The Song of Days To Come
D’var Torah for Parashat Ha’azinu
By Rabbi Boaz D. Heilman
Parashat Ha’azinu (“Listen,” Deut. 32:1—32:52) almost
always coincides with Shabbat Shuva—the
Sabbath between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Shuva (“return”) has two
meanings. Symbolically, it refers to the
introspection, reflection and repentance that typify the Ten Days of Awe. However, there is a more literal meaning to
the word, too. Shuva is the command form of the verb “to return.” No matter how far we might have strayed from
God’s path, during these ten days we are urged to return to our ancient, true
ways, with the assurance that God will always take us back with love.
The
portion contains powerful imagery (the eagle that soars high above the earth as
it carries its young to safety) as well as graceful pastoral visions (gentle
rains, dew appearing overnight on blades of grass). It is truly some of the most beautiful poetry
in the entire Bible; yet it isn’t art for art sake alone. There is an important message here: God’s protection of Israel is like that of
the watchful eagle; God’s lessons are like the gentle rains that bring renewed
life to the parched earth.
Moses’s
final vision is one of vast spaciousness.
He calls upon the heaven and the earth, as witnesses to God’s act of
Creation, to testify to God’s purpose.
He envisions all the nations of the earth parting to make room for God’s
chosen people, Israel. Speaking to the
Israelites who are about to enter the Promised Land, Moses urges them to seek
the wisdom of the elders, to understand to what end they had been chosen and
for what future purpose they are appointed.
It is a timeless revelation that spans all time and all creation.
Moses foresees the people forsaking
God. Having entered the Promised Land,
they will forget their Covenant with the God who brought them there. Instead, they will offer sacrifices to no-god
demons, with disastrous results. God’s
rage will be like a firestorm, “consuming the earth along with its produce,
setting aflame the foundations of the mountains” (Deut. 32:22). The earth will turn sulfurous and cast the
people out into exile.
It is a vision of terrors, yet there is
recourse: Returning to God. It is for the sake of following God’s ways of
justice and compassion that Israel was brought to the Land of Israel. Teaching this to our children is the surest
way of ensuring that they will survive, too. “It is your life, and through this thing,
you will lengthen your days upon the land to which you are crossing over the
Jordan, to possess it" (Deut. 32:47).
Israel’s history has born out Moses’s
prophecy. Israel’s longevity cannot be
explained in any other way; it can only be ascribed to our devotion to the
Torah and to a life of righteousness.
Despite the hatred often shown us, despite exiles, persecution and
oppression, we are here, still heeding Moses’s words of caution. We take the education of our children
seriously; we study the lessons of our elders with careful attention. That, after all, is our life. It is these words, these teachings that give
meaning and purpose to our existence on this earth and in our Land.
And so every year, at this season of
nature’s renewal, we obey Moses’s call to return. However far we may have wandered, both
physically and spiritually, during these Days of Awe we gather with our
families and communities and renew our Covenant with God, committing ourselves
anew to our eternal purpose and mission.
As Parashat Ha’azinu comes to a close, Moses realizes that his work with
his people is nearly done. The glorious
vision he has witnessed is already dimming.
As the vast expanse of time and space that he envisioned closes in
around him, Moses finds himself strangely alone. The clamor of the people has retreated and
become a dull echo in the distance. Yet,
he is not really alone. Looking up, he suddenly finds himself on top of a
mountain. His vision clears and he sees
a strange land before him, a land flowing with milk and honey, its hills
covered with green grass, pastures and fields, orchards and vineyards extending
in all directions. A new sound reaches
his ears: It is the sound of children learning,
the sound of teachers patiently correcting, explaining, expounding. The words are oddly familiar, yet also new
and as sweet as the morning dew.
Puzzled,
Moses turns and sees God standing beside him, smiling. “Look around you,” says the kind, gentle
voice that he hears inside his head.
“Look all around. From north to
south, from east to west—this is the Land your people are to inherit.”
“And
the song I hear?”
“Don’t
you recognize it? These are the words of Torah. They are studying your Torah,
Moses.”
Moses
closes his eyes and listens. He sees the
future and is content.
© 2014
by Boaz D. Heilman
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