Parshat Ha'Azinu
12 Tishrei 5762
September 29, 2001
Daf Yomi: Baba Kama 64


Guest Rabbi:
Rabbi Zvi Lerer
Young Israel of Mapelton Park, NY

Today's Torah reading of HaAzinu is the last Shabbat Sidra read in our yearly cycle. The next Torah reading of V'zoth HaBracha may be the final Sidra, but it is unique because, unlike all previous Sidrot, it is not read on a Shabbat; it will be read on Simchat Torah and, at that time, the first chapter of the Sidra of Berashit will be read as well. This is done to teach us that Torah is eternal. No sooner do we conclude the Torah, we begin it anew; for there is no end to Torah study and observance.

This year, the reading of HaAzinu is read between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. This occurs when Rosh HaShana falls on a Monday or Tuesday. When Rosh Hashana falls on a Thursday or on Shabbat, HaAzinu is read on Shabbat Shuva. It is noteworthy that the Jewish calendar is constructed in such a manner that Rosh HaShana can never fall on a Sunday, Wednesday or Friday.

Almost the entire Sidra of HaAzinu consists of the song that Moshe Rabbeinu sang to B'nai Yisrael on the 7th day of Adar in the year 2488�the last day of his life. In verse one of this prophetic poem, Moshe summoned Heaven and Earth to bear witness that he warned the people to keep the Torah. He chose these witnesses because they would be around until the end of time. Also, the people would be blessed or punished by the witnesses themselves, depending on their observance of the covenant. Finally, the B'nai Yisrael should take a lesson from these witnesses. Just as these natural bodies are constant in fulfilling the will of their Master, so too, the B'nai Yisrael should be loyal in their devotion to fulfilling HaShem's Torah.

In verse two, Moshe Rabbeinu praised the Torah and compared it to life-giving rain and the morning dew. In verse three, Moshe requested that whenever he mentions HaShem's name, the people should praise HaShem by saying "Amen." Then, in verse four, Moshe instructs the B'nai Yisrael to always be mindful of a basic tenant of our Jewish faith: "The Rock! Perfect is His work, for all His paths are Justice."

In trying to understand the events and destiny of our lives as individuals and as a Jewish nation, there will be time when we will be baffled by the age-old problem: the suffering of the righteous and seemingly good fortune of the wicked. Throughout these difficult times, we must realize that our human intelligence is limited. Humankind simply cannot comprehend the totality of our world. Only the Omniscient HaShem who is perfect and grasps the total picture can truly act in a just manner.

In fact, Moshe Rabeinu draws from his personal example in teaching this valuable lesson. He chose the metaphor, "Rock," for HaShem to emphasize His abundant strength of character and to demonstrate that he accepted the Divine decree of not entering Eretz Yisrael for hitting the rock instead of speaking to it. Although Moshe prayed 515 times to have the Divine decree removed (the word "vetchanan" in gematria is equal to 515), HaShem refused to alter His judgement.

Verse 4 also serves as the opening of the prayer Tzakok Hadin - "The Acceptance of HaShem's Judgement" which is recited at the most tragic time in our life. It is the prayer recited over the fresh grave when the judgement of HaShem is accepted unquestioningly with perfect faith.

In numerous verses that follow, Moshe Rabeinu describes to Bnai Yisrael the many troubles that will befall them as a people in the future. In the end, however, the oppressors of the Jewish people will perish and we will thrive. Then, HaShem will redeem us with the complete redemption as stated in verse 39:

See Now! Behold it is I! I am He�
And no god is with Me
I put to death and I give life
I struck down and I will heal
And no one can be rescued from My hand.

In regard to this passage, the Chatam Sofer explains that at the beginning of Jewish history, when HaShem redeemed the Bnai Yisrael from bondage. He said: "I will be as I will be." (Shemot 3:14). Rashi explains: "I will be with them in their hour of need and I will be with them at other times of their need." Here in verse 39 the reference is to the future redemption where HaShem is telling us, "See now! Behold it isI! I am He..." Then I spoke in the future tense but now the time has come and I am speaking in the present tense, "Behold it is I! I am He..." Now is the time of the complete redemption!

In conclusion, just as the prophetic poem of Ha'azinu has been fulfilled up to now without exception, let us hope and pray that we see the remainder of Moshe Rabeinu's prophecy speedily in our times. May HaShem bring us the Geulah Shleima Bimhere B'Yomeinu Amen.