Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 27 Tamuz, 5783

Today we begin the “final” book of the Torah.  I use the word “final” loosely because the Torah – like our spiritual liberation and freedom, is not a linear process.  As soon as we finish Deuteronomy, we will go right back to Genesis.

The word “Deuteronomy” means – repetition of the law.  Remember, the word “law” here is more (in my opinion) connected to “opportunities to connect with Hashem” or “opportunities to connect with our soul.”  So this book is meant (again, in my opinion) with ways for us to connect to our own soul.

This is from the Chumash I am reading:

Deuteronomy (“repetition of the law”) is a new book with a different approach. As you rise each morning, don’t view the new day as a repetition; it is a new page in your life, requiring a novel approach. This is a good theme for us to consider as we read this last book of the Torah. We are moving towards the end of our journey learning about liberation- and, closer towards the beginning (Genesis) of the cycle of getting us into slavery again.

Devarim is the first Parsha of Deuteronomy.  Devarim means “words.”  We are basically getting Moses giving the Israelites his “last lecture.”  This is his final communication to us.  We are about to head into the promised land. Moses is about to pass. Joshua is about to take over as leader.

As we turn the page to a new “segment” of our lives, especially with the new moon and the month of Av approaching this week, this is a really good place to be.  Setting our intentions for the next segment is a crucial piece.

What is it we want to bring with us into this new segment?

What is it we want to let go of and leave behind?

There are the questions we can be chewing on – and – I think – Moses is going to help us with this in our readings.

Because today’s portion?  It’s a rebuke.  He is helping us explore what we should be leaving behind when we enter the promised land.  What should we leave behind as we enter this next segment of our journey?

His first rebuke:

• You have been living too much time by this mountain.  It is time to MOVE!

What have we been stuck on in this moment? What do we need to let go of?

I have recently been learning about this very process, and what has gotten me stuck? Self condemnation.  There were things I have been holding onto – where I needed to ask myself for forgiveness.  Regrets. Guilt. Shame. And I was scared to move forward carrying these burdens.  It felt safer to remain where I was because it was COMFORTABLE.  I got comfortable with these regrets, guilt and shame.   But it is time to move. We need to go forward and trust.  And the worst case scenario? As the Torah seems to indicate? We will start over with Genesis.

Every moment is a Genesis to a new moment.

Every moment is an Exodus to a new moment.

Every moment has a new moment we are called to (Leviticus).

Every moment counts.  Numbers.

Every moment is a repetition. An opportunity to repeat a previous moment, or an opportunity to turn a new page.  Deuteronomy.

These are my thoughts.  What are yours?

Here is my commentary from a year ago:

Tyler’s Torah thoughts for 3 Av, 5782

Last night, I was driving and saw the sliver of the moon. It was a beautiful sight. And it was a sliver of hope that in the current heaviness and darkness there is light forming and beginning. May the Torah be a guide to our internal lights on our journey from slavery to liberation! Let’s dig into a new Parsha and the last book of the Torah this week!

Devarim is the first Parsha in Deuteronomy. Devarim literally means “words.”

Deuteronomy means “repetition of the law.” From the Chumash;

Deuteronomy (“repetition of the law”) is a new book with a different approach. As you rise each morning don’t view the new day as a repetition; it is a new page in your life, requiring a novel approach. This is a good theme for us to consider as we read this last book of the Torah. We are moving towards the end of our journey learning about liberation- and, closer towards the beginning (Genesis) of the cycle of getting us into slavery again.

Moses starts Deuteronomy with a rebuke of the Jewish people as they were on the bank of the Jordan.

He mentioned places on the journey to the Jordan River where the people rebelled against God.

Then we get the time frame of how long it took to get there:

In the fortieth year. In the eleventh month. On the first day of the month. Moses spoke to the children of Israel right before his passing.

He rebuked them about everything God commanded him on their behalf. Moses began to “explain the Torah” there as well. The Torah alludes to Moses giving different translations and interpretations Of the Torah as well.

This was Moses’ “last lecture” in a sense.

He rebuked about the need to appoint judges to close the portion today.

I’m reflecting on why Moses would rebuke the people right before they were to enter the promised land. I sit with this. You’d think this would be a joyous day. They’ve made it through the wilderness. They are just about to get to their destination. And Moses basically “yuks their yum” by reminding them of their past.

In our journey to freedom and liberation, we need to always ground ourselves in  remembering who we are; and where we came from. And. Probably. Where we will go back to. As we see the Torah is a cycle. We have periods of slavery, and periods of liberation. But the point of the Torah isn’t necessarily about a destination. It’s about the journey. In fact, that is what Moses is saying here. One of the lines in the portion says “you have been living too much time by this mountain.” We aren’t meant to be stagnant – even in freedom and liberation. We are meant to recycle. At least in my opinion.

What are your thoughts?