Edith Caplan

This Shabbat is Shabbat Shuvah – The Shabbat that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, in the midst of our High Holy Days. These are the ten days in which we are on a higher spiritual plane – having begun our reflections of our deeds in the past year and leading to a plea for atonement for the times we hurt others, hurt ourselves, and fell short of the level of behavior we set out to attain at this time one year ago. However, we are encouraged through prayer and the sayings of our sages not to despair –we can improve ourselves and come closer to those ideals we strive to reach.

This week’s parasha (Va-et’chanan) begins with Moses’ recounting of how he pleaded with God to be allowed to enter the promised land.  God does not grant Moses permission, and Moses realizes he will only be allowed to see the land from afar.  He will not be present as the Israelites take possession of the land, overcome the obstacles they find in their path, and settle and prosper. Rather than despairing, Moses sets about preparing his people and their leaders for the days and years to come.  He reminds the people of their recent history – all the great things God has done for them -- and exhorts them to continue to obey God’s laws.  He points out that even their children and grandchildren are responsible   for carrying on this practice.