HaAzinu (give ear)
Deut. 32:1-52

Last week, we studied, as it were, a summation, of the commands of God that Moses preached to the children of Israel : "choose God and live".  Now, in this week's Torah portion Moses brings  a summation of the nature of God to the Israelites. The Torah portion for this week is Deuteronomy chapter 32.

It is traditionally called the song of Moses. Perhaps the reason that it is called a "song" is due to the fact that it is written as poetry and not narrative.  The poem or song, stresses the major aspects of the  nature of God.  Moses begins by declaring that God is righteous and just. This was very important for the Israelites to know and remember. Throughout Jewish history, events have occurred that have caused many people to question the justice of God.  I am sure that many of us here today may at times questions the justice of God in light of historical and personal  events.

Moses continues by describing  God's love for Israel and also God's disappointment in the sins of  Israel .  The Israelites needed to remember their position in the plan of God so that when chastisement came, they might remember that God is just and rather than questioning Him, they would repent.  This is an important message for us to remember on Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

It is during this time of year that we must take a spiritual inventory of our lives.  Do we really remember and believe that God is just and righteous?  If we do, we will  confess our sins to God  and receive the forgiveness that he offers - as Moses describes in our Torah portion for today.  Hopefully, by remembering  that God is just and righteous; loving and forgiving, we will view God as our Heavenly father who really loves us. This should motivate us to serve God with love.   In this song we see a picture of a loving God would is fair, just and forgiving.

During this High Holy Day season, may we experience these wonderful attributes of God in our lives.

Shabbat Shalom.