And this is the blessing with which Moshe, the man of G-d, blessed the children of Israel

                   (Deuteronomy 33:1)

Tishrei 19, 5779/September 28, 2018

"And this is the blessing with which Moshe, the man of G-d, blessed the children of Israel just before his death." (Deuteronmy 33:1)

Thus begins the final Torah reading of the Five Books of Moses, known as V'zot Habrachah, which we will be reading in synagogues throughout the world on Monday morning, which is the holiday of Shmini Atzeret, also known as Simchat Torah. (In diaspora communities Simchat Torah will be celebrated on Tuesday.)

This Shabbat, which falls on the sixth day of the seven day Sukkot festival, we will be reading Torah selections which are relevant to Sukkot. Nevertheless, the Torah reading of V'zot Habrachah is very much a part of the message of Sukkot. V'zot Habrachah records the final act of Moshe, just before he ascends Mount Nevo, where he peers into the promised land that he will never enter into, breathes his last breath, and is buried in the valley below, in an unknown grave.

And you shall rejoice in your Festival!

(Deuteronomy 16:14) Tishrei 14, 5779/September 23, 2018 "Seven days you shall celebrate the Festival to HaShem, your G-d, in the place which HaShem shall choose, because HaShem, your G-d, will bless you in all your produce, and in all the work of your hands, and you will only be happy."(Deuteronomy 16:15) Can G-d really command us to "only be happy?" Yes He can! Can we fulfill this commandment? Being happy isn't a given, and being only happy is an even greater challenge. But we can surely do it!

Watering our Souls

Many believers behave like the foolish gardener. They espouse faith in Messiah and find relationship with God, but they do not nurture that faith and relationship by regularly watering it with the study of the Word.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Ha'azinu (האזינו | Listen)

Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

Gospel: John 6:26-35

Listen, O heavens, and I will speak!

                     (Deuteronomy 32:1)

Tishrei 12, 5779/September 21, 2018

"Listen, O heavens, and I will speak! And let the earth hear the words of my mouth!" (Deuteronomy 32:1)

We all have our favorite song. The song that lifts us up. The song that makes us dance. The song that makes us cry. Couples have their song. The one that was playing when their eyes first met, when their hearts first met. Old friends have favorite songs from back in the day. Families share favorite songs. Nations have national song lists. We all have songs that get inside our heads and just won't go away. What all these songs share is ownership. We make songs our own. They describe us. They are part of us. We hum tunes and quote lyrics as a way of expressing ourselves, as a way of life. Songs touch our souls.