Parashat Vaetjanán en Inglés 5786.

Vaetjanán shows us Moshé pleading 515 times to enter Eretz Israel, because Vaetjanán has the same numerical value as Tefilá. Although he already knew HaShem’s decree, his plea teaches us the power of prayer that arises beyond merit, connecting directly with infinite mercy. When he is not permitted to enter, HaShem takes him to the summit of Mount Pisgá so that he may contemplate the Land from above. There, Moshé transcends the physical and reaches a vision of Jojmá, a wisdom so elevated that the body cannot sustain it, but the soul can receive it. The heart of the parashá is the Shemá Israel. There, Absolute Oneness is proclaimed: Adonay Elohenu, Adonay Ejad. This pasuk unites the transcendent with the immanent, that which is beyond the worlds with that which is manifested in nature, and reveals that, at its deepest level, everything is one single reality. The large letters, the Ayin of Shemá and the Dalet of Ejad, form the word “Ed” (witness). The Jewish soul has the task of being a witness to HaShem hidden behind the veil of the world. When a person, like a tzadik, completely nullifies his ego, his will becomes one with the Will of HaShem. From that place of self-nullification, the Light can shine without distortion. Therefore, expressions such as “The Father and I are one” speak of that union in which there is no longer separation between the vessel and the Source.