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Drash for Shabbat Devarim-Hazon By Charlotte Hegwer - July 20, 2007 As this is hopefully being read by someone, Hal and I are on our way to Albuquerque for an Elderhostel on the Crypto Jews of the Southwest. This week's parsha Devarim, begins the fifth book of the Torah, Deuteronomy. The parsha begins with "These are the words Moses addressed to all Israel on the other side of the Jordan." Moses, in his final days, knowing that he will not enter "the Promised Land", begins to retell the story of the Exodus to the progeny of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is a new generation, and Moses wants them to know their previous history of the forty year journey from Egypt to Sinai before entering into the Promised Land. Moses tells the people that he can no longer take care of them himself and tells how they now have judges and chiefs to watch over them, and the strangers in their midst. Moses recounts how spies were sent out to bring back reports of the bounties of the land, and of the conquests that would need to be made. The spies reported back "It is a good land that the Eternal our God is giving to us." But the spies also reported that there are stronger peoples with walled cities, and those people might destroy Israel. Moses continues by recounting the story about how the people were afraid to enter the land, and couldn't agree among themselves. Therefore they wandered for 38 more years until there was this new generation that didn't know of the previous fears and the lack of faith in Moses. Moses then goes on to tell about more recent events: newer journeys into the land, wars, conquering the cities, and the taking of valuables from wars. Finally, Moses lets the new generation know that Joshua will lead them into the Promised Land, and there will be battles for this land. Moses then tells the assembled group that there will be nothing to fear "for it is the Eternal your God who will battle for you." As I began to think about this parsha certain ideas kept coming into my mind: Why does Moses retell the story? Why is it so important to have wise leaders and chiefs or people to watch over us? Why do we need to be aware and yet trusting? What would have happened if Moses had told the people that they didn't need to enter the Promised Land. Would history have been rewritten? Moses is speaking to the assembled new generation and not to one individual. He wants the group to be unified as they enter this new area. The original group out of Egypt was caught up with their experiences in Egypt and couldn't seem to get their act together. They were afraid of what a few "spies" had told them. The new generation needs to move on - into the Promised Land. There were new judges and chiefs to guide them. There were new areas to conquer and commandments to be kept. Like the people entering the Promised Land, you and I often need to get on with our lives. We need to understand that the past (last seven years) is nearly over. Not that we forget what has been going on in Washington, but we must move on with living our lives. Elections for 2008 are nearly here (only 549 more days till Bush is out of office). There will be new chiefs and judges elected. We will need to deal with new issues: wars, education, science, health insurance, and others. God stayed with us in the "wilderness", and will stay with us as we enter a new land full of hope and promise. But we must remember to keep the commandments and laws which have been given to us. We must remember not to forget the past administration, but we must remember that knowledge of the past is necessary to make good choices for the future. Fortunately, we do not have to wait another forty years wandering in the desert. Shabbat Shalom.
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