Dear Friends,
Moses could be running for office! Listen to his amazing oratory in our Torah portion this week, extoling our nation of Israel:
“Surely, that great nation is a wise and discerning people. For what great nation is there that has a God so close at hand as is the Eternal our God whenever we call? Or what great nation has laws and rules as perfect as all this Teaching that I set before you this day?” [Deut. 4:6-8]
This is near the very end of our forty-year trek in the desert, and near the end of Moses’ life. He has completed his work, yet now he is exhorting our people not only to observe the commandments which he is repeating to them in our portion, but to appreciate the majesty and exceptional gifts which our people can celebrate. It is as if he is running for office, as he is campaigning for God and Torah.
We might think this is unnecessary. After all, we had just been forty years in the desert, supported by Moses and fed by God. Moreover, not far in our collective national memory was our redemption from Egypt, and the great signs and wonders which God had done for us in defeating Pharaoh and his armies.
So, why do we see Moses imploring and admonishing the people of Israel – them and us – to appreciate and recognize the unique virtues of our people, our God and our Torah?
Simple. We could forget. We have forgotten. We will forget. Again.
Only through this wonderful celebration and exhortation will we be reminded of how magnificent and splendid is our lot in all the earth! And moreover, if Moses, who himself witnessed all of God’s achievements, and spoke to God face to face, must cry out, “What great nation has a God, or has rules and laws…” then we, too should cry out and celebrate our greatness.
Just three weeks ago, we marked July 4th with fireworks from coast to coast, concerts beside rivers and beaches, airplane flyovers and a presidential address. It was our American way of saying, “What great nation has what we have in America?”
So, too, we should be celebrating with no less enthusiasm, regarding the people of Israel, “For what great nation is there that has a God so close at hand as is the Eternal our God whenever we call? Or what great nation has laws and rules as perfect as all this Teaching that I set before you this day?"
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Moses could be running for office! Listen to his amazing oratory in our Torah portion this week, extoling our nation of Israel:
“Surely, that great nation is a wise and discerning people. For what great nation is there that has a God so close at hand as is the Eternal our God whenever we call? Or what great nation has laws and rules as perfect as all this Teaching that I set before you this day?” [Deut. 4:6-8]
This is near the very end of our forty-year trek in the desert, and near the end of Moses’ life. He has completed his work, yet now he is exhorting our people not only to observe the commandments which he is repeating to them in our portion, but to appreciate the majesty and exceptional gifts which our people can celebrate. It is as if he is running for office, as he is campaigning for God and Torah.
We might think this is unnecessary. After all, we had just been forty years in the desert, supported by Moses and fed by God. Moreover, not far in our collective national memory was our redemption from Egypt, and the great signs and wonders which God had done for us in defeating Pharaoh and his armies.
So, why do we see Moses imploring and admonishing the people of Israel – them and us – to appreciate and recognize the unique virtues of our people, our God and our Torah?
Simple. We could forget. We have forgotten. We will forget. Again.
Only through this wonderful celebration and exhortation will we be reminded of how magnificent and splendid is our lot in all the earth! And moreover, if Moses, who himself witnessed all of God’s achievements, and spoke to God face to face, must cry out, “What great nation has a God, or has rules and laws…” then we, too should cry out and celebrate our greatness.
Just three weeks ago, we marked July 4th with fireworks from coast to coast, concerts beside rivers and beaches, airplane flyovers and a presidential address. It was our American way of saying, “What great nation has what we have in America?”
So, too, we should be celebrating with no less enthusiasm, regarding the people of Israel, “For what great nation is there that has a God so close at hand as is the Eternal our God whenever we call? Or what great nation has laws and rules as perfect as all this Teaching that I set before you this day?"
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
