Parashat Ha-azinu 5786

by Rabbi Margie Cella

This penultimate parashah of the Torah is Moses’ final song to the nation. In it, he offers praise to God for all that God has done for the nation and exhorts the people once again to remain faithful to God.

The central theme of Moses’ prayer is connected to ears and hearing. Moses begins by calling both the heavens and the earth to give ear to his words [Deuteronomy 32:1]. The word ha-azinu literally asks that the heavens make themselves into ears (oznaiim) after he is gone, to listen in as witnesses to all we do and experience. Speaking to the earth, Moses uses the word tishma—hear. The heavens and the earth, brought into being at the very beginning of God’s creation, will stand as eternal witnesses to the covenant forged between God and Israel.

Following this introduction, Moses then invokes beautiful imagery to recount all that God has done for the nation, like an eagle carrying its young on its wings. The people were blessed with the abundant food and wine of the land. He continues by reminding them of the consequences they endured as a result of idolatry and turning away from God and warns them against doing so again in the future.

At the conclusion, we read that Moses “spoke all the words of this poem in the ears of the people.” The Torah, he tells them (and us), “is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life.” [32:47] Ironically, this is followed by God telling Moses to go up to Mount Nebo, where he is to die like Aaron did before him.

Twice each day we are commanded to recite the words of the Shema—hear, O Israel.

Oseh Shalom, Maker of Peace, the heavens and the earth still stand as witnesses to Your glory. Help us to have open ears to hear the words of Your Torah, and open hearts to observe Your mitzvot.