Summary of The Weekly Torah Reading:
Parshas Haazinu
Note: The Shabbos Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section
is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person
"goes up" to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading.
1st Aliya: Moshe begins by describing the presence of Hashem in nature as
being as evident as the rain or dew that nourish the fields and gardens. G-d
is entirely just, always good, always compassionate and forgiving. Therefore,
all destruction and negativity must be ascribed directly to the ill fated
decisions and actions of His children.
2nd Aliya:
The Jew must always remember that he was chosen from among all
other nations to be nurtured by the direct ministrations of the Creator. We
were born in a "desolate, howling, wasteland" and protected till we were able
to assume responsibility for our unique relationship with the Creator of
heaven and earth.
3rd Aliya:
Unfortunately, humankind's tendency is to forget the degree of
their dependency upon Hashem and to create the illusion of self sufficiency
and independence. "Yeshurun thus became fat and rebelled..."
4th Aliya:
We will then be punished with exile and persecution. Chased from
our land and sold into slavery, the Chosen People will experience what it
means to be independent of Hashem's direct protection and benevolence.
5th Aliya:
However, the other nations will fail in the very same manner that
we did. They will assume that their ability to enslave the Chosen People and
ravage Israel is proof of G-d's impotence and their own prowess and strength.
Therefore, they will be punished and destroyed and the Chosen People will
again recognize Hashem's primacy and control.
6th Aliya:
Moshe's song ends with the Jewish people singing forth their
acceptance and understanding of divine purpose and justice.
7th Aliya:
Moshe presents the entire "song" to the nation and reemphasizes
that the condition for keeping the Land is adherence to Torah and serving
Hashem.
Parsha Summary by Rabbi Aron Tendler
