HEBREW TEXTS  .  HEBREW LANGUAGE  .  JUDAISM

BS"D || Rabbi Geier

Devarim 5784

Today we begin the last of the books of the Torah, Devarim or Deuteronomy, in which, as we have studied repeatedly, Moses begins his final and extensive speech to the people of Israel. It is a moment of reflection and preparation for the future, linking past experiences with the hopes and challenges to come, reminding us which values constitute our "toolbox" to face them.

 

We also call this Shabbat, Shabbat Chazon, the Shabbat of Vision, which precedes the 9th of Av. It takes its name from the Haftarah, the portion we read from the book of the Prophets, from Isaiah, which introduces us to a prophetic vision of destruction and exile. Isaiah reprimands the people for their estrangement from God and moral corruption, warning them about the consequences of their actions. Shabbat Chazon invites us, above all, to reflect on the vision and destiny of the Jewish people in times of adversity. This theme is especially relevant today, given the potential threat of a massive attack by some Arab countries against our state of Israel.

 

The prophet's message resonates deeply as we culminate the three weeks of anguish, Bein HaMetzarim, which started on the 17th of the month of Tammuz and end on Tisha B'Av, the day that commemorates the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem, a day on which, according to our people's memories, significant misfortunes occurred.

 

In his speech, Moses not only recalls the mistakes of the past but also offers a vision of hope and redemption. He gives hope to us and to the people of Israel listening to his speech, that the Promised Land can become everything that the Holy One, blessed be He, promised them if they commit to following His laws. He reminds us of the importance of justice, compassion, and collective responsibility.

 

He begins his speech by recalling the events that led the people of Israel to that crucial moment. He talks about the journey through the desert, the battles, and the decisions made. He presents the facts in such a way that it emotionally resonates like a storyteller with his audience, primarily composed of the new generations born in the desert.

 

Thus, throughout his final speech, he transforms the events of the past 40 years into a shared and identity-forming memory. In his last days, he does not despair over his personal situation, nor does he show anger towards the Lord or himself for not being able to enter the land for which he strove most of his life. On the contrary, he provides the people with the necessary hope to move forward and continue with his legacy and the destiny that God bestowed upon them.

 

Isaiah, for his part, challenges us to see beyond immediate desolation and calls us to jointly find a vision for the future, in a context that includes unity of memory and destiny. In Isaiah 1:17, we are urged to "Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow." This call to action is a powerful reminder of our duty to the most vulnerable and the need to build a more just and equitable society.

In both, memory prevails as a means to become better people. This memory has sustained us up to this day and beyond. Wherever we were, we treasured and passed down our "Devarim," which in Hebrew means both "words" and "things."

 

The "words" of Moses are not just a recounting of events, but interpretation and teaching. When recalling, Moses not only informs; he also inspires and guides the people towards the future with the aspiration, perhaps, that the echoes of his voice will indeed be infinite.

 

In facing our own uncertainties, which today are distressing and leave us with many questions for which we have no answers, we try to seek inspiration in the teachings of our ancestors and in the values of justice and compassion that they promoted, to convince ourselves that this too shall pass. But it is not always possible; it is hard to see a bright future of peace, at least for me.

 

On this Shabbat Chazon, I unite my heart with all good-hearted people in a prayer for the safe return of all the hostages, and I raise my voice for the possibility of peace and understanding, even if it seems like a utopian goal.

 

These are days when we need leaders more than ever who possess the ability to see and hear the cry of their people, and not waste time and political quality on almost street-level fights broadcasted on TV. Leaders whose decisions are guided by compassion, justice, and the real needs of those they serve.

 

In the midst of uncertainty, with entire populations from the south and north of Israel displaced and without a certain horizon, with missiles and attacks occurring daily and a constant warning of a war from multiple fronts that could break out at any moment, the people of Israel, wherever we are, need more than ever leadership and vision, beacons of hope and righteousness capable of guiding their communities towards a future of peace and prosperity.

 

May the Kadosh BaruchHu, in His immense mercy, guide them and us to a better world, a world of peace and mutual coexistence.