This is Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, based in Mason City. We're glad you're here and let's get started! This week we start a new "book" of the Torah. Devarim (Deuteronomy) 1:1 - 3:22. The word "devarim" means "words" in Hebrew as we read, "These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel..." The astounding thing about Devarim that is different from all the other interactions between G-d and Moses is that before Hashem was speaking through Moses. Each time we read, "These are the words Hashem spoke to Moses..." Now all of that changes and the words are coming directly from...Moses.
Recounting Everything
This "book" is also called the Mishnah Torah which is often translated as "Repetition of the Torah" because here, in the final weeks of the life of Moses reviewed and taught all of the laws of the Torah and the entire history of Israel. There is also something different going on here because now Moses also underscores the teachings that will be relevant for Israel's new life it its Land.
The Spies, It's Always The Spies
Moses then goes into great detail about the twelve spies that entered Israel. Only two, Joshua and Caleb came back with a positive report. The others stoked fear. It was those reports that changed everything and so the people wandered for decades. But, it should be noted that they also learned some great lessons.
Then Moses says something interesting, "Hashem heard the sound of your words, and he was incensed..." (Deut. 1:34) Why did Moses say this rather than, "Hashem heard you..."? After all that was the message...right?
Actually the rabbis say there is a great lesson here. Words have sounds. The tone of voice can be sarcastic and give words the diametrically opposite meaning. When the spies said, “The Land is good,” the sarcastic tone of their voices indicated just the reverse.
The spies showed the Israelites the beautiful fruit they had brought. But the inflection of, “This is its fruit,” conveyed the message, “Just look at the size of the fruit! Gigantic fruit, gigantic people. They are invincible”
The Lesson
Rabbi Twerski z"l writes, "We must be as careful of how we speak as well as of what we say. The Chafetz Chaim says that one can be in violation of lashon hara (defamatory speech) without uttering a single word. If at the mention of a person's name you grimace in a way that indicates your disapproval of him, you are guilty of lashon hara."
Modern psychologists speak of the importance of body language. Non-verbal communication may be even more effective than what one verbalizes. We must be as careful not to “speak” lashon hara with the body as well as with the tongue.
This Week
As we spoke about in shul last week following Shabbat on the evening of the 6th we mark Tisha b' Av the Ninth of Av a day of mourning for all that has happened to our people for thousands of years. It's a complete fast day. A day to contemplate our lives and our world. What are we doing to get closer to G-d? How can we deepen our relationship. On Tisha b' Av we read from the Book of Lamentations always searching for a way to honor Hashem. We do so by sitting on the floor rather than in chairs. Comfort is not what we are seeking. So how do we get closer to Hashem?
We can do that in a variety of ways but it starts with a study of Torah. Take the time to reach and then read the commentary. Pick up a new mitzvah. Put a mezuzah on the doorpost of your home. Give to charity with a happy heart. Support the shul in its work to help educate and inform not only the Jew but also the Gentile.
We are all in this together.
May you have a wonderful Shabbat and an easy fast. Thanks for reading.
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