Parsha Talk Ha’azinu 5783 2022

Parsha Talk – with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chseler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Ha’azinu [Deuteronomy 32:1-52] presented us with unusual difficulties, of a technological nature. Because of the way Yom Kippur fell out, we recorded during my school day, and space in my school is at a premium. Eliot askes for mechilah [forgiveness] in case I come in and out, I was reminded periodically that my internet connection was unstable, and I do as well.
Ha’azinu presents other difficulties as well. The parashah is divided into a poem [verses 1–43] and a prose sections [44–52], which Professor Jeffrey Tigay entitles “Conclusion to the Poem”. The poem, as far as the Torah records, should have become more important than it actually became, perhaps because of some of the theological issues which we discuss. The parashah ends with God yet again telling Moses he will not enter the Promised Land, but can only view it from the mountain.
We also took the opportunity to discuss some elements of the upcoming holiday of Sukkot, which begins this Sunday night. Shabbat Shalom & Hag Same’ach!