Friday, August 1, 2025/8 Av, 5785

Friday, August 1, 2025/8 Av, 5785

Parashat Devarim  Deuteronomy 1:1−3:22

Dear TBE Community,

This Shabbat is called Shabbat Hazon, or Shabbat Vision, from the first word of this week’s haftara: The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz that he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Isaiah 1:1-27 is always read on the Shabbat before Tisha b’ Av, the day that commemorates destruction in the Land of Israel. Isaiah warns the people that if they don’t follow God’s commandments, they will lose the land. This warning connects the haftara to this week’s parsha, Devarim: The words of Moses, appealing to the Israelites to keep God’s commandments, ultimately a leitmotif for the entire book of Deuteronomy. Because only if they adhere to God’s teaching will they prosper and stay in the land forever. Therefore, the eventual loss of sovereignty is traditionally ascribed to the people precisely doing the opposite:

Your rulers are rogues
and cronies of thieves,
All of them lust for bribes
and chase illicit payments.
They do not defend the orphan,
and the widow’s case does not touch them.

Isaiah here calls out the moral and ethical decay that had gripped “Zion” – Jerusalem and, by extension, all of Judah. He calls out his fellow Jews who fell from God’s ways and thus brought disaster upon their own nation.

The faithful city
that was filled with justice,
where righteousness dwelled—
Ever since October 7, I have worried about Israel’s ability to survive the mayhem that ensued. And while so far Israel has prevailed militarily, and her citizens are resilient and determined, I can’t help but keep worrying about Israel’s internal stability. What are the long-term consequences of enduring and witnessing continuous devastating suffering?

Every head is sick,
and every heart in pain.
From footsole to head
No place in him intact,
wound, bruise,
and open sore –
not drained, not bandaged,
nor soothed with oil.

Today, the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls, and they have a universal echo. Today, I cannot read Isaiah and not think of both Israel’s and Gaza’s “orphans and widows.” 

Territorial disputes have been at the root for every war Israel has been involved in. I believe in the inherent and unalienable right of the Jewish people to dwell in this particular stretch of Levantine land. But that doesn’t mean that innocent people must starve. One of the worst natural disasters the Bible knows is a famine. Famines are the catalysator for migrations, often perceived as divine punishment for sinful behavior. The difference is that now, the famine is a human-made catastrophe.

Learn to do good.
seek justice;
Make the oppressed happy,
defend the orphan;
argue the widow’s case.

Devarim, the book of Deuteronomy, is a repetition of Moses’ teaching. Whether we call ourselves secular or religious Jews, these words are directed at us, as are the words of the prophet Isaiah:

Zion shall be redeemed through justice,
and those who turn back in her, through righteousness. 

These are the last verses of the haftara that echoes themes of Tisha b’ Av and urges to meditate on God’s message – on our inner moral compass – day and night.

“Zion shall be redeemed through justice” – Zion B’mishpat Tipadeh. I am highlighting the letters because this verse gave name to the first Jewish fraternity, ZBT. Like in many cases, the verse can be interpreted and translated according to one’s vision. One reading might suggest that redemption will rightfully come upon Zion. Another reading might be that by doing what is just and right, Zion will redeem itself.

Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Julia Knobloch
rabbiknobloch@bethelsp.org

More Torah Tidbits

Hadas Cootware

Torah School Coordinator

Hadas Cootware has been teaching Hebrew and Jewish Studies for over a decade, joining our Temple Beth El Community in 2018. Born and raised in Israel with Hebrew as her native language, she previously served as a combat soldier and operations officer in the IDF. Drawing on her studies in acting and psychology, she published a children’s book in Hebrew, The Marshmallow Story, which focuses on delayed gratification. Outside of teaching, she is the proud mother of her son, Henry, and loves to travel.

TBEtorahschool@bethelsp.org

Ilan Davidson

Cantor

Cantor Ilan Davidson has been pleasing audiences with his singing since before he could read. At age five, he began singing with his Cantor, Philip Moddel, and hasn’t shut up since. At ten, he made his Operatic debut with the Fullerton Civic Light Opera’s production of Bizet’s Carmen, as a street urchin. Since then, he has performed roles in opera and musical theatre, performing, directing, and producing world-class productions.

Among his many accomplishments, Cantor Davidson is also known as a contemporary Jewish songwriter and performer, having delighted audiences all over the world, including Israel and Lithuania with the soulful sounds of his music. His recordings, Stained Glass (1995) and In A Hanukkah Mood (2007) are collections of original and covered songs by himself and many contemporary Jewish artists. His most recent recording, God Is In This Place (2020), is a collection of original liturgical pieces for the Friday night Shabbat Service, commissioned and written in honor of his 25th Anniversary as the Cantor of Temple Beth El.

Cantor Davidson left the stage and in 1995 joined the Temple Beth El family, in San Pedro, where, in his nearly 30 years of service, he has brought many new programs and much enthusiasm to all he does. Coming from a long line of Cantors, it must have been Besheret for Cantor Davidson, although talented in all areas of musical performance, to finally settle down into his career as Hazzan for Temple Beth El in San Pedro, California. In 2007, Cantor Davidson founded a new foundation, KindredSPIRITS, producing an annual world humanitarian aid event. KindredSPIRITS premiered on June 5, 2008 at Walt Disney Concert Hall, adding that prestigious concert hall to the ever growing list of venues around the world, where Davidson has performed. During the 10 years of humanitarian events, Global KindredSPIRITS, Inc., as an official 501©3, raised awareness and close to $500,000 for its beneficiaries over the decade.
As a past president of the South Coast Interfaith Council, Ilan fought for tolerance and understanding of ALL faiths in a difficult climate. For the past 7 years, Cantor Davidson has been service as an LA County Commissioner, representing the 4th District on the Human Relations Commission, where he currently serves as President. Whether it is raising his voice for justice, Hazzanut, Pop, Opera, Musical Theatre, or folk music, Cantor Ilan Davidson shares his soul and genuine love in every note.

When asked about his finest accomplishment, Cantor Ilan invariably responds, “After all the great concerts, services, and roles, my finest role in life is that of husband to my beautiful wife, Jodi, and daddy to my gorgeous daughters, Jordan and Zoe.”

cantor@bethelsp.org

Office: (310) 833-2467 Ext. 106

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