Parashat Ha’azinu is the 53rd weekly Torah portion in the Book of Devarim. “Ha'azinu” translates to “listen” and consists of a 70 line song recited by Moses to the people of Israel on the last day of his life. Moses’s song recalls how Hashem singularly chose the people of Israel as His nation. Moses also warns the Israelites that if they ever turned away from Hashem, terrible punishments would come upon them. This song is not just a farewell but a profound reminder of the past, as a call to remember and learn from what has come before us.

There is a question often posed by commentators about why Moses chose to convey his ideas through a song. There is something profoundly spiritual about music. The sages in the Talmud have identified 10 songs that marked significant moments in Jewish history, including the song of the Israelites in Egypt, the song at the Red Sea, and the song at the well, and ha'azinu at the end of Moses’ life. 

Songs make individuals listen and carry messages and ideas in a way that a speech cannot. Moses uses a song to reach the heart of the people to evoke emotions and create a lasting final impression. Songs are also typically easier to remember than long speeches, here creating a deeper collective experience for the Israelites, fostering a sense of community. The choice of a song serves as a reminder that our spiritual journey is not merely an individual experience but is also emotional and communal. 

This week we celebrate the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New year, and the start of the Ten Days of Awe. During Rosh Hashanah, we gather as a community to repent, pray for forgiveness, and recite prayers. The blowing of the shofar is a wake up call. 

Rosh Hashanah is fundamentally a time for reflection, a period when we look back over the past year, examining our actions and their consequences, acknowledging both our strengths and our weaknesses. Moses’s warnings in Ha’azinu reinforce this need for self-analysis and accountability. Moses reminds us of the consequences of straying from the path that Hashem has set for us, urging us to remember and learn from the errors of the past.

The process of remembering is not solely about looking backward but also about facing the future with a renewed sense of purpose and preparation. There is a natural apprehension that accompanies the unknown future for this new year. The situation in Israel and around the world is more uncertain than ever. In our own personal lives there is also apprehension about next year. Whether that is in our academic journeys, in our friendships, in our hobbies or in other parts of our lives. However, this fear of the future can be reduced by recalling how we have faced challenges before and how we have been guided and protected each time. In remembering the past, we find the strength and wisdom to face whatever lies ahead.

As we come together this Rosh Hashanah, it is important to remember the strength we gain from being part of a community and from following Moses's teachings in Ha'azinu. With faith and community, we can go towards the new year with strength and confidence. 

Shabbat Shalom and Shanah Tovah U’metukah

Elya, Grade 12