Dear Friends,
As we emerge from the observance of Tish’ah B’Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, we spring into Shabbat and Parshat Vaet-hanan, which includes both the Ten Commandments and the Shema’. Though those are among our greatest hit passages, I want to direct our attention to the first words of the portion, in which Moshe is reeling from the knowledge that he won’t enter the Promised Land. I speak of coping with unfinished business in my written drash, which you can find by clicking here. If you prefer, click here for the video version.
The Shabbat after Tish’ah B’Av is known as Shabbat Nahamu–because of the opening words of the Haftarah: “Comfort, oh comfort My people, says your God” (Isaiah 40:1). It’s a passage that has been set to music by a number of Jewish recording artists.
As I mentioned above, the first paragraph of the Shema’, our famous declaration of faith in the oneness of God, is also in our Torah portion. It’s been ages, but Svika Pik became famous for this Hasidic Song Festival hit from the ’70s.
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom, and as always good health,
