|
|
||
HOME
|
|
Drash for Shabbat Ha'Azinu/Shuvah By Rabbi Richard Safran - September 14, 2007 The Torah reading for this Shabbat Shuva, Ha'azinu (Deuteronomy 32 & 33), the Sabbath between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is the last section (parasha) of the Torah that is read at services on Shabbat morning. The final two chapters (Deuteronomy 33-34) are read only on Simchat Torah to complete the yearly cycle of Torah readings. The Torah text is an extended poem/song warning the Israelites of their future betrayal of the "Brit" (covenant with God and the disastrous consequences that will then take place. It is one of the most beautiful poems eve written. The poetry is typical biblical poetry with each verse containing at least two lines that are parallel to each other, in content and meaning. In addition, it summarizes the themes of the beginning of the book of Deuteronomy - "the greatness and generosity of God and the stubbornness and unreliability of the Israelites" (Atz Hayim - United Syn - JPS). Hazinu hashamayim va-adaberra Give ear, O heavens, let me speak: Let the earth hear the words I utter! May my discourse come down as rain, Like showers on young growth, My speech distill as dew, Like droplets on the grass… The rabbi of Kotz interpreted the opening words of the Hebrew text, to read in a somewhat different way, so that the opening line could be translated "Listen to heavenliness"… "A person," he taught, "may train his ear to be sensitive to many different sounds, for example, to music, so that he/she is able to distinguish shades and tones that an untrained ear cannot perceive." Similarly he went on to suggest that our ears may also become so accustomed to only worldly matters that we lose the ability to comprehend spiritual messages, thus becoming deaf to its notes and sound, even when its music resounds all about us. In the opening verses of the song/poem, Ha'azinu, Moses instructs the Israelites to prepare themselves to receive his message, for even the wisest teachings are of no value if they fall on unreceptive or deaf ears. We stand before the open door of a New Year. Its songs and words sing out to us with ancient spiritual truths directing us to create a holy place in our lives and in this world. In music and word we ask to be renewed in love and compassion, goodness and life, justice and peace. BUT how prepared are we to "Hazinu" Listen to Heavenliness? Are we so caught up in the world that we have become deaf and unreceptive to the mood and the call of this Yamin Noraim (High Holiday) season? Are we so in sensitized by our "plenty" that we have lost our feelings for the needs of our people, the cries of our neighbors and the catastrophes of the world? Are we so lost in "our own goodness" that we ignore our own pettiness and our ability to do wrong? Are we so mindless that we have forgotten the grand heritage and great teachings of our faith? Are we so stubborn that we ignore the spirit, soul, and heart of what it means to be a Jew? May this Holy Day season bring to you - change, growth, health, blessings and life. And may God's light and peace rain down on you, "like showers on young growth, like droplets on the grass…" G'mar Hatima Tova - May you be inscribed in the good Book of Life for the New Year.
|
