Va'etchanan: Listen and Love

In the aftermath of the most bleak day of the Jewish calendar, Tisha B’Av, we look for comfort. That is the theme of the haftara for this week. Starting with that word, comfort, nachamu, and then repeating it, we are told by Isaiah to feel comfort. Is it that easy to feel comforted that all we need to be told to feel that way?

Varied responses can be found in the Torah reading.

For one example, the Torah teaches the power of saying the Shma. A part of the Shma is the command which follows, v’ahavta, and you shall love. How do you love? You love by doing, not by feeling. Sure, love starts with a feeling but without tangible evidence is it truly love? Faith has little to do with this religion. It is all about translating what happens in the heart to the hands. We love God by expressing that love demonstrably.

Furthermore, love acted upon is love felt internally. Emotion translated into motions of the feet and tongue and hands is felt at least in equal measure in return. Perhaps part of the idea of comfort is reflect by what we do to feel the embrace of forgiveness and comfort.

A great luminary and founder of the Hasidic movement was known to have devoted his early years to educating children. The Baal Shem Tov was a helper to a teacher. He devoted these nascent years of his life to teaching the foundation of Jewish prayer to tots. Beginning with the modeh ani, the Baal Shem Tov sought to instil the idea of holiness from a young age.

The Baal Shem understood that the greatest thing of life is simple thanks, another way of expressing and feeling love.

In the Talmud 1 Rabbi Simlai reacts to Moses wanting to enter in to Israel. Told he would be barred entry, Moses contested the Divine decree and argued with God to go to Israel. Why would Moses actually argue this point with God? What did Moses want?

The Hafetz Hayim reveals that most people would look at the breadth of Jewish tradition and become overwhelmed by its magnitude. They may look at the 613 mitzvot, for example, and with a shrug, confess that they cannot do it. They will not even try.

That, says the Hafetz Hayim, is akin to a man walking along the beach. Suddenly seeing pearls and diamonds wash ashore he rushes to collect all the precious gems. The more he puts into his hands the more falls through his fingers. Finally, he gives up and walks away because he could not possibly gather them all.

This, warns the Haeftz Hayim, is the great trap to which humans fall prey. We give up because the enormity of the job seems to great. Do what you can! He bellows from the past.

Moses debated with God about entering into Israel because many commandments relate solely to the Land and could only be fulfilled there. Moses wanted to do more.
To compound the gravity of his complaint, remember that this request of Moses takes place forty years after the Exodus from slavery! After all the events of the past - the golden calf, the bitter waters, the disappointment of the people with their food, the rebellion of Korah and much more - Moses has not lost hope or desire for doing more mitzvot. Moses understands the most vital secret of life, do not give up!

Rabbi B. Melchior describes the tradition that if the Jews would only keep two Shabbatot God would unleash the annointed one, the Messiah. Further tradition states that the two Shabbatot are specific, Hazon and Nachamu, last week and this week.

Melchior quotes hearing a student provide his understanding of why those two weeks are the pivotal ones to observe. If you can withstand the tragedy of pain, if you can look at the breadth of laws that Judaism contains, if you can accept what is difficult for you and still remain faithful on the next Shabbat there will be the final and absolute consolation of the Messiah.

Love keeps hope and trust alive.




1. Sotah, 14a


Haftara Insight:
This first haftara of consolation following Tisha B'Av asks startling questions of us. While we may shake our heads at our misfortune, there is God Who makes all else shrink in comparison. Isaiah uses the imagery of grass which grows dull, withers and ultimately disappears. The grass is like our lives. Yet, the Lord stands above all life and will not change. Despite all else, the covenant endures. Lift up your eyes, declares the prophet, and see.

A Matter of Law:

Do not deviate to the left or the right, states the Torah text. In other words, do not misuse, misconstrue or alter the words of the holy Torah. It is timeless and immutable. The meaning of the pasuk extends so far as to listen to the advice and interpretations of the Sages. When they interpret Torah, listen intently and follow their words.