[P>] and [S>] indicate start of a parsha p’tucha
or s’tuma respectively.
We also learn from this pasuk that we answer BARUCH HU U'VARUCH SH'MO when we hear G-d's name in a bracha (unless there is a halachic reason for not "interrupting"). From here, says the Gemara, we learn the mitzva of saying a bracha before learning Torah. (It is also derived logically from Birkat HaMazon.) Others learn from here (together with its context) that we should pray to G-d when there is a lack of rain. And, that we have brachot for different kinds of foods, rather than one catch-all bracha. This versatile pasuk is borrowed from here to introduce the Musaf, Mincha, and Ne'ila Amida.
There is no generation gap in real Jewish life; the older generation teaches the new one, the new generation gains by asking questions of their elders and learning from them. G-d structured the world in parallel to the developing nation of Israel, and granted us special protection and guidance - "like an eagle protects its young..." SDT Just as the positive effect of rain is often not immediately apparent, manifesting itself only at a later time in its effect on plant life - so it is sometimes with Torah. SDT The lessons of Torah are compared to dew, rain showers, and down- pours. All water, but different intensities and speeds. So too Torah, for different people. The analogy between Torah and water has many levels.
Moshe tells us that G-d's reaction to our disloyalty is HESTEIR PANIM - the hiding of "G-d's Face", so to speak. He also tell us that there have been several times when G-d had wanted to destroy the People of Israel but did not, so as not to give the nations of the world cause to doubt the power of the "G-d of Israel". It is striking how similar are the words of reproach and how different the presentation.
MITZVA WATCH
This is the only mitzva that Rambam counts that Sefer HaChinuch does not. (In
order to keep the number 613, there is one example of vice versa.)
Moshe, in front of Yehoshua, tells the people to heed the warning of this SHIRA and to keep the Torah, which in turn, will keep them. An important point that has been oft- repeated in the book of D'varim is this: We did not receive the Land of Israel with "no strings attached". We must always be worthy of holding on to Eretz Yisrael. Sometimes that reminder is subtle; sometimes it is heavy-handed. Here we have: Take the Torah seriously, because it is the basis upon which we will have a long tenure in the land. [P>32:48] G-d then tells Moshe to ascend Har Aravim-Nevo, see the Land from there, and die there, as Aharon had done earlier (the Torah reiterates the reason that both Moshe and Aharon couldn't enter Eretz Yisrael - namely, the incident when Moshe hit the rock rather than speak to it, missing an opportunity to sanctify G-d's name), rather than enter the Land which the People of Israel will enter. The last 5 p'sukim are repeated for the Maftir.
Haftara - 22 p'sukim - Hoshea 14:2-10 (9)Yoel 2:15-27 (13) The choice of the haftara this time is because of the Shabbat between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, rather than the usual idea of a connection to the sedra. SHUVA YISRAEL AD HASHEM... These opening words of the Haftara give the Shabbat its name and basically say it all. Return to G-d. The following pasuk emphasizes the power of prayer in the T'shuva process. The command to repent is accompanied by wonderful promises (prophecies) of redemption and restoration of the former glory of Israel. The passage from Yoel gives us a Shofar connection to the T'shuva process. Another encouraging note as we face the task of returning to G-d, is His assurance that He is among us - even before our T'shuva. And that He will not shame His people ever. The last pasuk in Hoshea states, "Who is wise who understands this, an intelligent person will know: G-d's ways are straight, the righteous will walk upon them and the sinner will trip on them." Very often it is the same activity or the same thing that people handle differently, with the result that one person succeeds and the other falters. It is often a matter of attitude. Notwithstanding the fact that the Haftara was not “chosen” because of the sedra, they do have some points in common. One example: The sedra speaks of rain in a figurative, spiritual sense and the Haftara mentions its more literal meaning in connection with prosperity. The prosperity angle is particularly interesting, since it appears in the sedra as a criticism and in the Haftara as a sign that G-d has forgiven His people. This fits with what was mentioned above about the last pasuk in Hoshea. [The Parshat
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