THE TORAH READING FOR 8 AV 5781 JULY 16-17, 2021
SHABBAT CHAZON (Sabbath of Vision aka Black Sabbath)
The name is based on the haftarah read on the Shabbat immediately before Tisha B’Av, which this year begins the evening of Saturday, July 17, 2021.
PARSHA
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/dvarim
D’varim (דְּבָרִים – Hebrew for “the Words”) Deuteronomy 1:1−3:22
These are the words that Moses addressed to all Israel on the other side of the Jordan. – Deuteronomy 1:1
SUMMARY:
- Moses begins his final words of instruction to the Children of Israel, focusing first on recounting their physical journey. (1:1–21)
- Moses reviews the people’s reactions to the negative reports of the spies and the appointment of Joshua to succeed him. (1:22–45)
- Moses recounts that all of the Israelite warriors who left Egypt died, as God had intended, and the people continued their wanderings and defeated their enemies. (2:14–3:11)
- Moses reiterates that the Land of Israel was allocated to the Israelite tribes. (3:12–22)
The Haftarah is Isaiah 1:1-27
From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devarim_(parashah)
Devarim is always read on the final Shabbat of Admonition, the Shabbat immediately prior to Tisha B’Av. That Shabbat is called Shabbat Chazon, corresponding to the first word of the haftarah, which is Isaiah 1:1-27.
From Hebcal https://www.hebcal.com/holidays/shabbat-chazon
Shabbat Chazon (“Sabbath [of] vision” שבת חזון) takes its name from the Haftarah that is read on the Shabbat immediately prior to the mournful fast of Tisha B’Av, from the words of rebuke and doom coming from Isaiah in the Book of Isaiah 1:1-27. It is also referred to as the Black Sabbath due to its status as the saddest Shabbat of the year (as opposed to the White Sabbath, Shabbat Shuvah, immediately [preceding] Yom Kippur).
STRUGGLING WITH TORAH
From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Deuteronomy
DEVARIM – THE BOOK of DEUTERONOMY
The title of the fifth and last book of Torah is D’varim in Hebrew and Deuteronomy in English – literally “second law” from Greek deuteros + nomos. [This is believed to be the scroll that was discovered during the restoration of the Temple under King Josiah and affirmed as authentic by the Prophetess Huldah. For information on Huldah access the Jewish Virtual Library website https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/huldah]
From Sefaria.org
Devarim (Deuteronomy) consists of three sermons by Moses delivered shortly before entering the Promised Land [Chapters 1-30]. The first sermon recalls the period of forty years of wondering in the wilderness and concludes with an exhortation to observe the Torah’s commandments. The second reminds the Israelites to remain loyal to God and not to follow strange gods. To observe the laws He has given them, on which possession of the Promised Land is dependent. The third provides comfort that even if Israel is unfaithful and exiled from the land, through repentance a return is possible.
From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Deuteronomy
The final four chapters (31–34) contain the Song of Moses, the Blessing of Moses, and narratives recounting the passing of the mantle of leadership from Moses to Joshua and, finally, the death of Moses on Mount Nebo.
Virtually all secular scholars reject its attribution to Moses and date the book much later, between the 7th and 5th centuries BCE. Chapters 12–26, containing the Deuteronomic Code, are the earliest section, followed by the second prologue (Ch. 5-11), and then the first prologue (Ch. 1-4); the chapters following 26 are similarly layered. Most scholars believe that the Deuteronomic Code was composed during the late monarchic period, around the time of King Josiah (late 7th century BCE), although some scholars have argued for a later date, either during the Babylonian captivity (597-539 BCE) or during the Persian period (539-332 BCE). Many scholars see the book as reflecting the economic needs and social status of the Levite caste, who are believed to have provided its authors; those likely authors are collectively referred to as the Deuteronomist.
One of its most significant verses is Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema Yisrael, which has become the definitive statement of Jewish identity: “Hear, O Israel: the [Eternal] our God, the [Eternal] is one.”
From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devarim_(parashah)
DEVARIM – THE PARSHA
The [Parsha for this Shabbat recounts episodes from the 40 years in the wilderness including how] Moses appointed chiefs, the episode of the Twelve Spies, encounters with the Edomites and Ammonites, the conquest of Sihon and Og, and the assignment of land for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh. [Moses encourages our ancestors in their upcoming conquest of Canaan. The chapters that make up this Parsha are part of the “first prologue” which ends with chapter 4.]
[The triennial reading is Deuteronomy 2:2-2:30. In it God tells Moses that they have been skirting the hill country long enough and to turn north. They will be passing through territory belonging to the descendants of Esau, their kinsmen and they are to avoid provoking them. The Israelites are to pay them for any food or water that they need. From there they move onto Moab and again they are instructed not to provoke or harass the Moabites. Their land was assigned to them as descendants of Lot. The Israelites sojourn for 38 years from Kadesh-barnea to the wadi Zered. The whole generation of warriors have now died as God swore. They are told that they will pass close to the Ammonites and they are not to harass or fight with them. This section also mentions the Anakim, a race of “giants” and the Rephaites, another race of exceptionally tall people.]
TISHA B’AV
In some traditions, the first nine days of the Jewish Month of Av are an intense period of mourning. The destruction of the first and second temples, the expulsion from Spain in 1492, and several other tragic and disastrous events in Jewish history are recalled. This period of mourning culminates with a full fast day and reading the Book of Lamentations on the 9 of Av (Tisha B’Av).
At least two other noteworthy observances take place during Av. The date of Aaron’s death, which is explicitly stated in Torah (Numbers 33:38), is commemorated on the first of Av. The 15 of Av (Tu B’Av) is a minor holiday celebrating love similar to Valentine’s Day and is considered a great day for weddings.
PRAYERS
From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur”:
FOR OUR COUNTRY p.516
THUS SAYS ADONAI, This is what I desire: to unlock the fetters of wickedness, and untie the cords of lawlessness; to let the oppressed go free, to break off every yoke. Share your bread with the hungry, and take the wretched poor into your home. When you see the naked, give clothing, and do not ignore your own kin.
O GUARDIAN of life and liberty, may our nation always merit Your protection. Teach us to give thanks for what we have by sharing it with those who are in need. Keep our eyes open to the wonders of creation, and alert to the care of the earth. May we never be lazy in the work of peace; may we honor those who have [served, suffered or] died in defense of our ideals. Grant our leaders wisdom and forbearance. May they govern with justice and compassion. Help us all to appreciate one another, and to respect the many ways that we may serve You. May our homes be safe from affliction and strife, and our country be sound in body and spirit. Amen.
FOR HEALING
We recite MI SHEBËRACH for the victims of abuse, brutality, conflicts, fear, natural disasters, pandemics, tragedies, violence especially against all minority communities including us, and war; for all those at home alone or lonely; for all those in need of physical, emotional, and mental healing. “R’fuah sh’lëmah” – a complete recovery!
YAHRZEITS/ANYOS
We say KADDISH YATOM for those of our friends and families who have died and been buried this last week; those in the period of Sh’loshim (30 days since burial); those who have died in the last year; and those whose Yahrzeits/Anyos occur at this time; as well as the victims of brutality, conflict, disease, natural disasters, pandemics, tragedies, violence of all kinds, and war.
This coming week, the 8th through the 14th of Av, we lovingly remember:
Doris Alexander
TKH Memorial Board, Mother of Holly Sickles
Arnold Funkes
Father of Cynthia Funkes
Rishon ben Yosef
Brother of Ruben Gomez
Ceil Kolber
Mother of Jane Kolber
Jeannette Lockhart
Donor of Organ to TKH
Those victims of the Sho’ah (Holocaust) who died at this time of year.
“ZICHRONAM LIV’RACHAH” – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE FOR BLESSING.
TORAH STUDY AND SHAZOOM
We will meet as usual at the regular times for Torah Study and Shazoom this evening, Friday, July 16, 2021.
Zoom continues updating its security and performance features. Making sure you have the latest version of Zoom, please join us online this evening:
Topic: Torah Study – Triennial Reading Deut. 2:2-2:30
Time: July 16, 2021 06:00 PM Arizona
and/or
Shazoom – Erev Shabbat Service
Time: July 16, 2021 07:30 PM Arizona
To join the Torah Study and/or Shazoom click on the following link [you may need to copy it into your browser]: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/72510500854?pwd=Z3VQZWF4U1BBZytNYmh3aHFTWkFDZz09
Meeting ID: 725 1050 0854
Passcode: 4NrMk0
Hint: The last character of the password is the number zero.
Shabbat Shalom – Buen Shabbat!
-Ruben