Parshat Ve’etchanan, Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11

Our portion opens with a continuation of Moses’ anger and hurt at not being able to cross over to the Promised Land. He has just ordained Joshua ben Nun as his successor in front of the people. But Moses is bitter. He blames the people for his not being able to cross over with them. “God was wrathful with me on your account and would not listen to me” (Deut 3:26). Instead of seeing that the future required perhaps a different set of skills to bring the people into the next phase of their journey. Moses is 120 years old at this time according to our Sages. He is tired and his faith though strong in God –his faith in the people has been tried. The leader must have hope in the people that they lead. And Moses feels betrayed now by the people. It is definitely time for his farewell speech.

And this is what we begin with parshat Ve’etchanan. Moses begins the first of his addresses to the people. He stresses in this portion loyalty to covenant of God and particularly stresses to them that idolatry will pollute the Promised Land and their own souls and cause havoc. Moses reminds them of recent events when the Moabite women enticed Israelite men to worship pagan fertility gods and goddess and the consequences that befell the Children of Israel. Moses reminds the Children of Israel that the system of laws and rules and faith that has guided them through the desert will continue to keep them in the Holy Land. Moses says:

Observe them faithfully for that will be proof of your wisdom and discernment to other peoples who on hearing of all these laws will say, “Surely, that great nation is a wise and discerning people.’ For what great nation is there that has a god so close at hand as is Adonai our God, whenever we call upon Adonia? Or what great nation ahs laws and rules as perfect as all this Teaching that I set before you this day? (Deut 4: 6-8).

The inheritance of Children of Israel is not in things. Not in spoils of wars so recently fought with the Midianites, the Moabites and the Edomites. The riches of the Children of Israel are the covenant with God and the relationship with God. Moses tries to stress this throughout his words in Deuteronomy. The riches of the Children of Israel are in following faithfully the words of the Commandments, which are given again in this portion. Moses recounts the Ten Commandments to this fledgling nation, perhaps remembering that this group before him did not physically stand at Sinai but were the children of those who did. Now they must hear the story of revelation and understand their link in this covenantal chain.

Do we understand our link in this same covenantal chain?

As the Jewish people tradition teaches we too were at Sinai. We maybe had a Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony. Some of us were confirmed. But as adults have we said—this is my covenant. This is my relationship with God and the Jewish people. This is my inheritance? Jews by Choice have a wonderful luxury over Jews by birth. They must consciously accept and acknowledge this covenantal gift and relationship. As a result they are often more zealous and scrupulous in their observances and in building their relationship with the Holy One of Blessing.

There are many occasions in a cradle Jew’s life to affirm this covenant. Certainly the brit/bris ceremony (which means Covenant) is one. The Bar and Bat Mitzvah is two. Confirmation is a third opportunity to accept the covenant. And each year at Shavuot is a re-affirmation of the moment at Mt. Sinai.

But each holy day observance is a chance to re-affirm and opt in. The High Holy Days are only a few short weeks away. This is a season of reflection and preparation not just personally but communally. Perhaps this year in your examinations you might also consider your affirmation of your place among the Jewish people and your acceptance of the covenantal promise made so long ago at Sinai.

Posted by Eric at July 28, 2009 10:22 AM