Parshat V’ethchanan, Deuteronomy 3: 23 - 7:11 by Rabbi Denise L. Eger

What message of hope and inspiration does someone who is in the depths of suffering, trauma and despair need? In our day and age of terror this is a question that has special resonance. When a subway ride in London or a bus ride in Tel Aviv turns into a passage of death; when a plane ride ends in horrific flames bringing down the two of the world’s tallest buildings, this is a question that could use an answer.

What words might bring us comfort in our mourning? What message will reinforce ours sense of order and create anew a foundation for rebuilding the lives of survivors?

For our ancestors and for us we turn to this week’s Torah portion, V’ethchanan. This second portion in the book of Deuteronomy is always read on the Sabbath following Tisha B’av, the ninth of Av. This fast day commemorates the destruction of our ancient temples. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the first temple in 586 BCE and the Romans destroyed the second temple on the same date in the year 70 CE. This national day of mourning for the Jewish people has other dark days associated with in including the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. We mourn not only the way of life the temple symbolized but the thousands of people who were murdered as Jerusalem was attacked and burned each time. As the book of Lamentations recalls about the first destruction “Alas, Lonely sits the city. Once great with people! She that was great among nations is become like a widow… Bitterly she weeps in the night, her cheek wet with tears there is none to comfort her of all her friends. All her allies have betrayed her; they have become her foes.”(Lam. 1:1-2)

On the Sabbath following the calendar works in such a way that the message of hope contained in this week’s portion helps provide us with inspiration and comfort as we deal with the catastrophe of destruction embedded in Tisha B’av or in our lives today. We are reminded that even as there are moments of destruction that seem like punishments, God will still fulfill the faithful covenant. “And now O Israel give heed to the laws and rules which I am instructing you to observe so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that Adonai the God of your ancestors is giving you.” (Deut. 4:1)

Just when we feel that God is far from us or even absent from us the Torah comes to remind us, “ For what great nation is there that has a god so close at hand as is Adonai our God whenever we call upon Him?” (Deut 4:7). We are reminded that we as a people must also reach out to God—by observing the mitzvoth, upholding our end of the covenant and through prayer. In these days of uncertainties this verse reminds us that God can be near to us and close to us.

Thus this portion also restates the Ten Commandments, lest we have forgotten the basics in our traumatized states. So even as we face the horrors and terrors of the world, whether the ancient destruction of the temples, or contemporary difficulties we are taught to go back to the basics, the pillars that build our way of life and yes, our faith.

Also in the portion we find the Shema. It is the most profound statement of faith that we Jews have. When we have lost our way or when our fears are overwhelming the Shema is yet another touchstone and foundation to help us rebuild our weakened beliefs. The Jew is to recite the Shema three times a day. It acts as our mantra, if you will, reminding us of God’s oneness and in a way our oneness with God!

And the portion concludes with a reminder that “…you are a people consecrated to Adonai your God… a treasured people.” (Deut. 7:6) If we ever doubted our connection to the Holy One then this portion helps to reaffirm it.

Indeed it brings us words of comfort.

So in these days of terror when the news from Iraq seems grim; when the situation between Israel and Palestine seems fraught with pain and hatred; when it doesn’t even feel safe to take a simple bus or subway ride; when God feels far away—let us be reminded that God is near to us—we must do what we can to remind ourselves of God’s presence through our words and our actions.

Posted by Lee at August 15, 2005 10:59 AM