience the fullness of the LORDS foundations for the season we are entering. Each Month is a new opportunity! Each month represents a new opportunity to make a difference, in the kingdom of GOD, in our own lives, our families and those around us. We need to get back to work keeping in mind that our Father orchestrated this lockdown.
    [Show full text]
  • Devarim – Devarim/Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 V'etchanan – Devarim
    Devarim – Devarim/Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 The Text – Key verses in this parasha 2:1 We marched back into the wilderness by the way of the Sea of Reeds, as the Lord had spoken to me, and skirted the hill country of Seir a long time. 2:2-6 Then the Lord said to me: You have been skirting this hill country long enough; now turn north. And charge the people as follows: You will be passing through the territory of your kinsmen, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. Though they will be afraid of you, be very careful not to provoke them. For I will not give you of their land so much as a foot can tread on; I have given the hill country of Seir as a possession to Esau. What food you eat you shall obtain from them for money; even the water you drink you shall procure from them for money. The Context – The verses in plain English In Devarim, Moses speaks to the Israelites, reminding them of the events that took place and the laws they received during the course of their 40-year journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. As part of his recitation, he recalls God’s instruction to the Israelites that they compensate those people whose lands they travel through for any resources they use during the journey. For Discussion – What it means for advocates 1) This divine injunction reflects the importance of using resources judiciously, and of respecting the rights of those whose resources we use.
    [Show full text]
  • The Twelve Spies
    Lesson The Twelve Spies 2 H Overview f Scriptures Num 13:1-14:38 Materials You’ll Need Bible Truth Objective(s) God keeps His promises small paper plates 8 H Behavioral Objective(s) 8 markers and crayons To believe God and trust in His ways; to show our 8 scissors 8 glue obedience to God with actions 8 cellophane Memory Verse 8 craft sticks “The Lord is with us. Do not fear them.” (Num 14:9) H H said in Numbers 14:22 that the Israelites had already Bible Knowledge failed ten times to trust and obey Him. Here is a list b of their ten failures: Canaan 1) Lacking trust at the crossing of the Red Sea (Ex God told the Israelites that the Promised Land 14:11, 12); was rich and fertile. As the twelve spies discovered, 2) Complaining over bitter water at Marah (Ex the land of Canaan was indeed magnificent. The 15:24); Bible often calls it “the land flowing with milk and 3) Complaining in the wilderness of Sin (Ex 16:3); honey.” Although the land was only 150 miles long 4) Collecting more than the daily quota of manna and 60 miles wide, its lush hillsides were covered (Ex 16:20); with fig, date, and nut trees. It was the land God had 5) Collecting manna on the Sabbath (Ex 16:27-29); promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 6) Complaining over the lack of water at Rephidim (Ex 17:2, 3); The Israelites’ Lack of Trust in God 7) Committing idolatry by constructing the golden When the spies returned to Kadesh from scout- calf (Ex 32:7-10); ing the new land, the people had to decide whether 8) Complaining at Taberah (Num 11:1); to enter the land or to retreat.
    [Show full text]
  • The Twelve Spies Caleb
    THE DOWNRIVER DISCIPLES PROJECT explores THE TWELVE SPIES CALEB The journey of the Twelve Spies can be found in the Old So, following the directions given by Moses, off the Testament (1) book of Numbers (2), the 4th book of the Twelve went into Canaan, During their travels, they cut Holy Bible (3). The narrative in Numbers 13:1-33 dis- a branch containing a cluster of grapes to bring back closes the account of a group of Israelite leaders who from their journey. After 40 (13) days, the Twelve ended were hand selected by Moses (4) to scout Canaan, the their exploration and returned to their people. Upon land set aside by God (5) Himself as the future home for arrival back in the Desert of Paran, the Twelve Spies the Twelve Tribes of Israel (6) after their Exodus from gave a report to Moses, Aaron (14) and the entire com- Egypt (7) (explore Exodus 12:31-42). munity. They showed everyone the branch of grapes they brought back and shared that the land did, indeed, (NOTE: The region of Canaan is also known as the flow with milk and honey. But there were naysayers "Promised Land" (8) as it was previously promised by within the Twelve, who disclosed they saw powerful the LORD to Abraham (9) (Genesis 12:1-7, Genesis 15:1- people and large, fortified cities in Canaan. This 20) and his descendants. This sworn oath was subse- brought in a fear over the Israelites. quently reaffirmed by the LORD with Abraham's son, Isaac (10) (Genesis 26:1-6), and again with Abraham's Caleb, one of the Twelve and an obedient (15) servant of grandson, Jacob (11) (Genesis 28:10-15).
    [Show full text]
  • !N:ßx;T.A,W" VA’ETCHANAN/AND I BEGGED Devarim/Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
    !N:ßx;t.a,w" VA’ETCHANAN/AND I BEGGED Devarim/Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11 This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Nachamu (Wmßx]n) referring to the opening words of the Haftara from Isaiah 40:1 – Comfort (Wmßx]n), comfort my people. The past three weeks have been a time of mourning the destruction and ruin that has so much been a part of the Israelite’s lives. Now it is time to put the past behind them and to focus on rebuilding and restoration. It is a time to be reenergized. To begin this period, Jews typically take outings to the country to enjoy the sea, sunsets, the landscape, and all other wonders of hwhy’s (Yahwey) creation in order to be both physically and spiritually reinvigorated. This Torah portion provides us with the manna we need for this spiritual recharge. This week we touch on important foundations of our faith. We will read of the awesomeness of Yah, His chosen people, His 10 Words (commandments), the good Land He has promised, and the love and fear of the Almighty. Moses takes a trip through history to remind the Israelites of the giving of the Torah and will teach them the most basic declaration of faith – The Shema. As believers, we are also able to see how Yeshua brought His followers back to these basics. We begin, however, with the disappointment of Moses as he begs to be given entrance into the Promised Land: Devarim 3:23 " Then I pleaded with hwhy at that time, saying: 24 'O hwhy Elohim, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds? 25 'I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, those pleasant mountains, and Lebanon.' Most of us feel sorry for Moses.
    [Show full text]