Parsha Talk Vaethanan 2024 5784

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Va-etchanan [Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11] contains, among other passages, the second version of the 10 Commandments, as remembered by Moshe 40 years after they were given at Sinai [Exodus 20], and the first paragraph of the Shema, the great credal statement of Judaism, together with a pssage from next week [Deuteronomy 11:13-21, the 2nd paragraph], and a passage from Numbers [15:37-41, the 3rd paragraph]. In addition, there are a number of verses which have entered the Jewish liturgy, two in the Torah service, one in the special service of Simchat Torah, and one in the Aleinu, which for hundreds of years has been the concluding prayer of the 3 daily prayer services, and a passage which makes it into the 4 Questions of the Haggadah at the Passover Seder. Our conversation took up the pathos of Moshe, who is told in no uncertain terms he is to stop asking God to let him into the Promised Land. What is Moshe thinking about as he fashions and delivers this address? What is he trying to get across to the Jewish people, who, unlike him, will soon enter the land. Along the way, we discuss memory and reenactment, and the difference between an imaginaitve approach and an historical approach to religion, and in particular, Judaism. We continue to be mindful of the hostage and their families, and the men and women who defend Israel as soldiers in the Israel Defense Force. May the hostages be speedily returned to their loved ones; may the soldiers defending Israel be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.