Drash on Parashat Ha’azinu (Shabbat Shuvah)

Rabbi Gary J Robuck

ACT Jewish Community

This week, in synagogues around the world, we encounter the Torah’s penultimate sidra, Haa’azinu.  The portion is an extended song: a bruising, epic poem recalling the significant misbehaviour of Israel during its desert wanderings, its ingratitude, rebellious spirit and faithlessness.  The attention of the Biblical text seems no longer to be trained on the surrounding nations but on Israel’s lusts and lapses, and its violation of the covenant first agreed to at Sinai.  It is highly condemnatory. Happily, however, at its end the covenant is preserved and the people encouraged to turn their hearts heavenward, to teach their children, and to perform all the words of the Torah.  With this, Moses is instructed to ascend Mount Nebo and to glimpse upon the land of Israel below in the moments just prior to his death at the age of 120.

The portion lacks the heft of Parashat Nitzavim read just one week earlier and again on Yom Kippur morning in which we are enjoined to “return” – to make Teshuvah and to “choose life”.  Or, for that matter, this week’s haftarah in which the Prophet Hosea twice cries: “Shuva Yisrael” – “Return O’ Israel to the Eternal your God…” (14:1-2). Regardless, this sidra, this Shabbat and the days surrounding, are all ripe for reflection, regret, remorse and spiritual rehabilitation, a time for all of us to consider our derech –  our spiritual direction in the year to come.

To finish, I take pleasure in sharing with you one of my favourite short stories, drawn from one of my favourite books: Chicken Soup for the Jewish Soul.  Perfect for reading aloud at your Shabbat or Yontif table, it is a reminder that relationships, though they may be badly ruptured by an ill-spoken word or intemperate act, can in many instances, be salvaged.

Paco, Come Home
In a small town in Spain, a man named Jorge had a bitter argument with his young son Paco.  The next day Jorge discovered that Paco’s bed was empty-he had run away from home.  Overcome with sadness, Jorge searched his soul and realised that his son was more important to him than anything else.  He wanted to start over.  Jorge went to a well-known store in the centre of town and posted a large sign that read, “Paco, come home.  I love you.  Meet me here tomorrow morning.”

The next morning Jorge went to the store, where he found no less than seven young boys named Paco who had also run away from home.  They were all answering the call for love, each hoping it was his dad inviting him home with open arms.

Questions for discussion:
Who do the characters represent?
What might have been said that compelled Paco to run away from home?
What does our story teach us about the power of love?
What in the world does this odd story of Paco have to do with this season of the Jewish year?

G’mar Chatimah Tova.

Rabbi Gary J Robuck is Rabbi of the Progressive Congregation and Educational Director for the ACT Jewish community. His new program, MyJU.ps –a series of original educational roadmaps perfect for schools and families, will be available for review at the upcoming Biennial conference or upon request at any time.