Parsha Talk Devarim 5785 2025

Parashat D’varim [Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22] is the opening parashah of the Book of Deuteronomy. Having reached the eastern border of the Promised Land, Moses addresses the people for the last time in a series of discourses, culminating in his death alone atop the mountain, to be buried by God in a place unknown to any human. We spent over half our conversation discussing Moses as prophet and leader at this particular time in his life, and what he had to say to his people as his life comes to its conclusion while the people ready themselves to begin their lives anew in Israel. In the remaining time we discussed the haftarah [Isaiah 1:1-27]. This Shabbat, the one preceding [and this year immediately preceding] Tisha B’av, observed Saturday night and Sunday, August 2-3, 2025, is called Shabbat Chazon, the Shabbat of Vision, after the first word in the Book of Isaiah. It is the third of the three haftarot of admonition, which will be followed by the 7 haftarot of consolation. We continue to keep in our hearts and minds the hostages, dead and alive, who remain in Gaza, may they be speedily returned to their families. And we hope and pray that the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces be removed from harm’s way. Finally, echoing the words of the Haggadah of Passover, may all who are hungry come and eat. Shabbat Shalom.