Shabbat Shalom, Shanah Tovah

Haazinu

Deuteronomy 32:1 -52

Précis: The parasha begins with the “Song of Moses,” a hymn of joy sung by Moses within sight of the Promised Land. The song contrasts God’s fidelity to the faithlessness of the People, and the need of the People to learn from their history under God’s care. Moses predicts that Israel’s enemies will be overcome. Moses is told to climb a mountain to see the Promised Land he will not to enter, as he prepares for his death. This is the last parasha read on Shabbat in the annual cycle: the final parasha (V’zot Habracha) is read traditionally on Simchat Torah.

Deut. 32:7 “Remember the days of old, consider the years of ages past.”

This Shabbat, we read parasha Haazinu. Coming as it does between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the special Shabbat is called “Shabbat Shuvah” (the Sabbath of “returning”), its name coming from the opening words of the Haftarah, “Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God ... Say to Him: 'Forgive all guilt and accept what is good ...’” (Hosea 14:3-4).

When we talk about a “return” we must, of course, focus on remembering. On Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur, we remember those actions we have taken or failed to take. On Yom Kippur, we also recite the Yizkor service, the liturgy focusing on our departed.

Our tradition is filled with commands to remember. When we are commanded to act as God would act, we can’t fail to notice the plethora of occasions in the narrative when “God remembered...” We are commanded to remember Amalek, to remember the creation, to remember the Exodus, to remember Sinai.

But at the same time, there is no doubt that forgetting is also a part of our heritage.

The builders of Babel forget; Laban forgot about the work of Jacob; a pharaoh forgot about Joseph. Repeatedly, the Israelites forget God’s blessings on their behalf. In this very parasha, Moses reminds the People that they all too often forgot about God and His blessings (See, e.g., Deuteronomy 32:18).

In the 21st century, even as we recite the prayers of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, is it possible that we have once again “forgotten” God? Based on our current public discussion, to argue that we have “forgotten God” seems absurd. The word “God” appears more than ever in public debate and discourse. Vast stretches of humanity are decried because of how they perceive God and His commandments. Political candidates are assessed (by many) based upon their belief in God and how they might pray to Him. Some politicians feel confident that they seek election based upon a “call” from God.

On the other hand, is it really absurd to suggest that in the midst of all of this “God talk” that we have forgotten the essence of what we are praying about? During the days of prayer ahead, perhaps it is a good time not only to consider our own actions, but to focus on our own beliefs. What is the purpose of prayer, and to whom are we really praying? Are we forgetting or are we remembering?