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Va’etchanan “And I
pleaded”
24 July 2010
Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
Isaiah 40:1-26
Mark 12:28-34
This Shabbat is named, “Shabbat Nachamu,” the Sabbath of Comfort. Isaiah
40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, says your L-rd.
The Torah portion includes the repetition of the Ten Commandments and
various statutes, the recitation of the Shema (Hear O Israel), the
commandments of Tefillin (Phylacteries) and the placement of the Mezuzah
on the doorways of our homes.
Deuteronomy 6:8 states, “You shall bind them as sign on your hand and
they shall be as frontals on your forehead.” The T'fillin are a
fulfillment of the commandment to bind G-d's word as a sign upon your
hand, set them as a symbol between your eyes. They contain four passages
from the Torah which teach: the unity and uniqueness of G-d, recalling
the miracle of the Exodus from Egypt, declaring G-d's dominion over all
that is in the heavens and on earth, and affirming our duty to serve G-d
with all our being.
One is placed on the arm pointing towards the heart, that we may recall
G-d's outstretched arm and be reminded to direct our impulses and
desires to His service. We place the other box on the head to remind us
of our duty to devote all the power of our mind to the service of G-d.
Finally we wrap the strap around our middle finger and our hand to form
the Hebrew letter shin, representing El Shaddai, the Most High G-d. As
we wrap we say this prayer, just as the sages of old:
I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you with righteousness,
justice, with love, and with compassion. I will betroth you to me with
faithfulness, and I shall love the L-rd, thus says the L-rd. (Taken from
Hosea 2:19-20).
This remarkable symbol of G-d's marriage covenant between us and Him
tells us that G-d has chosen us as His own special people. Now here is
the good part, He did not choose us because we are great or numerous,
pretty, handsome. No, we were chosen because G-d loved us and has kept
His oath to the fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
Because He did choose us, we now have a great obligation to Love Him, as
the Shema in this Torah portion tells us to do. We are also told that
there are consequences for disobedience (Deut.4:3; 30:19-20; Prov.7:2).
This past Tuesday, TishaB’Av was observed as a reminder of the
consequences of disobedience (Deut.4:3;30:19-20; Prov.7:2). Yet we know
that G-d is merciful, keeping His promises to the fathers to bring His
people back not only to the Land, but also to Him, thru repentance,
prayer, and obedience. We have learned that to whom much is given, much
is required! The Shema tells us that we must hear, learn, and do the
commandments that He has given. When we read G-d’s word, we should not
only read the word but also listen and do, ( James 1:22-25).
Fear G-d, pay attention to His commandments (council), and thank Him for
getting us ready for the coming of HaShem.
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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