Parsha Veyelech — Let’s be part of the Story
This week it would be easy to say, there’s is not enough time to review the messages of the Parsha and write down some thoughts.
While we were at God’s coronation, and then had a busy catchup day at work, where does find the time? The truth is that we find time for what is important.
After Parsha Nitzavim, where we stood and reflected about God, we need to go forward. In Parsha Veyelech, Moses went out and shared his final thoughts. He passed on the leadership to Joshua and the children of Israel.
So, the challenge is how we can pass on the mission to our children. When I look around, I believe that for ourselves as Parents and for the Jews and the current children of Israel is how to make Judaism, Israel relevant and inspire our children to want to have a connection to Torah and the Land. Torah and Israel are 2 sides of the equation. Torah with its moral teachings, and our Land with its history as the ideal place to learn, grow and the base to share that moral calling.
So, where do we begin? Let’s look at 2 Mitzvahs in this week's Parsha.
First, we have Hakhel, a ceremony where part of the Torah is read to all people — men, women, the children’s and the stranger in our mists. Yes — the message is universal and includes the children — our future leaders.
In the message that Moshe gives, he extols us to fear your God, and take care to perform all the matters of the Torah. He links this to our possession in the Land. Moses foresaw that the people will seek foreign God’s (philosophies/Ideologies) and God’s wrath will be enflamed and he -God will hide his face, involvement.
Indeed, this is the challenge? We live in a world where God is so-called hidden. We live in a world that is broken.
It would appear that God is angry with us. Jews and Israel are subject to Anti-Semitism and we need to ask ourselves Why? It is easy to blame the world, but the Parsha gives us the answer. We have sought foreign God’s, moral paths that are not consistent with the teachings of the Torah.
Indeed, the challenge today is how to use the teachings of the Torah to make our lives more meaningful to our children and the stranger.
The Parsha gives us the remedy. You shall write this song and teach it to your children. This song will be a witness for me and the children of Israel. (Interesting how the Torah is called a song i.e. music)
Again, we are warned about the negative impact of being self-centered, following foreign ideologies, and then the evil and troubles that will befall us if we do not follow the covenant in our Land. This would imply that Israeli needs a higher sense of morality. Looking at the world today, Israel is judged fairly or perhaps unfairly by this required higher moral standard.
Moses commands Joshua the next leader to be strong and courageous. This calling is so relevant today. These teachings of the Torah are even more relevant today than ever before.
In this regard, I want to share some thoughts from Rabbi Alex Israel which he posted on Facebook on Parashat Vayelech and the question of Jewish Literacy
“When my eldest son was approaching his barmitzva, I took him to the Hebrew bookshop, the Sefarim store, to make a Barmitzva List, a wish-list of books guests could buy for him. I still clearly recall my father giving me this experience before my barmitzva.
I asked him what he wanted. He didn’t really know, so I suggested that we buy the basic books that a person who wants to learn Torah should have. We chose a Mikraot Gedolot (Bible with commentaries), several legal texts on Shabbat and Jewish life (Shmirat Shabbat, a Mishna Berura), Rabbi Hirsch and Nechama Leibowitz on Chumash, a set of Mishna, Sefer Hachinuch, and much more. His grandfather was already gifting him a full set of Talmud. My son asked me why I was selecting these specific books, and I answered that these are fundamental books that one should have and study. As the list grew in length, my son was appearing nervous, and he challenged me: “Are you saying that ALL THESE I have to know?” I realised that he was wondering how he was ever going to absorb all of that stuff!
Since that visit to the bookshop, my son has graduated school and progressed to several years of study at a Yeshiva and he loves Torah study. One day he looked at his books, and said: “Wow! Thank you for making sure I had all these!” It was a heart-warming moment.
But what is the basic Jewish bookshelf? and what is basic Jewish literacy? and why is it important?”
This gave me the opportunity to reflect. We are very fortunate when our children are using the books and connected to Judaism. I have 2 sons — one using these books in the hareidi derech and one not all. I have five children, with a 50 / 50 Inspiration rate. Unfortunately, these books are not enough to keep our youth and not so youth-inspired.
We are blessed with many modern teachers who have made the Torah more relevant. The challenge is how to bring these writings and thoughts to inspire a connection to Torah and its deep, meaningful messages.
Currently, I am reading Rabbi Sacks Book “Future Tense,” where he encourages us to find the story of the unique contribution that Judaism has made to the human race, and why that message is needed today. Needed so much not only to inspire the next generation but also to make a positive impact or Tikkun in this broken world.
We need to be part of that story. Our children need to be part of this story and make Torah, Israel, and Tikkun relevant, exciting and meaningful.
For the full Rav Alex Israel Article