Ha'Azinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!
Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52
Reading #1 - Deuteronomy 32:1–6
My Thoughts:
The first part of this song shows Moses praising Hashem. In verse 3, we read, “For I will proclaim Hashem’s name. Ascribe greatness to our Elohim!” As he prepares to die and gives this prophetic song to the people, he must give all glory to Hashem. That is also the case for us. At the beginning of each day, at every special event, we must give praise and honor to Hashem. We must tell others about His greatness. He is the reason for everything. Remember to do that, and so will I.
Today's Challenge:
Verse 32:4 is explaining the perfection of Elohim, “The Rock: His work is perfect, for all His ways are just. An Elohim of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is He.” If He is perfect and does no wrong (as we know to be true), then why do we have so many different denominations, churches, synagogues, and sects of Judaism, etc.? In other words, if we simply read what Hashem says in the Torah and believe it, we could all gather in groups and worship Him in a manner that is essentially the same. We could keep it so simple. However, for some reason, Hashem created us to be uniquely different, and along with this comes a variety of opinions and styles. My challenge to you today is to think about being neutral about your faith with others. Instead of arguing doctrine or the Bible, look at what you have in common. Seek to find what you share, not what you don’t agree upon. Seek to serve the perfect Elohim perfectly, without disagreement, but with love and worship. We all love the same Elohim. Let's stop fighting about it and let’s join in harmony with our love for Him.
Reading #1 - Deuteronomy 32:1-6
32 Give ear, you heavens, and I will speak.
Let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
2 My doctrine will drop as the rain.
My speech will condense as the dew,
as the misty rain on the tender grass,
as the showers on the herb.
3 For I will proclaim Hashem’s name.
Ascribe greatness to our Elohim!
4 The Rock: His work is perfect,
for all His ways are just.
An Elohim of faithfulness who does no wrong,
just and right is He.
5 They have dealt corruptly with Him.
They are not His children, because of their defect.
They are a perverse and crooked generation.
6 Is this the way you repay Hashem,
foolish and unwise people?
Isn’t He your father who has bought you?
He has made you and established you.
