The word Ha’azinu (הַאֲזִינוּ) literally means “give ear,” an expression meaning “Listen to this.” It is also the name of the fifty-third and second-to-last reading from the Torah. It is the first word of the Song of Moses, which begins with the words “Give ear (Ha’azinu), O heavens, and let me speak” (Deuteronomy 32:1). This Torah portion is only a single chapter long, and the majority of it consists of the Song of Moses. The Song of Moses is a prophetic oracle warning Israel about apostasy to come and the resulting wrath of God. The song looks far into the future, even envisioning the Messianic advent amid rich and frightening apocalyptic imagery. After the conclusion of the song, Moses is told to ascend Mount Nebo and overlook the Promised Land before dying.
While Rosh Hashanah last week marks the beginning of the new year, in fact there are 3 weeks of transition. Yom Kippur on the 16th seems to be the ‘climax’ of these three weeks…..
As we approach Rosh Hashanah (beginning evening of September 6) we have Nitzavim and Vayelech.
Nitzavim
The name of the fifty-first reading from the Torah is Nitzavim, which means “standing.” The name is derived from the first verse of the portion in which Moses says, “You stand (nitzavim) today, all of you, before the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 29:10). In this portion, Moses invites the entire assembly of Israel to take on the covenant. He warns them that if they sin, they will go into exile, but he also predicts that, in the future, they will repent and God will return them to the land of Israel. In some years, Nitzavim is read together with the subsequent Torah portion, Vayelech, on the same Sabbath.
Vayelech
The name of the fifty-second reading from the Torah is Vayelech, which means “and he went.” The name is derived from the first word of the first verse of the portion: “So Moses went (vayelech) and spoke these words to all Israel.” In this short portion, Moses commands an assembly for a public Torah reading and covenant renewal once every seven years. He then finishes writing the scroll of the Torah and has it deposited in the Holy of Holies next to the ark of the covenant.
Deuteronomy 26 begins the fiftieth reading from the Torah with the words, “Then it shall be, when you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance” (26:1). In Hebrew, the words for “when you enter” are ki tavo. This Torah portion begins with laws regarding first fruits and tithes. It goes on to discuss covenant renewal, after which Moses recites the blessings guaranteed to Israel for covenant obedience and warns of the curses for apostasy.
A few weeks ago we explored the concept of “Great Doubt.” Genpo Roshi says that the “direct path” to ‘enlightenment’ is to doubt everything. As we know, as way seekers and now, truth seekers is that everything arises with it’s polar opposite…….This week’s portion presents 98 curses.
““Certainty” is a term you will hear used over and over again in the Kabbalah Centre. To have certainty is to know that everything we experience is for the greater good, for our ultimate benefit. The gifts we are given in life, we are given to enjoy and share with others. The challenges are to teach us, to make us stronger, and to bring us closer to the Light. Was “good” not there, in both these mountains? With certainty, we can reach a very beautiful conclusion that the greatest blessing of all is the ability to see everything as a blessing.
“The greatest blessing of all is the ability to see everything as a blessing.”
We are only two weeks away from Rosh Hashanah, and it is no coincidence that there is a palpable energy in the universe right now that can help us to see God’s hand in everything. What a beautiful gift we are given in these days. Let’s take advantage of this time by looking at the situations in our life that seem dark – they could be challenges we are currently facing, or situations from our past (our childhood, perhaps) – and see the inspiration of a divine force, a bigger plan. Let’s ask: Where is the Light in this? What am I meant to do? Did I learn from it? Did I, or can I still, grow stronger from it? If it is pain another has inflicted upon us, maybe the question is: How can I draw boundaries to not allow this to happen again? Or, am I doing this to someone else in another way? “(KAREN BERG).
This portion starts with a battle and ends with a battle. There are a lot of “don’t do this and don’t do that.” It is a system of how to interact with both your enemies and your friends.
The section is found in Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19.
The commandment for the king to write a copy of the Torah demonstrates the work of Messiah. He Himself is the Word made flesh. He is the copy of the Torah in human form. Furthermore, He writes a copy of the Torah as He writes the Torah upon our hearts. The Torah of King Messiah is written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3). Section is found in Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:0.