Parashat D’varim Deuteronomy 1:1−3:22
Dear Friends,
If I was allowed to name this week’s Torah Portion, I would not call it, “D’varim” (Words), I would call it, “Zachor” (Remember). That is what virtually the whole Book of Deuteronomy is about, reminding the Children of Israel who they are, where they came from, what obligations they have as a result, and what their destiny is supposed to be. One might ask, “Doesn’t the rest of Torah already do that?” Yes, but this Book, and this portion, are set at the end of Moses’s life, and he is recounting the history to those who did not live all of it. Moses is talking to those who were born in, and have survived the wilderness wandering experience. All those who were adults, and slaves in Egypt have died off, and it is their offspring who are now poised to fulfill the destiny set for the People of Israel in their own land. Moses will not be with them when they enter the promised land. Without his guidance, memory and history come to be of extreme importance.
When a notable politician made the remark that it was time for the Jews to stop observing Passover because it commemorated events that were 3,000 years old, he just did not understand what history can represent, and does represent for the Jewish People. History does not automatically mean that one should carry anger and resentment at all times about what happened in the distant, or not so distant past. It means that if there are lessons that were learned (some of them hard learned) it behooves us to keep those in mind. I can remember without rancor, forgive, and progress so that I can avoid making the same mistakes, or fall into the same traps, in the future.
In this Torah portion, Moses reminds the people that actions and words have consequences. As a people they have spent 40 years in the wilderness as a result of things their forebears said and did. He wants them to remember that their actions and words will affect those who follow them, their children and their children’s children. It was true for them and it is true for us. Our children will inherit the world that we have, in one way or another, helped to create. Remembering can help us make better decisions, not just for us, but for those who will follow us as well.
May this Shabbat give us the perspective, the strength and the will to work for a better future.
Shabbat of Shalom,
Rabbi Marv
rabbischwab@bethelsp.org