The Song of Heaven and Earth

The Song of Heaven and Earth
D’var Torah on Parashat Haazinu (Deuteronomy chapter 32)
By Rabbi Boaz D. Heilman


For his last lesson to the Israelite people, Moses sings a song. His career is spanned by song: After crossing the Red Sea, he sings “The Song of the Sea” (which includes the Mi Chamocha we know from services); now, about to close this 40-plus year career, Moses sings again.

The poetry of parashat Haazinu is some of the most exalted in the entire body of Hebrew literature. The parameters of this poem are grandiose, as Moses calls upon the Earth and the Heavens to be his witness. Within the timeless expanse of sacred Eternity, Moses bids the Israelites to find themselves and their role in history.

Moses reminds the Israelites of the many times God had redeemed them—starting from the moment God had designated them to be His people from among all other nations. Despite their small size, God stood by them countless times, protecting them from their enemies with the ferocity of eagles shielding their young. The steadfast strength of Israel is not in its numbers or weapons, but rather in their faith in God.

There is bitterness is Moses’s voice. It isn’t merely that he won’t behold with his own eyes the glorious climax of all his work, the entry of the Israelites into the Promised Land. Some of his bitterness stems from the fact that this bitter punishment was brought about by the stubborn ways of the people. But more than that, Moses can see into the future and can foresee that the people will continue rebelling against God. Their needs satisfied, the lessons he has worked so hard to teach them will be forgotten. The Israelites will turn to other gods, losing their vision and purpose on Earth. They will lose their way and find themselves dispersed throughout the world. Whereas before, God had let Israel “draw honey from the rock and oil from the flinty rock” (Deut. 32:13), now the very earth will give way beneath their feet, and the wine they drink will turn poisonous.

Yet—as God turns and points to the very Heavens God had created—His wrath against Israel is not eternal. God takes an oath saying that as soon as Israel repents and turns back to Him, God will vindicate them and punish their tormentors for all the pain they had inflicted upon God’s Chosen.

Parashat Haazinu is always read on the Shabbat between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, as this is the very message the Holy Days convey to us. All Creation has a sacred purpose. Israel plays an important role in the plan that God had devised.

Betraying this role can only lead to disaster; but t’shuva—literally “returning,” but connoting also spiritual repentance and a return to God’s ways—will result in restored order to the universe and, on a somewhat smaller scale, in Israel’s restoration as well.

The choice is ours. Let us choose wisely.


© 2011 by Boaz D. Heilman