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Ha'azinu

Shabbat Shuvah

Deuteronomy 32:1-52

Hosea 14:2-10

Joel 2:15-27

Micah 7:18-20

Romans 10:14-11:12

This Shabbat is called Shabbat Shuvah, or Sabbath of return. As the name implies it falls before Yom Kippur. Also the name is taken, as most of the Torah portions, from the first word of the readings. This week the first word is taken from the first word in the HAFTORAH instead of the Torah.

The reading starts with Shuvah, or Return, O. Israel, to the Lord your G-d. In the book of Hosea chap. 14; we read that G-d is calling His people to return after they have fallen to sin and iniquity. This takes place during the time of the expulsion of the Ten Northern Tribes. Further, we know that sin is not only breaking G-d's law, but also His heart.

The example is given by G-d at the beginning of Hosea telling him to take Gomer as his wife. As Hosea's heart was broken many times, we read that our G-d feels the same way when we sin.     G-d's people, then and now, are in the position of either falling away, as His people in Hosea's day, or returning back to their first love, as spoken in the book of Revelations. G-d chose first to chasten, and then heal them.

G-d tells His people to forsake sin and rebellion, forsake violence and crime. Thus, G-d declares, "That if my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land," (2 Chron. 7:14).

So, G-d challenges His people to turn from their sin and rebellion, He will heal their backsliding and take them back in love. G-d will cause life to grow according to His mercy. G-d's people, then, will come under His wings (Psalm 91).

As we read the Parasha this week, let us turn back to Him who gives life and joy. Repent, seek and know for sure your position as His children who have come under His wings.

Have an easy fast this Yom Kippur.

Know that you are loved by G-d; for G-d so loved the world......

SHAVUA TOV 

Rabbi Z.

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