Weekly Reading Insights: Ha'azinu  

Overview of the Weekly Reading

Torah: Deut. 32:1-52
Haftorah: Hosea 14:2-10, Michah 7:18-20

 

FROM THE CHASSIDIC REBBES MOSHIACH THIS WEEK

"Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; O earth, the words of my mouth." (32:1)
How did Moses, the most humble man to ever walk the face of the earth, dare to demand the attention of the heavens? Because the more insignificant a person considers himself, the more right he has to ask that the heavens pay him mind.
(Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk)

Our Sages stated: "The words of every individual who has fear of heaven will be obeyed." Moses, who possessed tremendous fear of heaven, first called upon the celestial spheres to listen to him. The lower, human realm would then follow and obey automatically.
(Rabbi Avraham Yaakov of Sadigora)

"My teaching shall drop like rain, like the dew shall flow down my saying." (32:2)

Words of Torah are compared to rain: just as when rain begins its effect on vegetal matter is not immediately recognizable, nevertheless it is having an effect and in the end its effect is clearly recognizable; so too words of Torah will eventually effect the one that hears them, even if it doesn't seem so at first.
(Rebbe Simcha Bunim) (translated from Sichat HaShavuah #457)

Just as rain and dew can drench a person "to the bone," so should the holy words of Torah saturate a Jew's entire physical being and not just his mind.
(Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk)

"He set the bounds of the nations according to the number of the Children of Israel." (32:8)

G-d established the borders of all the countries of the world so that the Jewish people, by living in those lands and observing Torah and mitzvot, could elevate the sparks of holiness they contain.
(Lubavitcher Rebbe) (from L'Chaim #586)

"Jacob is the lot of His inheritance." (Deut. 32:9)

The Hebrew word for "lot"- "chevel"- also means "rope." Jacob was the third of the Patriarchs. Like a rope that is strong because it is made of three threads, Jacob had three merits: the merit of his father's father, his own father and himself. Through these combined strengths Jacob and his sons were able to become G-d's inheritance.
(Rashi)(from L'Chaim #837)

"Of the Rock that bore you were you unmindful, and you forgot the G-d Who bore you." (32:10)

When G-d created man He gave him the gift of being "unmindful"--the ability to forget and allow time to heal the wounds which would befall him in this world. But, G-d claims, what did you do with this gift? You misused it, and forgot about Me!
(Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk) (from L'Chaim #181)


"When G-d saw this, He was offended, angered by His sons and daughters" (Deut. 32:19)

The anger of G-d is aroused because of 'the anger of His sons and daughters' - the animosity that exists among the Jews; the disagreements and discord. At a time when the Jews are angry one at the other, G-d feels anger towards them.
(from Rabbi Moshe Pollack) [translated from Sichat HaShavuah #93]

"He said, I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end shall be." (32:20)

G-d assures us: Even though I will hide My face and subject the Jewish people to the laws of nature, it will only be a temporary situation. For even in their exile I am mindful of their "end," and will always protect their eternity.
(Shem MiShmuel) (from L'Chaim #586)

"When G-d saw this, He was offended, angered by His sons and daughters" (Deut. 32:19)

The anger of G-d is aroused because of 'the anger of His sons and daughters' - the animosity that exists among the Jews; the disagreements and discord. At a time when the Jews are angry one at the other, G-d feels anger towards them.
(from Rabbi Moshe Pollack) [translated from Sichat HaShavuah #93]



 

 


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"From the Chasidic Rebbes" and "Moshiach This Week"
insights in every Weekly Torah Reading

Bereishit ("Genesis")

Shmot ("Exodus")

Vayikra ("Leviticus")

Bamidbar ("Numbers")

Devarim ("Deuteronomy")

Bereishit Shmot
Vayikra Bamidbar Devarim
Noach
Va'era
Tzav Naso Vaetchanan
Lech Lecha Bo
Shemini Beha'alotcha Ekev
Vayera
Beshallach
Tazria Shelach Re'eh
Chayei Sara Yitro
Metsorah
Korach Shoftim
Toledot Mishpatim Acharei Mot Chukat Ki Titze
VaYetzei Trumah Kedoshim Balak
Ki Tavo
VaYishlach Tetsaveh Emor Pinchas Netzavim
VaYeshev Ki Tisa
Behar Mattot Vayelech
Miketz Vayakhel Bechukotai Massai
Ha'azinu
VaYigash Pekudei
    Vezot
VaYechi        

 

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