The story of the Israelites as found in the Torah is bracketed by song. As the Jews stand victorious over the Egyptians at the sea, they sing. And, poised to enter Israel, ready to cross yet another body of water, again they sing. Indeed, the very name Israel may be interpreted as a composite of shir-El, the song of God.
The final song is punctuated by poetic messages expounding deep thoughts worthy of deciphering and understanding. What follows are a few of these beautiful gems:
• “My doctrine shall drop as rain [matar], my speech shall distill as dew [tal]” (Deuteronomy 32:2). Rain can be harsh, whereas dew is soft, dropping gently to the ground. Perhaps these two nouns mesh in the recognition that the gateway to the soul is speech, which is strong but humble.
• “The Rock, His work, is perfect [tamim]” (Deuteronomy 32:4). Based on this phrase, a Midrash argues that one may not protest God, as He is perfect (Sifrei, Deuteronomy 307). Another Midrash posits that a sign of love is the ability to dissent. Hence, the law that one is liable for lighting a fire that causes damage elsewhere is also interpreted to refer to our raising a voice of moral conscience against God for allowing the Temple to be set aflame (Exodus 22:5; Pesikta Rabbati 30. The contrast between these Midrashim was brought to my attention by my son, Dr. Dov Weiss.)
• “He [God] found him [Israel] in a desert land…[and] cared for him” (Deuteronomy 32:10). God’s care for Israel is summarized, beginning with protecting the Israelites in the desert. Why not begin the list with God lovingly taking Israel out of Egypt? But Ha’azinu was sung for the second generation, who had not been in Egypt. For them, the Exodus story would not resonate as
powerfully, as they were not there. Thus, suggests Nehama Leibowitz, this passage teaches us the importance of assessing one’s audience, shaping one’s message in ways that can be best received.
• “But Jeshurun [the Israelites] waxed fat and kicked” (Deuteronomy 32:15). In many ways, it is easy to be ethical when weak, when powerless. But when one is “waxing fat,” one is in a position to take advantage of others. This is true for anyone in power, including a soldier, clergyperson, a political leader, or a CEO. When “waxing fat,” one too often “kicks” the have-nots and forgets God, without Whom there would be no success.
The Ha’azinu song concludes with the hope that its message not only be true for ourselves but for our people. Indeed, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook takes it to the next level:
There is one who sings the song of his own life.… There is another who sings the song of his people.… There is another who reaches toward more distant realms, and he goes beyond the boundary of Israel to sing the song of humankind… [the song of] all existence (The Lights of Holiness).
This is shir-El, the ultimate song of God.
Candle lightings:
Rosh Hashanah:
October 2nd at 6:48 p.m.
October 3rd after 7:39 p.m. from a pre-existing flame
Ha’azinu parsha:
October 4th at 6:46 p.m. from a pre-existing flame
