Tyler’s Torah Thoughts of 6 Av, 5783
Today’s passage is all about cycles. Moses explains to the Israelites that when they go into the land, “if you grow old in the promised land, and you have children or grandchildren, and you make an idol or an image of anything, and then do evil in the eyes of God, Moses will call the skies and earth as witnesses, that you will be eliminated speedily from the promised land.”
That obviously happened as we have been scattered from the promised land. We will make mistakes. AND. Moses goes on:
“At the end of days when you are in distress, and all these things have happened to you, then you will return to God, your God, and obey Him.”
And Moses adds; “For God, your God, is a merciful God. He will not loosen His connection with you or destroy you. He will not forget the covenant of your fathers.”
So we can expect moments where we make mistakes. And we can expect moments we return to Hashem. God gives us many chances.
Today, what comes to mind is this idea of curiosity. Exploration. With six kids, I have the “privilege” of watching a lot of kids shows. One that really stuck out to me (which was also a part of my childhood) is “The Magic School Bus.” One of my favorite lines is from Miss Frizzle; “Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!” In addition, she also says the following:
- “As I always say; make mistakes, make mistakes, make mistakes! It’s the best was to learn something!”
- “If you keep asking questions, you’ll keep getting answers”
- “As my old parachute instructor used to say, look before you leap, and never jump to conclusions.”
- “Where the road ends, the adventure begins!”
- “If you don’t look, you’ll never see. And what you don’t see can be very hard to find.”
It is as if Miss Frizzle understands Moses here.
Here’s my question. If the Torah is all about making mistakes and getting more chances, WHY do we feel such anxiety around it? Why do we believe we have to be “perfect” to please Hashem?
Thoughts? I’d love to know. I have my ideas – but I am curious as to yours!
My commentary from a year ago:
Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 12 Av, 5782
We are moving towards one of the more happier days of the Jewish calendar. We came out of Tisha B’Av (9th of Av) and we head to Tu B’Av. This starts at sunset on Thursday and goes until sunset on Friday.
This is a minor day on the Jewish calendar. In modern times, it’s kind of like the Jewish Valentines Day. A good primer on it is here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu_B%27Av
Something to keep in mind for Thursday going into Friday. If you want to ask someone out on a date, or plan a date; Thursday night is a good time to do it!
Also. There is an event within Judaism that globally at the same time people pray together to pray for their life partners, or the life partners of their friends;
In New York, this time is 10am on Friday. People are doing this around the globe.
It’s a fascinating holiday that many people aren’t aware of.
Throw your name in the comments below (or DM me if you Don’t want it out publicly) and I will pray for you to find a life partner!! Or put your name into the website above and have people over the globe pray for you!
Let’s continue into the Portion as we catch back up from missing a day on Tisha B’Av.
Moses just finished telling the Israelites that he was not going into the land with them. He told them to be careful not to make idols.
He tells them if you grow old in the promised land, and you have children or grandchildren, and you make an idol or an image of anything, and then do evil in the eyes of God, Moses will call the skies and earth as witnesses, that you will be eliminated speedily from the promised land.
God will scatter you among the nations and you will remain few in number among the nations where God will lead you.
Um. So. I guess THAT happened. We look around today and we are mostly NOT living in the promised land. We are scattered.
But Moses keeps going.
From there you will seek God and you will find Him. If you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Moses knew. He knew we were going to make idols in the promised land. He knew we were going to be scattered. And yet, he reminded us, there is still hope. Seek God.
He tells them in the Torah: “at the end of days when you are in distress, and all these things have happened to you, then you will return to God, your God, and obey Him.”
And Moses adds; “For God, your God, is a merciful God. He will not loosen His connection with you or destroy you. He will not forget the covenant of your fathers.”
It continues to be clear that the God of the Torah is a God of mercy and love. Second chances. Third chances. There is always hope.
Moses provides proof and says “look at all the amazing things He’s done despite our rejection of Him” (paraphrasing).
Moses tells us – “He did all of this because He loved your forefathers and He chose their children after them.”
He basically says “God loves you, despite how you’ve treated Him. He continues to love you, despite how you treat Him.”
Moses finishes yesterday’s portion with this:
“Today, you should know and take to your heart, that God is God in the heavens above, and on the earth below. There is no other. You should observe His suprarational commands and His (other) commandments, which I am commanding you today, so that He will be good to you and your children after you. Then you will remain for a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you eternally.”
(END SECOND PORTION)
That is a comforting message – and one we can take to heart.
Ok. Todays portion picks up from Moses talking to the children of Israel by separation three cities east of the Jordan where the sun rises. These were the three cities of refuge we discussed prior – places where a murderer who killed unintentionally could flee to and be safe.
Then todays portion closes with a review of the Torah. And a brief history of how they came to be on the east side of the Jordan.
All of this definitely feels like preparation to enter the promised land.
What are your thoughts?
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