Voices of WRJ: Parashat Haazinu

by Barbara T. Luss I never had the time or opportunity to study the Torah until I retired from nursing 10 years ago and joined the Torah Study Group at my Temple, Adat Chaverim. The first time we went through the Five Books of Moses almost sent me running from the room several times in horror at the realization of a war-like, angry, and vengeful God. After several years of reading and discussing the Book with my fellow learners, I was able to come to an understanding that interpretations of the text over the centuries vary far and wide. I continued to read and study with the knowledge that each passage, each word should be read in the context of the era that it was written in and that my interpretation is being made in the present with limited experience with biblical writing. In making this peace with the writings, I have been able to take lessons from them that reflect my thoughts and perceptions, hoping to strengthen my spiritual well being while reconciling all the aspects of God in the pages. This week’s Torah portion, Haazinu or The Song of Moses, is actually a poem that challenges us with its vivid images, some beautiful and some terrifying. God warns the Nation of Israel what to expect if they stray from the teachings of Moses and the gift of His Commandments at Sinai. The poem describes the tenderness with which God has nurtured His children and the everlasting love He has shown them. Moses also relays the fury God will unleash against those same beloved children when they once again turn to idolatry for comfort after they enter the Promised Land without Moses to guide them. It is difficult to interpret the message of these lines because of the many frightening punishments promised to Israel; so much so that I needed to look at the verses from afar and glean some understanding and wisdom from the whole portion rather than picking apart its phases and words. This is also one way of looking at our present global reality when the news stories of the day include war, draught, famine, pestilence, injustice, painful disease, and pure hatred, whether it is in far-flung corners of the earth or in our very own communities. For those of us who are overwhelmed by shocking events and the wicked behavior of individuals and organized groups, we may turn to these passages and derive some comfort. Although God would like to punish His people in agonizing ways for disobeying Him, He is stopped by the realization that if He does, Israel’s enemies will see that same punishment by God as a victory for them. We can draw from this lesson that God truly wants all people to do what is right to achieve a world that is free of the pure evil that precipitates hatred, injustice, and war. Then, civilization can be unfettered to counter against natural ills such as draught, famine, and disease. God is no longer “hands on.” God has given hope to humankind to struggle against the evils in our world and to use the Torah's words as direction toward become righteous. In my view, this conclusion can be seen as parallel to God turning His fury from the Israelites to their enemies near the end of the poem to vindicate His people. In the present when God neither directly punishes us nor protects us from our enemies, we need to have the hope He has given us that mankind will see that the folly of fighting and hating each other keeps us from making the world a better place. So much suffering in our world comes from natural and accidental causes. How much better that we all use the earth’s resources to relieve human suffering and forge strong global communities while learning from one another how to live a life of gratitude for the blessings given to us by God. Reading the ancient texts, such as this parashah, teaches me to follow the path God wishes me to take: to lead a fulfilling personal life and become involved in organizations and activities that contribute to humankind’s welfare. My Adat Chaverim Sisterhood provides me with many opportunities to give back to my congregation and local community, and WRJ allows me to make a difference through out the world. By studying the words of the Torah, I gain insight into how I feel about the world in which I live and hopefully, guidance in how to live a truly Reform Jewish life. Barbara T. Luss is a WRJ Board Member, and Adat Chaverim Sisterhood Religious Living Vice President and Past President in Plano, TX.