Torah Portion
Divine Thoughts
Return, repentance, fulfillment of self.
is so striking about these verses is
that the entire section is in the sin-
gular, except those verses referring to
that which we in our ignorance
would mistakenly say (and that even
further emphasizes the singularity of
the truth). Each individual Jew will
yearn to reconcile and unite with his
loving Father. And the source of this
n this week's Torah portion, we
repentance, love and intimacy with
are presented with some of the
the Divine is within the individual
most beautiful verses of the
himself.
entire Torah. On this Shabbat
This vision of the ideal religious
preceding Rosh Hashanah,
communion is not the
these verses deal with the
result of religious coercion
theme of the season, name-
(which ultimately always
ly teshuva repentance (or
fails) nor does it depend
return).
upon the demand of con-
We are told
formity with the communi-
(Deuteronomy 30:244):
ty. Each Jew, no matter his
"And you will return to the
character or personality,
Lord your God and listen
will be able to fulfill him-
to His voice like all that I
self (rather than stifle his
command you today —
real being) in this very per-
you and your children —
RABBI ELIEZER
sonal return to God and
with all your heart and
COHEN
His Torah. The ultimate
with all of your being. And
Special to the
religious redemption of the
the Lord your God will cir-
Jewish News
Jewish people will be com-
cumcise your heart and the
pletely voluntary and will
hearts of your children to
enable each individual, as an indi-
love the Lord your God with all of
vidual, different from any other, to
your heart and with all of your being
fully observe the Torah and maxi-
in order that you may live. And you
mize his personal being.
will return and listen to the voice of
This ideal return to God and
the Lord and do all of His com-
observance of His Torah will result
mandments that I command you
in the ultimate fulfillment of the
today.
covenant of circumcision — not
"For the commandment that I
simply the mark upon our physical
command you today is not beyond
being —but the removal of any
you and not far from you. It is not
impediment preventing our very
(found) in the heavens, that you
soul's intimacy with the Divine. ❑
must say: 'Who will ascend for us t o
the heavens to get it for us and
(then) we will listen and do.' And it
is not (found) across the sea, that
you must say: 'Who will cross the
ocean for us and get it for us and
Why would anyone who is not
(then) we will listen and do it.'
observant want to accept Torah
Rather the matter is very close to
observance? Is it possible to con-
you — in your mouth and in your
nect with the Divine in the world
heart to do it."
in which we live? How? Why is
In these beautiful verses, the
religious coercion so prevalent in
Torah tells us that the Jewish people
human history? Does it work?
ultimately will sincerely and fully
Why
is absolute conformity such
return to God and His Torah. What
a priority in so many religious
communities? Is it beneficial?
Rabbi Eliezer Cohen is a spiritual
Shabbat Nitzavim:
Deuteronomy
29:9-30:20;
Isaiah 61:10-63:9.
I
Z,4
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Meer
Recipients of the Torah Builder Award
Mr. Sandy Eisenberg
Recipient of the Community Chesed Award
Conversations
leader of Congregation Or Ch. adash.
Burton Manor, Livonia Michigan
For more information please call
Akiva Hebrew Day School 248-386-1625
innnn nnito
Best Wishes for a
Happy and Healthy New Year
9/14
2001
1137