Weekly Reading Insights

Overview of the Weekly Reading

To be read on Devarim, 6 Menachem Av 5770/July 17th, 2010

Torah: Deut. 1:1-3:22
Haftorah: Isaiah 1:1-27 (3rd of the Three Haftorahs of Affliction)
Pirkei Avot: Chapter 3

Devarim is the 1st Reading out of 11 in Deuteronomy and it contains 5972 letters, in 1548 words, in 105 verses

Overview: All of the Book of Devorim takes place in the last forty days of Moshe's life. He begins by reviewing many of the Jews’ desert travels, wars and conquests, the appointing of judges, the spies’ sin and the nation’s subsequent punishment. G-d promises to help Yehoshua conquer in the Land of Israel as He helped Moshe conquer the lands of the Emorites and Bashan (the present day Golan) which were given to the tribes of Reuven, Gad, and part of Menashe.

This week's portion, Devarim, begins the fifth and final book of the Torah. The book of Devarim is different than the previous four books. Of it is said, "G-d's Presence speaking through the voice of Moshe". The book of Devarim is Moshe's review of the events he shared with the Jewish people, and a hint to us that we also must begin to review our behavior of the last year and focus on improving, with the advent of the new year soon to arrive. Therefore, it is especially important that we identify the unique divine messages in these portions to prepare us for the coming challenge.

It may not be so easy to find strong messages in this parsha, maybe because it is always read during these days of spiritual darkness, the three week mourning period concluding with the 9th of Av, connected to a number of sad events, but particularly, the destruction of the holy Temple.

The Sfat Emet connects a famous teaching of the Baal Shem Tov to a verse in this week's portion. Based upon the Rambam's writings, the Baal Shem Tov explained how to behave in a situation where someone is doubtful how to proceed. 'He should eliminate any self interest or personal agendas from the pros and cons of the decision, thereby allowing himself to see it in its correct light and revealing G-d's will.' This is the inner meaning of the verse, (1/13) "The thing that is difficult for you, bring it closer to me"-meaning bring it closer to its true source, the will of the Creator. Then, any lack of clarity will fall away.

Summertime offers us relaxing vacations, family time, catching up special hobbies or exercise, spending more time in Torah study and prayer, etc. Vacation can help us 'recharge our batteries', re-connect with loved ones, raise our spiritual caliber, and help us arrive refreshed back to work in the fall. Figuring out how much time and energy to allot for our varied summer pursuits can be confusing. When we remove our selfish interests from the equation, (are we doing something for self-indulgence or relaxing so we can be a better parent, worker, spouse, community volunteer, etc.), and consider what will have the best resulting impact, then we can be assured of making the holiest choice.

This Friday is the Hilula (anniversary of the passing) of the Ari. The following is a story from Shivchei HaAri, the first (and only authentic) collection of stories about Rabbi Yitzchok Luria (the Ari). There was once a young man who was ill, and no doctor could cure him. Neighbors suggested to the father that a spirit might have taken over his body. This was hard for the father to believe. In general, he said, if there is a bad fever, it is a sign that it is not a spirit. But when recovery continued to elude the young man, the father brought his son to the Ari. The Ari took the young man's pulse and said that was a spirit, "If you don't believe me, I will force it to speak to you". Immediately he decreed upon the spirit, and this is what it said, "My name is Ploni ben Ploni. I have inhabited this person's body for twelve years." "Why this person?" asked the Ari. The spirit answered that in a previous incarnation, the young man had been a distributor of charity. "I asked him for help two or three times, and he refused me until I died from hunger." Because of this, I was granted Heavenly permission to inhabit him since he was the cause of my death. And," the soul continued, "I shall kill him". The Ari was able to drive out the spirit, arguing that since the former distributor's soul was now incarnated in a different body, it was a different person, and therefore he was no longer responsible for his past life's behavior. Even so, the spirit made his departure conditional. The story ends sadly. Nevertheless, there is a clear teaching. Justice will be met, though not always when we expect it. Let's beat the rush. Change our bad habits for the better now.

Shabbat Shalom, Shaul

FROM THE CHASSIDIC REBBES (V:4470/Devarim)

"These are the words which Moses spoke unto all Israel." (1:1)

Deuteronomy begins with Moses chastising the Children of Israel for their behavior. Would it not have been more fitting if only blessings came from Moses, and any necessary rebuke come from the wicked Bilaam? Why then, was this not the case? G-d knew that if Bilaam had rebuked the Jews, they would have responded, "Well, what can you expect from an enemy." And if Moses only blessed the Jews, the nations of the world would have said, "Big deal. He is one of them, so he gives them blessings." Therefore G-d decreed that the reverse take place, that it be Moses who chastises the Jews and Bilaam who blesses them, so that their words would be properly considered.
(Devarim Rabba)

For more than a decade of "From the Chasidic Rebbes" on this Weekly Reading, see our archives

MOSHIACH THIS WEEK (M:4470/Devarim)

"And I will restore your judges as at first and your counselors as in the beginning; afterwards you shall be called City of Righteousness, Faithful City. Zion shall be redeemed through justice and her penitent through righteousness." (Isaiah 1:26-27)

For the previous five years of "Moshiach This Week" on this Weekly Reading, see our archives

A MYSTICAL CHASSIDIC DISCOURSE

Specifically, for precious articles on the Weekly Parsha in the columns:
Holy Zohar, Holy Ari, Mystic Classics, Chasidic Masters, Contemporary Kabbalists, and more,click to

From the teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai; translation & commentary by Moshe Miller

The word "eicha" is the first word of the book of Lamentations, read on the 9th of Av. It also appears in this Torah portion, read traditionally the Shabbat before. A different word with the same spelling appears in the verse spoken after Adam has eaten from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. He knows he has done wrong and has hidden; afterwards, G-d banishes both he and Eve from the Garden of Eden.

This parallels the destruction of the Temples and the exile of the Jews from the Holy Land. Just as the Garden of Eden was left bereft, so will Jerusalem be as a result of failing to heed His word.

For another sample of recommended Kabbalah articles on a variety of subjects,
click to the our weekly Kabbalah magazine

Sunday night-Monday is "Rosh Chodesh" (New Moon Day of the month of) Menachem-Av, which is also the yahrzeit of Aharon, the brother of Moses and the first High Priest.
This Shabbat is called "Shabbat of Vision" (see the "vision" article below), the Shabbat which always precedes Tisha B'Av.
In Tsfat it is also called "Shabbat of the Holy Ari," because Thursday night-Friday, 5 Av (July 15-16) is the yahrzeit of Rabbi YITZCHAK LURIA, the HOLY ARI,
the famous Kabbalist of the golden age of Tzefat [Safed] in the 16th century, whose teachings influenced the Chasidic movement and dominate the study of Kabbalah today (see the first four articles and the last).

Rabbi Yitzchak Luria was undisputedly the greatest practitioner and expounder of Kabbala since Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar. Rabbi Yitzchak Luria founded a new school in Kabbalistic thought, known as “the system of the Ari.”

Weekly Reading Insights: Devarim 5770

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