Parashat Ha’azinu – The greatness of Moses

This week, we read the second last parashat in the Torah. As we read the Torah’s closing chapters, we see Moses take a different course. Until now, Moses has either taught or re-taught G-d’s commandments, or rebuked the people for their misdeeds. In this week’s portion, Moses breaks into song.

This is not the first time that Moses sings; the most famous being Shir Ha’Yam, Song by the Sea, which Moses lead the people in singing after crossing the Sea of Reads. That song was in response to seeing a miracle of unparalleled greatness; it was a song of religious ecstasy. But the generation that sang with Moses at the Sea is now dead, and Moses knows he will soon follow. In that light, it seems like a strange time to sing. But there in lies the greatness of Moses.

Give ear, O you heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass. Because I will proclaim the name of the Lord; ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are justice; a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deut 32:1-4)

Here, Moses refers to G-d as “the Rock”, while not uncommon, if we remember that Moses’ downfall came when he tried to get water from the rock, it seems all the more surprising that Moses would choose to use this term to describe G-d.

In his song, which is sung immediately preceding his death Moses completely accepts Divine justice: He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are justice; a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Instead of avoiding this painful topic, Moses addresses it head-on, displaying absolute acceptance of God and His will. This is yet another indication of the spiritual level which Moses achieves.

When a Jew hears good news, they praise G-d with a blessing ending with Ha’Tov vHa’Metiv – who is good and does good. When we hear bad news we say the blessing ending with daan v’emet – the True Judge. The sages teach us that we are suppose to pronounce each of these blessings with equal enthusiasm, because in both cases we recognize G-d as the source of all and completely accept Divine judgment. Most of us find it very hard to do this – it takes a man of Moses’ level to be able to do it.

Shabbat Shalom