Weekly Sidra: Ha’azinu (Give ear)
Torah Portion: Devarim / Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52
Haftorah: Sh’muel Bet / II Samuel 22:1-51

This week in Sidra Ha’azinu we read of Moshe final instructions to Benei Israel.

The word Ha’azinu (האזינו) literally means “give ear,” an expression meaning “Listen to this.” It is also the name of the fifty-third and second-to-last reading from the Torah. It is the first word of the Song of Moses, which begins with the words “Give ear (Ha’azinu), O heavens, and let me speak” (Deuteronomy 32:1). This Torah portion is only a single chapter long, and the majority of it consists of the Song of Moses. The Song of Moses is a prophetic oracle warning Israel about apostasy to come and the resulting wrath of God. The song looks far into the future, even envisioning the Messianic advent amid rich and frightening apocalyptic imagery. After the conclusion of the song, Moses is told to ascend Mount Nebo and overlook the Promised Land before dying.

“And when Moshe finished reciting all these words to all Israel, he said to them: Take to heart all the words with which I have warned you this day. Enjoin them upon your children that they may observe faithfully all the terms of this Teaching. For this is not a trifling thing for you: it is your very life; through it you shall long endure on the land that you are to possess upon crossing the Jordan.” (Devarim 32: 45-47)

In the Haftarah portion we hear David’s words to HaShem after being rescued from his enemies.

“For I have kept the ways of the Lord
And have not been guilty before my God;
I am mindful of all His rules
And have not departed from His laws.
I have been blameless before Him,
And have guarded myself against sinning —
And the Lord has requited my merit,
According to my purity in His sight.” (II Sam. 22:22-25)

These statements are absolutely powerful.  Moshe Rabeinu advises us that Torah is our very life and Melech David states that he has kept the ways of HaShem and not been guilty before Him.  How can this be possible?  The answer is found in Rabeinu Yeshua!!

It is because of the resurrection of Yeshua and the fact that he took our guilt upon him.  We are now able to come to HaShem in the merit of Yeshua and be righteous.

This begs the question how then were Moshe and David able to come to HaShem and be blameless.  The answer is Torah!!

The Torah is the tree of life.  In keeping the ways of HaShem we are able to come before Him in righteousness.  We also need to ask HaShem for forgiveness when we stumble, however Torah is HaShem’s roadmap for life.  It provides us with the framework we need to be close to HaShem.

As Moshe said “For this is not a trifling thing for you: it is your very life; through it you shall long endure on the land that you are to possess upon crossing the Jordan.”