Parshios Haazinu & Shabbos Shuva
Mankind's Song
The final song of Moshe begins in this week's parsha of Haazinu. The song
concludes with Vzot Habracha, the parsha that we read in the synagogue on
Simchat Torah. Haazinu is the song of Jewish history throughout the ages.
It has high notes and low notes to it. It portrays the agony of our exile
and the steadfastness of both God and Israel in keeping the covenant
between them under all circumstances. What makes the song so meaningful is
that the rabbis of the Midrash interpreted it in a double sense - as
referring to Israel but at the same time also referring to the nations of
the world, even to our oppressors. A lesson of importance is thus
communicated to us. Israel does not live in a vacuum. The reaction of the
nations of the world to us can influence our future and our path in
history. And the corollary to this is that the nations of the world are
judged in the scale of God's history of mankind. Their relationship to the
Jewish people, its faith and values and life-style, is really a measure of
their own qualities and goals. So many nations and empires have passed
from the scene over our long history and they all were measured and judged
by their relationship to Israel and its faith. Thus the song of Haazinu is
a universal song, not meant only for Jewish ears and hearts but it is
rather a song to be heard and appreciated by all humans.
This is in line with the dual quality of our prayer service on Rosh
Hashana and Yom Kippur. On one hand the prayers are purely Jewish in
nature and goals, exclusive to the choseness of the people of Israel. Yet,
on the other hand, there is a strong message of universalism that pervades
all of the High Holy Days' prayers. Judaism combines within it an
exclusivity and a universalism at one and the same time. It is unique
among all faiths to do so. Judaism sees the Jewish people as the
experiment that will prove the entire theory of mankind and civilization
to be possible and correct. In order for the experiment to work correctly
it requires a certain exclusivity, a sterile laboratory if you will,
uncontaminated by outside sources and influences. Yet the purpose of this
experiment is to prove that all mankind is able to serve God and man and
that human civilization can achieve a better world in spite of all
setbacks and heartaches. Haazinu, which beckons to us all to listen to a
song that often has discordant notes within it, nevertheless can and will
lead to Vzot Habracha, blessings and hope and true achievements. The Torah
assured us that this song of Haazinu/Vzot Habracha would never be
forgotten by the Jewish people. It defines our nationhood and casts our
eternity. It is timely and relevant under all circumstances and in all
generations. Remembering the song is alone an act of teshuva - return to
God and to our true inner soul and self.
Shana tova.
Rabbi Berel Wein
Text Copyright © 2004 by Rabbi Berel Wein and Torah.org
Visit www.rabbiwein.com for a complete selection of Rabbi Wein's books and tapes.
