Fear Not

 Vayeilech

Deut. 31:1-31

 

Précis: The Israelites are instructed to annihilate the seven Canaanite nations and take possession of the Promised Land. The death of Moses approaches, and he transfers his mantle of leadership to Joshua. Moses orders regular reading of the Law, and then transfers the written Torah into the hands of the Levites for safekeeping in the Ark of the Covenant.

 

Deut. 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage; be not in fear or in dread of them; for Adonai, your God Himself marches with you; He will not fail you or forsake you.” 

 

The reading this year is for Shabbat Shuvah (the Sabbath of Return), the Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The cited verse suggests that God is a constant companion and protector, in both war and peace.

            This year, it is hard to have faith in this concept. Covid, floods, fires, hurricanes, political division at home and abroad, a humiliating (albeit necessary) departure from Afghanistan, and renewed assaults on human rights (especially against immigrants, minorities – including the Jews – and women’s right to choose). I find it really difficult to begin each day with the newspaper, which includes a litany of woe.

            Shabbat Shuvah reminds us that what “is” is not necessarily what will be. We, as individuals, families, and even nations have the possibility of t’shuvah through careful introspection into both the good as well as the bad, by treating our fellow human beings with the care and love we ourselves want, and by supporting those most in need of our help, be they immigrants, first responders, firefighters, the unemployed, or those victims of the current dangers we have seen.  We may find hope in the concept of gratitude for the blessings we have. We do these things not only because they are good, but because God will not fail or forsake us.

            May we all have a good conclusion to these Days of Awe, and a New Year of health, safety, and true hopefulness.