It's in our own hands

Ekev

Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25
Précis: Moses continues his recapitulation of the commandments to the people, reminding them to be obedient to God’s laws in their forthcoming struggle with the Canaanites. Moses describes in detail all of the blessings which God had already provided them, and reminds them to bless and thank God for the bounty they receive. On the other hand, they should learn the lesson of rebelliousness of their fathers, including the incident of the Golden Calf. Moses reminds the people that he brought down a second set of tablets, which require their continued obedience to God.

Deuteronomy 10:1–2 “Thereupon the Eternal One said to me ‘Carve out two tablets of stone like the first, and come up to Me on the mountain; and make an ark of wood. I will inscribe on the tablets the commandments that were on the first tablets that you smashed, and you shall deposit them in the ark.’”

Jonathan E. Blake, writing in Reform Voices of Torah (8/18/08), cites Nachmanides to explain the importance of the second set of tablets. The first set was the work of God, and ‘the writing was God’s writing’ (Exodus 32:16). The second set was inscribed on tablets made by Moses, a mere mortal. Nachmanides concludes that while God inscribed the first set of tablets, Moses, a mere mortal, carved the second set.

Moses’ action has an important implication for us. While it is our obligation to learn and study what has transpired before (what we call “tradition”), we still need to create our own “copy” with our own “mortal hands.” While some may suggest that we human beings have no right or power to “tinker” with what has been handed down from Sinai (whether by hand of Moses or as part of an oral tradition), I suggest that the Judaism of today (regardless of how observed) is substantively different that the Judaism practiced 1,000, 1,500, or 2,000 years ago. Change has happened, and continues to happen.

Whether these changes in practice are human invention or Divine guidance ("continuing Revelation”) I leave others to discuss.

Words

D’varim
Deuteronomy 1:1 - 3:22

Précis: The Book of Deuteronomy (D’varim - "words") takes the form of a series of lectures by Moses to the People as they prepare to enter the Land. Together, these instructions constitute Moses’ farewell address. D’varim is sometimes called the “Mishneh Torah”, literally, the “second teaching of the Torah” (this is where we get the Greek name of the Book) because it contains repetitions of previously enunciated matters. The Book has a strong focus on the centrality of the Temple in the Promised Land, as well as many of other rituals found at the center of Jewish life: recitation of the Sh’ma, birkat ha’mazon, Shabbat observance, wearing tallit and t’fillin, reciting kiddush on Shabbat, and placing mezuzot on doorposts.
     The Book is what modern analysts call a “foundation account.” It is a story that sets out the archetype that future generations are expected to understand. Our account focuses on inner struggles: the dangers of lacking faith, of not trusting in God and of being willing to quit the struggle.
     The first parasha recounts the four decades of travel through the wilderness, the story of the spies, the appointment of judges, victories in the wilderness against enemies, and how the conquered land is to be divided. This parasha is read every year on Shabbat Chazon, the Shabbat prior to the fast of Tisha B’Av. Since looking at history is a major theme of the parasha, it is certainly an appropriate reading prior to this holiday.

Deuteronomy 1:34–37 “The Eternal heard your loud complaint and, becoming angry, vowed: ‘Not one of this ....evil generation, shall see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers...’ Because of you the Eternal was incensed with me too, saying: ‘You shall not enter it either.’”
     Moses bitterly accuses the Israelites of denying him his dream of entry into the Promised Land. Just imagine his frustration and disappointment. How human Moses is! (And how unique is the Bible to reveal the weaknesses of its heroic figures.)
     When things don’t turn out the way we had hoped and dreamed, we have a tendency to blame others, and from time to time we all lash out at them. Like Moses, we may feel the bitterness that comes with unfulfilled dreams.
     Moses’ greatness is found in the fact that he places the importance of others above his own desires. He understood the concept that “expectations are planned disappointments.” He seeks the welfare of the community when he advocates for a new leader for the People who must “go out before them and come in before them.” This is the mature and wise counsel of Moses: find a leader who is unafraid to look forward to the future, despite its inevitable setbacks and disappointments. Look for a leader who is also secure enough to recall, without ego, the lessons of the past.