This week’s Torah portion is Va’etchanan, which means “I entreated” or “I pleaded” and is found in Deuteronomy 3:23. Moses continues recounting the story of the Israelites as they journey through the wilderness on their way from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. Moses revisits how he has pleaded with G-d to allow him to enter the Promised Land and G-d has continually refused, only allowing Moses to ascend Mt. Pisgah where he will get to view the land.
Moses recalls G-d giving the Israelites the Torah as G-d spoke to them out of the midst of fire. The Ten commandments are recited along with the Shema, the Ve’ahavta, wrapping tefillin when we pray, and affixing mezuzot on the doorposts of our homes. Moses also prophesies that future generations will turn away from G‑d, worship idols, leading to the Israelites exile from their land only to be scattered amongst the nations. In the end, they will return to G‑d, obey His Torah, and live in Israel.
This Shabbat is also called Shabbat Nachamu, meaning the “Sabbath of Comforting,” which occurs on the Shabbat immediately following Tisha B’Av. The name, Shabbat Nachamu, gets its name and meaning from the first line of the Haftarah portion for this Shabbat (Isaiah 40:1), which says, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God”. The reading speaks of God comforting the Jewish people for their suffering and is the first of seven haftarot of consolation that lead up to Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
There are two explanations in the Torah regarding Moses not being allowed to enter the Promised Land. What can we learn from this?
After 40 years, The Israelites are only an 11 day journey from Mt. Sinai. Why is that? Why haven’t they traveled further?
What does Moses not entering the Promised Land (or the whole generation that died in the wilderness) have to do with Shabbat Nachamu?
Come join us for Shabbat service and let’s get into it!
Rabbi Scott is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
