Monotheism and the Problem of Truth
"You shall have no other gods beside Me!" This is the first of Aseret HaDib'rot, literally the "Ten Declarations" or "Ten Commandments" found in this week's parashah, Va-et'chanan (see Deuteronomy 5:2-18; we recited a slightly different version earlier in the year in Parashat Yitro, Exodus, chapter 20). Aseret HaDib'rot lays out the central terms of an exclusive covenant between God and Israel. After a brief prologue in which God self-identifies as the One who freed Israel from Egyptian bondage, the first declaration occurs in the form of a command that Israel take no other gods in addition to the God of Israel: "You shall have no other gods beside Me!"
If Then, You Really Listen and Heed My Commandments
"V'haya im shamoa — If then, you listen, yes, you really heed My commandments that I enjoin upon you this day, loving the Eternal your God and serving [God] with all your heart and soul, I will grant the rain for your land in its season. . . . "
This section of our Torah portion is known as V'haya im Shamoa, and is included in the daily and Shabbat morning service in traditional prayer books right after the Shema and V'ahavta prayers. Reform siddurim omit it, perhaps it because it feels a bit simplistic. The message seems to contradict our understanding of nature and weather: if you obey God's commandments nature will be good to you, but if you stray and serve other gods the Eternal will punish you through acts of nature.
Torah and Taliban: Is There Something in Common?
In a particularly graphic moment, one of the instructions received in our weekly reading is "...to destroy all the sites at which the nations you are to dispossess worshiped their gods, whether on lofty mountains and on hills or under any luxuriant tree. Tear down their altars, smash their pillars, put their sacred posts to the fire, and cut down the images of their gods, obliterating their name from that site" (Deuteronomy 12:2-3). This is a clear directive to destroy all the sites at which the native Canaanites worshipped throughout the sacred Land of Israel.
Listen to Your Prophets . . . But Don’t Be Deceived!
Our parashah this week raises a very interesting question about prophets and prophecy. It also raises an important issue about how to relate to other forms of monotheism. In Deuteronomy 18 God speaks to Moses about the people of Israel with these words: "I will raise up for them from among their own people a prophet like yourself, in whose mouth I will put My words and who will speak to them all that I command; and anybody who fails to heed the words [the prophet] speaks in My name, I Myself will call to account" (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).
B'midbar for Teens: Shabbat Sha-raps
In this parasha, God commands Moses to take a census of all the Israelite males over the age of twenty as well as firstborns. Each tribe is assigned specific places in the camp around the Tabernacle (the altar). The sons of Levi are counted and their responsibilities are set forth. Listen as the laws for the priests and Kohens are given.
D'varim for Teens: Shabbat Sha-raps
In this parasha, Moses recaps the physical journey the Israelites underwent, and reflects on the reports of the spies. Joshua will become the next leader. Listen to other reflections from Moses.
Noach for Teens: Shabbat Sha-raps
In this week’s parasha, Noah is told by God to make an ark before a big flood. He is told to gather animals two by two and bring them aboard, along with his family. After the flood, God promises never to destroy God's people again, and the generations that are born are listed. Listen now to hear these names and to find out what happens when people try to build a tower to the sky!
Naso for Teens: Shabbat Sha-raps
God is taking roll call in this parasha – God tells Moses to take a census, and more laws are detailed.
B'haalot'cha for Teens: Shabbat Sha-raps
In this parasha, God speaks to Moses, describing the menorah for the Tent of Meeting. The Levites are appointed to serve as assistants under Aaron and his sons. A cloud by day and fire by night show God's Presence over the Tabernacle (altar). When the cloud lifts from the Tabernacle, the people leave Sinai, setting out on their journey, tribe by tribe. Listen to the Sha-rap to learn about the troubles they have on this journey.
Sh'lach L'cha for Teens: Shabbat Sha-raps
In this parasha, Moses sends twelve spies to the Land of Israel to report on the inhabitants and the country, but their reports aren’t completely truthful. To punish the people, God announces that all those who left Egypt would not enter the Land of Israel except for Joshua and Caleb.