Jewish Religion

In this week’s Torah reading, Eikev, we are commanded to go in the ways of Hashem and to “cling to Him.” How are we to cling to what we just learned last week in Va’eschanan 4:24 is, figuratively, an “all-consuming fire”? The Sifri tells us we are to do so by clinging to and learning from Talmidei Chachamim, those wise, learned people who have vast Torah knowledge. It is a mitzvah to use our learning from Talmidei Chachamim, those who’ve spent many years refining themselves, the Mesilas Yesharim teaches us, particularly when it comes to our personal growth. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

Well, here we are on this Shabbat Nachamu reminding us that in just seven weeks we’ll be celebrating Rosh Hashana. This “Sabbath of comforting,” from the haftarah in the Book of Isaiah, we read, Nachamu, nachamu ami “Comfort, comfort my people,” and we have the first of the seven haftorot, Sheva deNechamata, of consolation helping us prepare psychologically and spiritually for the holiday of Rosh Hashana. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

Let’s begin at the beginning of this week’s parasha, which we read on the Shabbos before Tisha B’Av every year, and look at the first words of the Torah reading, “These are the words which Moshe spoke unto all of Israel across the Jordan…” Yes, Moshe spoke his words to ALL Jews, not just those alive then, but to all, including us today. When we read this parasha, Moshe is speaking directly to me and you. This makes Devarim a particularly human parasha, one in which Moshe establishes a quite personal relationship with each of us. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]