Ha’azinu
Deut. 32:1-52
PrĂ©cis: The parsha, the shortest in the Five Books, containing only 52 verses, begins with the “Song of Moses,” a hymn sung by Moses within sight of the Promised Land. The song contrasts God’s fidelity with 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. He is told to climb a mountain to see the Promised Land he will not enter, as he prepares for his death. This is the last parsha read on Shabbat in the annual cycle: the final parsha (V’zot Habracha) is read traditionally on Simchat Torah.
Deut. 32:49-50. “Ascend these heights of Abiram to Mount Nebo… and view the land of Canaan…. You shall die on that mountain.”
Moses’ place in Jewish history is unique. Born to slaves, he was raised in ultimate privilege. He gave up that privilege to free a people from slavery. His most important title was “Rabbenu" (“our Rabbi).” Never a king, he is defined by his humanity. He feels despair, he displays anger, he loses faith, and is denied his life-long goal of entry into the Land of Israel. We do not worship him, but hold him up as a role model who is flawed, human, but endowed with moral quality.
On the evening before his assassination, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. recalled Moses’ own struggle. He said, God “allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the promised land.”
Moses and King shared a vision and a hope: that despite the struggles confronting us, we can and will reach “the Promised Land” of a better future for all.
I’ve decided that my “mantra” for the coming year will be “hope.” It is my “hope” that you can all share the belief that the future can, must, and will be better for us, for Israel, and for all of those created in God’s image.
