The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek in memory of Kenneth Gordon.
Devarim
Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
The sacred readings of this week bring soul-stirring contrasts.
The start of the Book of Deuteronomy brings us the majestic beginning of Moshe’s final discourse to the Israelites on the eve of their entry into the Land of Israel. It is a moment of dramatic transition. Moshe looks backward, recounting the Israelites’ journey, including incidents of their rebellion and complaint, as well as violence against local peoples at God’s command. There is a quality of breathless expectation, as the promise of the land will soon be fulfilled.
But we read this parashah days before Tisha B’Av, which begins on the evening of July 22. Those listening closely will hear one verse recited in the mournful trope associated with the book of Eicha, known in English as Lamentations. “How can I bear unaided the trouble of you, and the burden, and the bickering!” (Deuteronomy 1:12) The words refer to Moshe’s frustration over leading a people so often dominated by fear, negativity and faithlessness. But the melody draws us into the sorrow and tragedy of the book of Eicha: “Alas! Lonely sits the city once great with people! She that was great among nations is become like a widow; the princess among states has become a slave.” (Lamentations 1:1)
This year especially, the words of Eicha are profoundly resonant. There are heart-rending images of Jerusalem grieving over her own destruction, devastated by her defeats and her pariah status among the nations. “Bitterly she weeps in the night, her cheek wet with tears. There is none to comfort her of all her friends. All her allies have betrayed her; they have become her foes.” (Lamentations 1:2) “All her pursuers overtook her in the narrow places.” (1:3) “Zion’s roads are in mourning… she is utterly disconsolate!… Her foes are at ease.” (1:4-5) “Her people fell by enemy hands with none to help her; when enemies looked on and gloated over her downfall.” (1:7)
This is obviously not the first moment in Jewish history when the words of Eicha have eerily echoed current reality. But there is something about this moment in time. Israel still suffers mightily from the trauma of Oct. 7, the many losses and the sense of betrayal. In the ensuing years, antisemitism has surged around the world. And in the diplomatic sphere, it often seems that Israel has become a pariah nation. It is easy to imagine the State of Israel, personified, uttering the traditional words of lamentations and weeping. We weep along with her.
Israel, once seen as a paragon of virtue and democratic governance, is now seen around the world as in the thrall of a despotic regime, responsible for mass death and destruction all around her. The sense of love and affinity that many nations have always felt for Israel seems to have shattered as the world has watched Israel’s ferocious military response to attacks. Even among Jews around the world, Israel has gone from being a unifying center of Jewish life and joy to a source of agonizing pain and polarization. In families and communities around the world, Jews have lamented, how can we bear the losses, the betrayal, the sense of pain and danger?
Even the words of this week’s haftarah portion are replete with words of admonition. Isaiah conveys God’s disgust with superficial performance of sacrifices, holidays and liturgies. “Bringing oblations is futile, incense is offensive to Me…. Your new moons and fixed seasons fill Me with loathing. They are become a burden to Me; I cannot endure them.” (Isaiah 1:13-14) Instead, what God desires is clean hands, devotion to the good and to justice and to defense of the wronged, the orphan and the widow. (Isaiah 1:17)
In more positive times, I read this passage as a glorious pronouncement of the prophetic stream of Judaism. As Jews we believe that our liturgical life is profoundly enriched by sacred seasons and rituals. But the prophet urges us to remember that those rituals are only meaningful to the extent that they are accompanied by devotion to justice, to fairness and empathy and to pursuit of the good. This is an admonition: Do not think that ritual alone will save you. But it is also a promise that there is a path back to justice.
In the liturgical calendar, comfort will come next Shabbat, when we will read the soothing words of the haftarah, “‘Comfort, O comfort, My people,’ says your God.” (Isaiah 40:1) May we take those words of consolation deep into our beings.
But even at the end of this week’s haftarah, there are words that have long felt deeply encouraging to me. Isaiah, speaking for God, promises a time of restoration to good governance. “After that you shall be called City of Righteousness, Faithful City.” (Isaiah 1:26) And finally, “Zion shall be saved in judgment; Her repentant ones in righteousness.” (Isaiah 1:27). The prophet promises that the day will come when Zion will again be governed with virtue and faithfulness, that leaders will repent of their wickedness, and the beloved city will be redeemed.
May that day come soon.