Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words
Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27
Shabbat: Deuteronomy 3:15–22
3:15 I gave Gilead to Machir. 16 To the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave from Gilead even to the valley of the Arnon, the middle of the valley, and its border, even to the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon; 17 the Arabah also, and the Jordan and its border, from Chinnereth even to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah eastward.
18 I commanded you at that time, saying, “Hashem your Elohim has given you this land to possess it. All of you men of valor shall pass over armed before your brothers, the children of Israel. 19 But your wives, and your little ones, and your livestock, (I know that you have much livestock), shall live in your cities which I have given you, 20 until Hashem gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also possess the land which Hashem your Elohim gives them beyond the Jordan. Then you shall each return to his own possession, which I have given you.”
21 I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, “Your eyes have seen all that Hashem your Elohim has done to these two kings. So shall Hashem do to all the kingdoms where you go over. 22 You shall not fear them; for Hashem your Elohim Himself fights for you.”
Today’s Meditation:
Hashem is working things out for the tribes who want to stay east of the Jordan, verse 20: “Then you shall each return to his own possession, which I have given you.” It is so wonderful to know that Hashem is the One who gives us anything in our lives. Where we live, where we work, our relationships, and our lives. We just need to be in a relationship with Him so that we realize this. He creates and owns everything, and we must take good care of the things that He places in our lives. We have been selling our house and moving. I have stayed in close contact with Hashem every step of the way. And I must admit I have seen several moves of His hands on all of this. But, bottom line, He owns our house, He owns my family, and He owns my life. And I am glad. I am His. And that is a privilege and a comfort.
Today’s Challenge:
Hashem fights our battles. We read in verse 22, “You shall not fear them; for Hashem your Elohim Himself fights for you.” Hashem has been putting something on my heart about creating a non-profit agency. I think about all the miracles He would do through this project, and then I start wondering how the enemy might oppose it. Then I realize that this will be Hashem’s plan and He will protect it. He will defeat the enemy if the enemy plans any attempts to cause trouble. That is so reassuring. My challenge to you is today to trust in Hashem. If you are going through a battle, seek His face and ask for help. Ask Him to defeat the enemy and protect you. We are assured through the Torah that He will do this.
This Week’s Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27
1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2 Hear, heavens,
and listen, earth; for Hashem has spoken:
“I have nourished and brought up children
and they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows his owner,
and the donkey his master’s crib;
but Israel doesn’t know.
My people don’t consider.”
4 Ah, sinful nation,
a people loaded with iniquity,
Offspring of evildoers,
children who deal corruptly!
They have forsaken Hashem.
They have despised the Holy One of Israel.
They are estranged and backward.
5 Why should you be beaten more?
that you revolt more and more?
The whole head is sick,
and the whole heart faints.
6 From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it:
wounds, welts, and open sores.
They haven’t been closed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.
7 Your country is desolate.
Your cities are burned with fire.
Strangers devour your land in your presence
and it is desolate,
as overthrown by strangers.
8 The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard,
like a hut in a field of melons,
like a besieged city.
9 Unless Hashem of Armies had left to us a very small remnant,
we would have been as Sodom.
We would have been like Gomorrah.
10 Hear Hashem’s word, you rulers of Sodom!
Listen to the law of our Elohim, you people of Gomorrah!
11 “What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?”, says Hashem.
“I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams
and the fat of fed animals.
I don’t delight in the blood of bulls,
or of lambs,
or of male goats.
12 When you come to appear before me,
who has required this at your hand, to trample My courts?
13 Bring no more vain offerings.
Incense is an abomination to me.
New moons, Sabbaths, and convocations:
I can’t stand evil assemblies.
14 My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts.
They are a burden to Me.
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you.
Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood.
16 Wash yourselves. Make yourself clean.
Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil.
17 Learn to do well.
Seek justice.
Relieve the oppressed.
Defend the fatherless.
Plead for the widow.”
18 “Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Hashem:
“Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good of the land;
20 but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword;
for the Hashem’s mouth has spoken it.”
21 How the faithful city has become a prostitute!
She was full of justice.
Righteousness lodged in her,
but now there are murderers.
22 Your silver has become dross,
your wine mixed with water.
23 Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves.
Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards.
They don’t defend the fatherless,
neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
24 Therefore, Adonai, Hashem of Armies,
the Mighty One of Israel says:
“Ah, I will get relief from My adversaries,
and avenge Myself on My enemies.
25 I will turn My hand on you,
thoroughly purge away your dross,
and will take away all your tin.
26 I will restore your judges as at the first,
and your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward, you shall be called ‘The city of righteousness,
a faithful town.’
27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice,
and her converts with righteousness.
Today’s Haftarah Meditation:
The commands and promises are simple. We read in verses 18-20, “Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Hashem: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for the Hashem’s mouth has spoken it.” If you obey, you will be blessed; if you do not, you will be devoured. Plain and simple. What is it about this that we don’t get? Why do we continue to sin and turn our faces away from Hashem? There is no excuse. Yes, we are exiled, but we need to get over that. We must follow and obey Torah and Hashem.
Today’s Haftarah Challenge:
Here is the answer to disobedience in verses 16-17, “Wash yourselves. Make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil. Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless. Plead for the widow.” Easy. Stop sinning and do good (help others). That’s your challenge today. Try to make your own life and the lives of those around you better.
