This week's Torah Portion is called Va'Eschanan ("I implored") the first Hebrew word in the reading which is Deut 3:23 - 7:11. Welcome to our weekly lesson from the Adas Israel, the Jewish Congregation of Mason City, Iowa. Glad you could come by for a moment.
If you remember, G-d had told Moses that he would not be allowed to enter the Land of Israel because he disobeyed the order to "speak to the rock" to bring water rather than hitting it...as he had done before. We could look at this as an honest mistake. However when G-d commands something we need to be mindful of what he is saying. To act on impulse isn't in our best interests.
Here Moses prays, once again, that he be allowed to enter Israel. G-d again says "no". Which brings us to the idea of prayer. While we believe G-d answers all prayers often the answer is...no. Why is that?
It's not an easy answer. We see illness and injury and the prayers to heal go up from our minds and our mouths. The prayers are always answered. Sometimes there is healing and sometimes there is not. It is frustrating and often causes people to turn away from religion. But, and this is hard to write, there are lessons here that may not be evident to us at the time but with time...they can become more clear.
It's our human understand which may be hard to accept but that is simply because we are...human.
The parsha goes on to make sure Moses tells the people not to add or subtract from the words of the Torah and to keep all of the Commandments. And then the Ten Commandments are once again shared with the entire congregation and Moses expounds on the Shema (Deut. 6: 4-9). The importance of placing a Mezuzah on the doorposts of your house and men wearing Tefillin for prayer.
The parsha also contains the commandment not to intermarry with those who are not Jewish. Why? G-d says, "...because they will lead your children away from me..."
Tough stuff to reconcile. Talk about it among your friends and family. We can also speak of this next week.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Our August Erv Shabbat Service will take place on Friday the 23rd at 7:15pm and our Midrash (Bible Study) will be on Shabbat (Saturday) the 24th starting at 10:00am. The text will be Deut. 7:12 - 11:25.
All are welcome...
See you in shul!
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