Parshas Ha'azinu 5766

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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This week’s portion is actually written as a poem in the Torah. It is written in two lengthy columns, rather than the usual paragraphs.

Moshe called upon Heaven and Earth to serve as eternal witnesses of the rewards that await those who will observe the Torah and the punishments for those who will not.

Moshe reminded the nation of G-d’s faithfulness and justice, how He had nurtured and protected the nation since its birth. Yet he also reminded them of their own disobedience and corruption. He encouraged them to carefully study their history, and learn from the lessons it could offer them. History tends to repeat itself. Those who fail to learn from the lessons of the past are often forced to repeat those lessons.

The people were also encouraged to seek and heed the advice of the elders. Aside from their scholarship, the elders also have the advantage of experience and hindsight. This, too, is the reason the Torah places such an emphasis on giving the proper respect to the elderly.

The poem also describes the cycle of Jewish history, both past and present. It tells of how the nation will conquer and then inhabit the Land, enjoying its great bounty. However, this indulgence can, and will, lead them astray from following G-d and His commandments, thereby incurring G-d’s wrath. G-d will bring punishments upon the Jewish nation, and they will fall into the hands of the other nations. The other nations, however, will sin even worse. Eventually G-d will bring the Great Redemption, and the glory of the Jewish people will be restored.

Ramban sees in this poem a complete foretelling of Jewish history throughout time, ending in the future redemption. It is the guarantee of Jewish survival, despite their many sins and punishments. The Ramban is reported to have said that every individual’s personal destiny is also alluded to in the poem.

Moshe reminded the people of how G-d had discovered the Jewish people in the wilderness, and encircled them to protect them. The Midrash sees this as a reference to the Clouds of Glory that surrounded the people as they traveled through the desert, protecting them from the elements and dangers.

You should take on the first day a beautiful fruit… (Lev. 23:40)

Rav Mordechai of Neshchiz was extremely poor; but he would put aside a little money each week to be able to buy a beautiful esrog for Succos. Once, on the way to make his purchase, he met a man crying bitterly. The man explained that he was a driver and his horse had died. He couldn’t afford to buy a horse and he didn’t know how he would support his family.

Rav Mordechai immediately gave the man all the money he had saved. Then he turned to the heavens and said, “There are different ways of beautifying a mitzvah. Whereas other people will recite a blessing on a beautiful esrog, my esrog will be beautified by a horse!”

Did You Know...

One must review the Torah portion twice each week, and the Targum Onkelos (the Aramaic commentary) once. Some say that Rashi’s commentary may be learned instead of Targum. Preferably it should be completed before the Shabbos day meal, or at least before Shabbos Mincha. If one was unable to complete the portion before then, it may be completed anytime before Simchas Torah. One should not begin reviewing the portion before it is first read the previous Shabbos at Mincha.

There are different customs regarding the manner of the review. Some complete the portion once, then a second time, and then review the Targum. Others review each passage twice with the Targum, while others review each paragraph twice followed by the Targum.