Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11
Parshat Va'etchanan
Moses recounts how he pleaded to enter the land and was refused. He urges the people to keep the Torah, repeats the Ten Commandments and teaches the Shema, “Hear O Israel, the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One,” with the mitzvot of loving G-d, Torah study, tefillin and mezuzah. Va'etchanan is read on Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of consolation after Tisha B'Av.
Essays
E-Lights Vo’eschanan – The Wisdom of Moses Why should Moses' wisdom preclude him from entering the Land? A puzzling Midrash, and Joseph's essence that Moses carried through the wilderness. Parsha Vo'eschanan – Double Consolation The haftarah for this week is taken from Isaiah, who declares: “Nachamu, nachamu Ami-Comfort, comfort My people, says your G-d.”… Parsha Voeschanan – A City of Two Tales Much of life is spent on running away from pain and negativity. That is a formidable challenge. An even greater challenge is when we confront adversity precisely when we are ready to embrace unadulterated positivity. Today, on the cusp of the Messianic Age, we were entrusted with this greater challe Parsha Voeschanan – A Singular Find Singularity is a virtue in terms of a goal; but the way to reach our goals is best served by authentic diversity. Parsha Voeschanan – A Jewish Workout Barriers and obstacles were made to be transcended. Parsha Voeschanan – A Mitzvah to Appeal When G-d says no, it is not always no. When G-d says no to one person it is not necessarily no to others. G-d wants us to protest His will that we languish in exile and bring us Moshiach! Parsha Voeschanan – Body and Soul Some ideologies glorify the soul. Some cultures worship the body. Judaism believes in their synergetic nature. Parsha Voeschanan – Darkness and Light Judaism loves paradoxes because they highlight our ability to unite opposites. Expect to find light precisely where it is most dark! Parsha Voeschanan – Enough Is Enough Goodness and holiness always manifests itself in two modes. Goodness dispels the darkness of evil and suffering. Goodness also enables us to climb the mountains of Divine consciousness Parsha Voeschanan – Good, Good and Good Goodness can also be overwhelming. For us to access and fully appreciate goodness we must acquire the power of synthesis Parsha Voeschanan – Hold on to Both “Heads” of the Rope We have been conditioned to see the good even in adversity. Judaism wants us to use that recognition as a means to finally eliminate all adversity. Parsha Voeschanan – Judaism and Arithmetic: No Adding or Subtracting Egos are strange. Our ego can diminish us by ostensibly getting us to do more. Parsha Voeschanan – Kiss the Mezuzah and Wear Your Tefillin Proud To be respected one must do things that are intrinsically worthy of other’s admiration. Objective worth must also be complemented by subjective integrity and love. These two elements are reflected in the Mitzvah of Mezuzah and Tefillin. Parsha Voeschanan – Kosher Chutzpah Chutzpah is a negative trait when I is for selfish reasons. Chutzpah is kosher and even holy when it is for others. Parsha Voeschanan – No More Jealousy A human being is both a social creature and a lover of privacy. Our challenge is to know how to balance these two opposite traits of creating wall of separation and doors to get through the barrier Parsha Voeschanan – Moses’ Prayer Answered There are two leadership models we should emulate. The first is focused on the people of his time. The other is focused on the future as well. Parsha Voeschanan – Post Tisha B’av Therapy The worst part of alienation is that we become alienated from the realization that we are alienated. Parsha Voeschanan – Psalm 83 I'd like to share a snippet of a recent news item sent to me by a reader of our weekly essays that has particular relevance to… Parsha Voeschanan – The Echo-Less Sound of Torah Torah is unique because it is G-d’s only direct communication with every Jew. Nature, although G-d’s creation, can only pick up an echo of His original voice. Parsha Voeschanan – Shema Meditation Judaism’s most important affirmation sounds deceptively simple. There is one G-d. The Shema is just as much an affirmation of the uniqueness of the Jewish people. In truth, the two affirmations are intertwined. Parsha Voeschanan – The First Commandment The first commandment is G-d’s declaration to all individuals: “I am your very life. And I will ultimately make that reality manifestly clear to the entire world: Parsha Voeschanan – Thirteen from One Judaism is obsessed with G-d’s unity. Yet there are 13 Principles of Faith. In truth, all of these 13 emerge from one principle. Parsha Voeschanan – Three Prayers in One Prayer for a benefit is laudable. Prayer for self-expression is both soothing and exhilarating Prayer to converse with G-d is the most ideal form of prayer and breaks through all barriers!