Ha'azinu
The Sound of Dew
Adapted from Rabbi Ruth Gais
Give ear, O heavens, let
me speak; Let the earth hear the words I utter!
May my teaching drip as
the rain, My words flow as the dew . . .
(Devarim/Deuteronomy 32: 2-3).
Moshe's final words to his
people are poetry. These words are so important that ordinary prose just won't
work -- the entire world, heaven and earth must listen. These words must fall upon us like
rain, and touch us like dew. The
words Moshe delivers in this parashah are paradoxical. He says:
If we stray from God's path, we will bring ruin upon ourselves. But he also says: God will not allow
such a thing to happen.
If we explore the
juxtaposition of rain and dew, perhaps we can untangle this paradox. Rain
always calls attention to itself. Sometimes we are grateful for it and
sometimes we find it annoying, damaging, or dangerous. Dew, on the other hand, is quiet,
unassuming, beneficial and dependable -- yet mysterious. Although it appears every morning, we
are likely to take it for granted.
On the one hand, Moshe's
words are like rain--an attention-grabbing teaching that we may not like, but
we cannot ignore. If we act poorly
towards others, we do suffer ruinous consequences. On the other hand, Moshe's words are like dew, alerting us
to the hidden goodness of God that we so often take for granted. We do have a conscience, as individuals
and as a collective. If we listen
to its quiet voice, we can often correct ourselves before we stray.
Return to Reb Laura's
"Taste of Torah" list.
Return
to "Teachings from Our Rabbis and Friends" list.
|
[ Home ] |
[ Asiyah ] |
[ Yetzirah ] |
[ Briyah ] |
[ Atzilut ] |
[ Calendar ] |
|
|
( Doing ) |
( Feeling ) |
( Knowing ) |
( Being ) |
|