Weekly Sidra: Ki Tavo (When you come)
Torah Portion: Devarim / Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8
Haftorah: Yeshayahu / Isaiah 60:1-60:22

The month of Elul is a time for reflection.  As the last month of the year we look back on our lives.  We seek to repent of any actions we have done and continue to draw near to HaShem by reading His word and performing mitzvot.

In this week’s Haftarah portion we are reminded of this wonderful truth:

And nations shall walk by your light,
Kings, by your shining radiance. (Isaiah 60:3)

One of the reasons that Jews were given the Torah on Har Sinai was because HaShem wanted us to be or lagoyim אור לגויים, (a light to the nations).  We were given the gift of His word and mitzvot, not to keep them to ourselves, but to share them with others.

Our Rabbi Yeshua echoes this in Levi 5:14-16:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

You may be going through a difficult time in your life.  You may not feel like much of a “light” right now.  Do not worry because the light of HaShem will guide you.

“Behold! Darkness shall cover the earth,
And thick clouds the peoples;
But upon you HaShem will shine,
And His Presence be seen over you.” (Isaiah 60:2)

Finally, even though nations may come against us, HaShem gives us this promise:

“For the nation or the kingdom
That does not serve you shall perish;
Such nations shall be destroyed.” (Isaiah 60:12)

Even though Jews face anti-Semitism and Israel is constantly being demonized and delegitimized HaShem will prevail.  So take heart and remember:

Arise, shine, for your light has dawned;
The Presence of HaShem has shone upon you! (Isaiah 60:1)