{"id":51780,"date":"2018-07-09T17:42:06","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T14:42:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-183\/"},"modified":"2022-10-18T08:12:45","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T05:12:45","slug":"wall-183","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-183\/","title":{"rendered":"chapter-Torah-Deuteronomy-30"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"chapter","wall_id":"183","date":"20260512","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","books_group":"Torah","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"51866","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"1","name":"Deuteronomy 30 - Judy Hammond ","post_title":"Deuteronomy 30 - Judy Hammond","slug":"deuteronomy-30-judy-hammond","old_id":"51866","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34686,"post_title":"Soundcloud","slug":"soundcloud","old_id":"34686","first_name":"","last_name":"","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34656,"alt":"","title":"491","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","width":300,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium_large-width":300,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","large-width":300,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","1536x1536-width":300,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","2048x2048-width":300,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","post_full_size-width":300,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","home_baner-width":300,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"183","type_929":"4","show_author_image":true,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"The Audio Bible","tile_main_caption":"Deuteronomy 30","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"read by Judy Hammond","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/929-bible\/deuteronomy-chapter-30-read-by-judy-hammond","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":2,"id":"108627","color":"#effaea","size":"2","name":"Hakhel: How The Torah Ends The Shmita Year ","post_title":"Hakhel: How The Torah Ends The Shmita Year","slug":"hakhel-how-the-torah-ends-the-shmita-year","old_id":"108627","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":108625,"post_title":"Yonah Berman","slug":"yonah-berman","old_id":"108625","first_name":"Yonah ","last_name":"Berman ","description":"Rabbi Yonah Berman serves as Dean of Rabbinic Initiatives of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT). He loves learning and teaching Torah and has brought a variety of topics to various institutions in both the Orthodox and pluralistic worlds. \r\n","short_description":"Rabbi Yonah Berman serves as Dean of Rabbinic Initiatives of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT). ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":108626,"alt":"","title":"-634a8802673da--634a8802673dbYonah_Berman.jpg","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/634a8802673da-634a8802673dbYonah_Berman.jpg.jpg","width":446,"height":445,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/634a8802673da-634a8802673dbYonah_Berman.jpg-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/634a8802673da-634a8802673dbYonah_Berman.jpg-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/634a8802673da-634a8802673dbYonah_Berman.jpg.jpg","medium_large-width":446,"medium_large-height":445,"large":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/634a8802673da-634a8802673dbYonah_Berman.jpg.jpg","large-width":446,"large-height":445,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/634a8802673da-634a8802673dbYonah_Berman.jpg.jpg","1536x1536-width":446,"1536x1536-height":445,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/634a8802673da-634a8802673dbYonah_Berman.jpg.jpg","2048x2048-width":446,"2048x2048-height":445,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/634a8802673da-634a8802673dbYonah_Berman.jpg.jpg","post_full_size-width":446,"post_full_size-height":445,"home_baner":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/634a8802673da-634a8802673dbYonah_Berman.jpg-421x420.jpg","home_baner-width":421,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"183","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Joining together with our People, and remembering a place and time before we had our own land, we are being called to maintain the sanctity of humanity and creation\r\n\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

The final parsha in the Torah, <\/span>V\u2019zot Habracha<\/span><\/i>, is unique in that it is not read on a regular Shabbat. Rather, this third-shortest parsha, containing only 41 verses, is read on Simchat Torah as part of our celebrations concluding - and immediately restarting - the annual Torah reading cycle. It recounts blessings by Moses to the various tribes of Israel, his death overlooking the Land of Israel (which he was destined not to enter), and the Children of Israel\u2019s mourning for our greatest leader.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It is actually right now and specifically this year that we are commanded to fulfill a unique and particularly beautiful mitzvah: <\/span>Hakhel<\/span><\/em>. Parshat Vayelech, which we read two weeks ago, instructs us to gather in Jerusalem during Sukkot following the conclusion of shmita (Deut. 31:12):<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gather the nation: men, women and children and the stranger in your midst, so that they shall hear and so that they shall learn; and be in awe of God and keep all of the words and actions of this Torah.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In other words, once every seven years, the entire nation is to gather together as one at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to hear the words of the Torah. Many have pointed out how the commandment of <\/span>Hakhel<\/span><\/em> (\u201cto gather\u201d) is a re-enactment of the revelation at Mt. Sinai. Just as all Jews were present for the giving of the Torah at Sinai, all Jews are commanded to join together to hear highlights of the Torah in Jerusalem. This is a beautiful way to remind everyone in the entire nation of its shared history, and of a shared obligation to remain loyal to the Torah and to one another.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

While the formal\u00a0 mitzvah of Hakhel is not practiced today, <\/span>various groups<\/span><\/a> have attempted to re-enact it with modern flair, even including Israel\u2019s President and official Chief Rabbis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Perhaps there is added significance in the fact that <\/span>Hakhel<\/span><\/em> takes place at the end of the shmita year. We have spent the past year focusing on our responsibility to those whom we may forget during our everyday lives. It is too easy to ignore the plight of those who are less fortunate than ourselves, and it is too convenient to try and look past the negative impact our everyday behaviors can have on the environment. Yet by joining together with every member of our People, and by remembering a place and time before we had our own land, we are being called to maintain a sense of consciousness for the sanctity of humanity and creation. We are also given the opportunity to better preserve and protect God\u2019s creations and God\u2019s world.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The shmita year is officially over! This is the last post in this series. Shmita means a sabbatical year for the Earth but also for ourselves, our communities, and our world. Each week we continue to share thoughts on how the weekly parsha can help guide our thinking around shmita themes of work and rest, wealth and debt, responsible land use, fair labor practices, private and public property ownership, and physical and spiritual revitalization.<\/em><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":81608,"alt":"","title":"shmita","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","width":711,"height":708,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","medium_large-width":711,"medium_large-height":708,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","large-width":711,"large-height":708,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","1536x1536-width":711,"1536x1536-height":708,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","2048x2048-width":711,"2048x2048-height":708,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","post_full_size-width":711,"post_full_size-height":708,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-422x420.jpg","home_baner-width":422,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"A Weekly Series: The \"Shmitah Parasha\" Blog (The End!)","tile_main_caption":"Hakhel: How The Torah Ends The Shmita Year","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"in conjunction with Hazon.org","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":81608,"alt":"","title":"shmita","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","width":711,"height":708,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","medium_large-width":711,"medium_large-height":708,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","large-width":711,"large-height":708,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","1536x1536-width":711,"1536x1536-height":708,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","2048x2048-width":711,"2048x2048-height":708,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","post_full_size-width":711,"post_full_size-height":708,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-422x420.jpg","home_baner-width":422,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"360","name":"Nature\/Environment","old_id":"760"},{"term_id":"368","name":"Parasha","old_id":"768"},{"term_id":"494","name":"Shmita","old_id":"894"}]},{"order":3,"id":"108646","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Not In The Heavens! ","post_title":"Not In The Heavens!","slug":"not-in-the-heavens","old_id":"108646","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":78133,"post_title":"Josh Blechner","slug":"josh-blechner","old_id":"78133","first_name":"Josh ","last_name":"Blechner ","description":"Josh first finished the Tanach during Yeshiva in Mevaseret Zion. He and his daughter studied the Tanach again for her bat mitzvah. Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group. When not studying for 929, Josh works as an in-house lawyer in New Jersey.","short_description":"Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group, and is an in-house attorney in New Jersey. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":78134,"alt":"","title":"josh blechner","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","width":276,"height":351,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-236x300.jpg","medium-width":236,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","medium_large-width":276,"medium_large-height":351,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","large-width":276,"large-height":351,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","1536x1536-width":276,"1536x1536-height":351,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","2048x2048-width":276,"2048x2048-height":351,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","post_full_size-width":276,"post_full_size-height":351,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","home_baner-width":276,"home_baner-height":351}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"183","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"One of the most poetic passages in the Torah\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

The Talmud in Bava Metzia 59b discusses a dispute between Rabbi Eleazar and Rabbi Yehoshua over the impurity status of a certain type of oven. Rabbi Eleazar was insistent that his opinion was correct. He called out and said if my opinion is right the stream should change directions, and it did. He also said a voice should come out from heaven to say I am correct, and a voice came out from heaven. Rabbi Yehoshua stood up and called out a quote from 30:12 \u201cIt is not in the Heavens!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

What he meant was that God had given these laws to his people, and with them God decreed that a person should follow the majority and the legal authority. Therefore, if most rabbis held something was one way, then it did not matter if God allegedly \u201csays otherwise.\u201d God gave these laws to his people to interpret and study and follow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

But there is another way to look at this verse. Picture this. You just spent forty years wandering around in the desert so that older generations would die off for a great sin they committed. The great leader, Moses, who can talk face to face with God is not coming with you. Moses has also laid out an entire book of laws that you need to follow, many of them at the punishment of death. No other nation around you follows such laws, let alone from one God. Does this God expect you to be perfect? How can you possibly accomplish this? Moses has an answer for that in one of the most poetic passages in the Torah:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It is not in the heavens, that you should say, \u2018Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?\u2019 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, \u2018Who among us can cross to the other side of the sea and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?\u2019 No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it (verses 12-14).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

These laws may seem daunting when taken as a whole, but Moses reminds the people that they are attainable. God did not set out something for angels, nor did he set out something that requires an Odyssean quest to achieve. Everything in the Torah people can do as long as they have the right mindset. Think it is too much, and it will be as far away as an ancient land. However, realize that eating kosher is right there on your lips, or being kind to the stranger lives in your heart, and it is attainable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":84943,"alt":"","title":"ps68-heaven clouds","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds-300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds-768x432.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds-1024x576.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":576,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds-1200x675.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":675,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds-747x420.jpg","home_baner-width":747,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Not In The Heavens!","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"One of the most poetic passages in the Torah","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":84943,"alt":"","title":"ps68-heaven clouds","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds-300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds-768x432.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds-1024x576.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":576,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds-1200x675.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":675,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ps68-heaven-clouds-747x420.jpg","home_baner-width":747,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"374","name":"Humanity","old_id":"774"},{"term_id":"410","name":"Torah","old_id":"810"}]},{"order":4,"id":"52071","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Moses Begins His Farewell ","post_title":"Moses Begins His Farewell","slug":"moses-begins-his-farewell","old_id":"52071","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":49857,"post_title":"Tali Adler","slug":"tali-adler","old_id":"49857","first_name":"Tali ","last_name":"Adler","description":"Rabbi Tali Adler is a faculty member at Yeshivat Hadar, an egalitarian yeshiva on the Upper West Side. Tali is a musmekhet of Yeshivat Maharat and a Wexner Graduate Fellow. During her time at Yeshivat Maharat, Tali served as the clergy intern at Kehilat Rayim Ahuvim and Harvard Hillel. \r\n","short_description":"Rabbi Tali Adler is a faculty member at Yeshivat Hadar, an egalitarian yeshiva on the Upper West Side","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":49865,"alt":"","title":"tali adler","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tali-adler-1.jpg","width":165,"height":159,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tali-adler-1-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tali-adler-1.jpg","medium-width":165,"medium-height":159,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tali-adler-1.jpg","medium_large-width":165,"medium_large-height":159,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tali-adler-1.jpg","large-width":165,"large-height":159,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tali-adler-1.jpg","1536x1536-width":165,"1536x1536-height":159,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tali-adler-1.jpg","2048x2048-width":165,"2048x2048-height":159,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tali-adler-1.jpg","post_full_size-width":165,"post_full_size-height":159,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tali-adler-1.jpg","home_baner-width":165,"home_baner-height":159}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"183","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Do not think that when I die Torah dies with me","post_main_content_content":"

It is not in the heavens, that you should say, \u201cWho among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?\u201d Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, \u201cWho among us can cross to the other side of the sea and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

I can\u2019t read these words as anything but a coded goodbye.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Do not long for me. Do not think that when I die Torah dies with me.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Do not do what your parents did when I left them for so short a time\u2014do not assume you need another me to ascend to heaven as I did, to bring down the Torah once more. I went, and I returned, and it is yours now. I will be gone, but the Torah will remain.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

And do not be afraid to cross the water without me. Do not think that you are leaving the Torah here with me on this side of the Jordan. I have given you, in this speech, all I have left to tell you. You will cross the water, and I will stay here\u2014but the Torah goes with you. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

It is in your hearts and in your mouths. And it is that promise that will make it possible\u2014with tears, and sadness, and pain, but with strength and confidence as well\u2014to say goodbye.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

image: from\u00a0Moses Looks upon the Promised Land<\/em>, 1928, by Lesser 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\"Surely, this Instruction which I enjoin upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach. It is not in the heavens\u2026 Neither is it beyond the sea.. No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it\" (30:11-14).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

I have always loved these verses because of their connection to the famous Talmudic passage \"Tanur Shel Achnai,\" (\"Achnai's Oven\") which affirms the authority of rabbinic human interpretation as essential to the continued relevance of Jewish life. It was precisely my love for the world of the Beit Midrash - the tension found in Talmudic debate and dialogue - that originally propelled me to become a rabbi.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

For virtually all of Jewish history, Judaism has not only been interpreted by men but has also been male-centric. As a female rabbi, it has been a challenge to venture into a rabbinic world that is all too commonly void of women\u2019s voice. At times, this cognitive dissonance has required a great degree of denial, and reinterpreting pieces of Torah and Talmud. While navigating this male-dominant Jewish domain, carving out my own sacred space, I have all too often bumped up against the larger non-Jewish realm, which is equally inhospitable to my full self. Although none of this is new, in the last few years I have experienced deeper alienation from my Jewish tradition.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

And then, I come to this chapter of Torah, a chapter that sets out a choice we each are given to turn and return to this \u201cthing\u201d \u2013 Torah \u00a0- a choice to live with an open heart. This Torah, this way of life, is not \u201ctoo puzzling\u201d nor \u201cbeyond reach.\u201d One does not need to be ordained (let alone from a particular denomination), nor does one need to have studied for a particular length of time. Nor is it only for the devout, those wedded to Jewish law. It is there for those who spend their days responding to emails, settling disputes on the playground, or driving a taxi; for those who spend their evenings unloading groceries, making dinner, and loading the dishwasher.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cNeither is it beyond the sea\u201d speaks not just to those living in Israel. This Torah is to be interpreted throughout the world, across the multiple geographic places we find ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This Torah, this living tradition, \u201cis very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart.\u201d It is here, in me, in my feelings, in my thoughts, in my lived experience. It lives in the fullness of my womanhood in every bit as legitimate a way as anyone else in the world alive today or who has ever lived.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Perhaps when I internalize the Torah\u2019s words, when I truly experience it in my mouth and heart, am I able to unveil myself within my own tradition. Only then can I locate myself within my Judaism. Perhaps, only when I am able to unburden myself from millennia of the heaviness of male-centric exclusivity, can I find an opening in my heart to return and reclaim what is rightfully mine. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

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in Heaven but in Ourselves ","post_title":"Not In Heaven But In Ourselves","slug":"not-in-heaven-but-in-ourselves","old_id":"52080","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34243,"post_title":"Moshe Sokolow","slug":"moshe-sokolow","old_id":"34243","first_name":"Moshe","last_name":"Sokolow","description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University, and teaches a weekly class in parashat hashavu`a at Lincoln Square Synagogue. He is the author of TANAKH: An Owner\u2019s Manual (Jerusalem: Urim\/Ktav, 2015).\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34244,"alt":"","title":"sokolow","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","width":302,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","medium_large-width":302,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","large-width":302,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","1536x1536-width":302,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","2048x2048-width":302,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","post_full_size-width":302,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","home_baner-width":302,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"183","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"An anti-elitist view of study and tradition","post_main_content_content":"

A famous passage in the Talmud puts a verse in our chapter to significant use. Baba Metzia 59b reports on a disagreement concerning the status of a particular oven (<\/span>tanur shel akhnay<\/span><\/em>). Rabbi Eliezer marshaled several supports for his idiosyncratic position and each is refuted by Rabbi Yehoshua on behalf of the Sages. Finally, Rabbi Eliezer claimed that heaven will attest to his rightness and, indeed, a heavenly voice proclaimed \u201cWhy are you challenging Rabbi Eliezer whose view always prevails?\u201d Rabbi Yehoshua, citing the verse in question, retorts: \u201cIt [Torah] is not in heaven\u201d (Deut. 30:12).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Indeed, the conundrum of where Torah resides after its revelation at Sinai strikes at the heart of Jewish tradition. If the resolution of Torah questions remains in God\u2019s own hands (so to speak), then it is accessible to only those to whom God has entrusted it. That would seem to favor an elitist view of Torah study. However, if its provenance has been transferred, then it is reachable by anyone who seeks it, and that would support a more egalitarian approach.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The latter is favored by the plain meaning (<\/span>peshat<\/span><\/i>) of our verse, which is the prelude to the rhetorical question posed in its continuation: \u201cAs if to say, who would ascend for us to heaven, acquire it [Torah] for us, and proclaim it to us that we may practice it?\u201d The implicit answer, of course, is that since it is not in heaven, no special aptitude or permission is required for access. Rather, \u201cThe matter, indeed, is quite close to you; it is in the capacity of your speech and thoughts to carry it out\u201d (verse 13).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":52081,"alt":"","title":"dt30-torah+study","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","width":258,"height":196,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","medium-width":258,"medium-height":196,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","medium_large-width":258,"medium_large-height":196,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","large-width":258,"large-height":196,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","1536x1536-width":258,"1536x1536-height":196,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","2048x2048-width":258,"2048x2048-height":196,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","post_full_size-width":258,"post_full_size-height":196,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","home_baner-width":258,"home_baner-height":196}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Not In Heaven But In Ourselves","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"An anti-elitist view of study and tradition","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":52081,"alt":"","title":"dt30-torah+study","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","width":258,"height":196,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","medium-width":258,"medium-height":196,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","medium_large-width":258,"medium_large-height":196,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","large-width":258,"large-height":196,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","1536x1536-width":258,"1536x1536-height":196,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","2048x2048-width":258,"2048x2048-height":196,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","post_full_size-width":258,"post_full_size-height":196,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-torahstudy.jpg","home_baner-width":258,"home_baner-height":196}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"410","name":"Torah","old_id":"810"},{"term_id":"628","name":"Democracy","old_id":"1028"},{"term_id":"775","name":"Study","old_id":"1175"}]},{"order":7,"id":"52055","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Turn and Return ","post_title":"Turn And Return","slug":"turn-and-return","old_id":"52055","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":50685,"post_title":"Cheryl Peretz","slug":"cheryl-peretz","old_id":"50685","first_name":"Cheryl ","last_name":"Peretz ","description":"Based in Los Angeles, Rabbi Cheryl Peretz serves as the Associate Dean of both the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and of the Zacharias Frankel College. Rabbi Peretz known as a frequent speak and scholar-in-residence in communities throughout North America.","short_description":"Rabbi Cheryl Peretz serves as the Associate Dean of both the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and of the Zacharias Frankel College.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":50686,"alt":"","title":"Faculty Portraits","caption":"Cheryl Peretz","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cheryl-peretz.jpg","width":2960,"height":4149,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cheryl-peretz-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cheryl-peretz-214x300.jpg","medium-width":214,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cheryl-peretz-731x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":731,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cheryl-peretz-731x1024.jpg","large-width":731,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cheryl-peretz.jpg","1536x1536-width":1096,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cheryl-peretz.jpg","2048x2048-width":1461,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cheryl-peretz-856x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":856,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/cheryl-peretz-300x420.jpg","home_baner-width":300,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"183","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"It is never beyond reach","post_main_content_content":"

Knowing that his life\u2019s journey will end before the people enter the land of Israel, the chapter opens as Moses gathers the people for one final address - a beautiful, poetic, and moving description of return to the covenant with God through Torah along with a parallel return from exile to the land of Israel. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

The passage continues (v. 11-12), \u201c<\/span>For this mitzvah which I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach<\/span>.\u201d \u2018<\/span>It is not in heaven<\/span>,\u2019 and \u2018<\/span>it is not too baffling<\/span>.\u2019 This command - whatever it is \u2013 is right in front of us and is easy to grasp.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This mitzvah? In the singular? Shouldn\u2019t it say all the mitzvot? What about the rest of the Torah? Which mitzvah are we talking about? <\/span><\/p>\r\n

For 13<\/span>th<\/span> century Spanish commentator, Nachmanides, the answer is easy. He points out that the verb <\/span>lashuv <\/span><\/em>\u2013 to return \u2013 the same root as the word <\/span>teshuvah<\/span><\/em>, repentance<\/span> - appears again and again. In fact, there are seven different instances of the word, referring both to the Jewish people returning to God and God\u2019s word, as well as God approaching and bringing us back to the land of Israel. Consequently, Ramban understands this drama of loss\/return and exile\/redemption as the essence of the commandment to do teshuvah; to repent, to mend our ways, to assess and improve our behavior. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

To do teshuvah is more than simply recounting wrongdoings or begging for leniency from others or God. Rather, says Ramban, actions and misactions are both part of who we are. Missteps are acts done when we are locating ourselves in a place other than home. The Hebrew words for these misactions support this understanding. <\/span>Chet<\/span><\/i> (sin) is best understood \u201cto miss a target.\u201d <\/span>Averah<\/span><\/i>, like the English word \u201ctransgression,\u201d means \u201cto cross a boundary, to enter forbidden territory, to be in a place one should not be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In our most honest of moments, we know that sometimes our actions do alienate us, distancing us from ourselves, others, and God, leaving us in a place different than we would like to be or even should be. We become like aliens, living in a land that is no longer our own. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

With this insight, it is not so difficult to see the Torah\u2019s image of exile as the extreme outcome of such misaction. But, we don\u2019t have to stay there. Through honest engagement, we make possible new decisions, new behavior that returns us to the intrinsic purity of soul. And, we play out our own return to God. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cFor this mitzvah which I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.\u201d \u2018it is not in heaven,\u2019 and \u2018it is not too baffling.\u2019 \u00a0This command, whatever it is, is in your grasp and is right in front of you. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Now is the time and the invitation is ours. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":52056,"alt":"","title":"dt30-return","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Turn And Return","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"It is never beyond reach","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":52056,"alt":"","title":"dt30-return","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-return-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"571","name":"Repentance","old_id":"971"},{"term_id":"699","name":"Teshuvah","old_id":"1099"}]},{"order":8,"id":"52050","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"The Accessibility of Torah \u2013 Then and Now ","post_title":"The Accessibility Of Torah \u2013 Then And Now","slug":"the-accessibility-of-torah-then-and-now","old_id":"52050","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33877,"post_title":"Marc Bregman","slug":"marc-bregman","old_id":"33877","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Bregman","description":"Marc Bregman received his Ph.D. from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991. He taught at the Hebrew Union College (Jerusalem), The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Schechter Institute for Judaic Studies in Jerusalem, and at the Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheba, Israel. During 1993 he was Visiting Associate Professor at Yale University, and during 1996 he was the Stroum Professor of Jewish Studies and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle. During 2005, Bregman served as the Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica at Harvard University and was awarded a Teaching Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He also has served as Forchheimer Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Humanities at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Tanhuma-Yelammedenu Literature: Studies in the Evolution of the Versions (Gorgias Press, 2003). In 2006, Bregman was appointed the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, where he also headed the program in Jewish Studies, until 2013. Bregman retired from UNCG as of July 31, 2017. He has now returned to Jerusalem where he is continuing his research and teaching activities.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Marc Bregman is the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies emeritus, at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33878,"alt":"Marc Bregman","title":"Marc Bregman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","width":361,"height":488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-222x300.jpg","medium-width":222,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","medium_large-width":361,"medium_large-height":488,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","large-width":361,"large-height":488,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","1536x1536-width":361,"1536x1536-height":488,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","2048x2048-width":361,"2048x2048-height":488,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","post_full_size-width":361,"post_full_size-height":488,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-311x420.jpg","home_baner-width":311,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"183","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"The wisdom of learning one chapter a day\u2026","post_main_content_content":"

In the first part of our chapter, Moses addresses the Israelites as if they are already in Exile and looking forward to a return to the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 30:1-9). This restoration will occur \u201cif you will heed the Lord your God, to keep His commandments\u2026\u201d (verse 10). There follows a remarkable declaration of the accessibility of Torah: \u201cFor this Commandment, that I am commanding you today, is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven that you might ask, \u2018Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us, so we may obey it?\u2019 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you might ask, \u2018Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us, so we may obey it?\u2019 For the word is very near to you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so you may obey it\u201d (verses 11-14). <\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Midrash (Deuteronomy Rabbah 8:3) elaborates on the accessibility of Torah in a series of dramatic narratives: Rabbi Tanhuma said: An ignoramus enters a synagogue and sees people engaged in the give and take of Talmudic study. Having no idea what they are talking about, he is too embarrassed to say anything, as it says: \u201cWisdom is too lofty for a fool. He does not open his mouth in the gate\u201d (Proverbs 24:7). \u00a0The Rabbis say: An ignoramus enters a synagogue and sees people engaged in learning Torah. He asks them: How does one begin to learn Torah? They answer him: First a man reads from a scroll [used by pupils to acquire basic literacy]. Then he reads from the Book [of Torah], and then the Prophets, and then from the Writings. And after he has finished learning Scripture, he learns Talmud, and then Halakhot, and then Aggadot. When the one asking about how to begin to learn hears this, he says to himself: \u00a0When would I be able to learn all this? And he turns back from the entrance to the synagogue. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rabbi Yannai said: To what may this be compared? To a loaf of bread that was high up out of reach. The ignoramus asks: Who could possibly bring it down? But the astute person says: Someone must have put it up there. So, he then brings a ladder or a pole and brings it down. Similarly, anyone who is ignorant might ask: When would I manage to read the whole Torah? But what does the astute person do? He learns one chapter each and every day until he finishes having read the entire Torah.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In our day, Torah learning is again not out of reach to anyone who wants to learn \u2013 even just one chapter a day!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

image: Old Dushanbe Synagogue entrance, by Zlerman - wikimedia.org<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":52051,"alt":"","title":"dt30-Synagogue_Entrance","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance.jpg","width":800,"height":600,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance-300x225.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance-768x576.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":576,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance.jpg","large-width":800,"large-height":600,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance.jpg","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":600,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance.jpg","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":600,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance.jpg","post_full_size-width":800,"post_full_size-height":600,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance-560x420.jpg","home_baner-width":560,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Accessibility Of Torah \u2013 Then And Now","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"The wisdom of learning one chapter a day\u2026","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":52051,"alt":"","title":"dt30-Synagogue_Entrance","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance.jpg","width":800,"height":600,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance-300x225.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance-768x576.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":576,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance.jpg","large-width":800,"large-height":600,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance.jpg","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":600,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance.jpg","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":600,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance.jpg","post_full_size-width":800,"post_full_size-height":600,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-Synagogue_Entrance-560x420.jpg","home_baner-width":560,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"363","name":"Midrash","old_id":"763"},{"term_id":"410","name":"Torah","old_id":"810"},{"term_id":"730","name":"Learning","old_id":"1130"}]},{"order":9,"id":"52086","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Accessible, Achievable, Inspirational ","post_title":"Accessible, Achievable, Inspirational","slug":"accessible-achievable-inspirational","old_id":"52086","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":46656,"post_title":"Molly Morris","slug":"molly-morris","old_id":"46656","first_name":"Molly ","last_name":"Morris ","description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Her particular area of interest is biblical leadership. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":92561,"alt":"","title":"molly morris","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","width":2192,"height":2488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-264x300.jpg","medium-width":264,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-768x872.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":872,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-902x1024.jpg","large-width":902,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","1536x1536-width":1353,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","2048x2048-width":1804,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-1057x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1057,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-370x420.jpg","home_baner-width":370,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"183","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"A message that\u2019s meant to go straight to the heart","post_main_content_content":"

Moses spends his last day of life giving the Israelites his final message. And in Chapter 30, although the language is presented in prose, it waxes very poetic as Moses describes the accessibility of the Torah to each of the Israelites:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cIt is not hidden\u2026<\/span>
\r\n<\/span> It is not distant\u2026<\/span>
\r\n<\/span> Not in the heavens\u2026.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span> Nor across the sea.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span> It is very near to you,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span> In your mouth and in your heart.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span> Choose life, to love God.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Or HaChaim notes two factors that contribute to a failure to keep the commandments of the Torah:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \r\n\t
  1. Not knowing what the commandments are; and<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  2. The difficulties inherent in keeping them.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    While the Or HaChaim makes a case for the accessibility statements erasing any excuses the Israelites might have for failing in their Torah observance, this poetic homily also serves as an example of how a leader motivates a followership to action: through encouragement and a statement of belief in a successful outcome. Essentially Moses is telling the Israelites that this mission is achievable, it\u2019s within their grasp, if only they choose to accept it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    This inspirational passage provides direction on where the Torah does not reside - it is not out of reach; and where the Torah is \u2013 \u201cin your mouth and in your heart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    What is absent is any reference to the Torah\u2019s presence in our minds. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

    The acceptance and enactment of the commandments from God is not meant to be a cerebral exercise. It is meant to be internalized, embedded in our hearts. And only then, will we effectively have made the choice for life, for ourselves and the generations to come. It is the internalization of Torah, not the mere study of its words, that we will pass on to our children. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

    As R. Moshe Feinstein says, \u201cIf we study the Torah and carry it out with joy and pride (from our hearts), the example will carry over to others.\u201d And through his choice of words, Moses ensures that we know the objective and that it can be reached.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":52087,"alt":"","title":"dt30-bible-heart","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart.jpg","width":1920,"height":1271,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart-300x199.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":199,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart-768x508.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":508,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart-1024x678.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":678,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1017,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1271,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart-1200x794.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":794,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart-634x420.jpg","home_baner-width":634,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Accessible, Achievable, Inspirational","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"A message that\u2019s meant to go straight to the heart","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":52087,"alt":"","title":"dt30-bible-heart","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart.jpg","width":1920,"height":1271,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart-300x199.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":199,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart-768x508.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":508,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart-1024x678.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":678,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1017,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1271,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart-1200x794.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":794,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-bible-heart-634x420.jpg","home_baner-width":634,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"410","name":"Torah","old_id":"810"},{"term_id":"447","name":"Heart","old_id":"847"},{"term_id":"652","name":"Commandments","old_id":"1052"}]},{"order":10,"id":"52061","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"\u201cIt Is Not In Heaven\u201d - Nor Are We ","post_title":"\u201cIt Is Not In Heaven\u201d - Nor Are We","slug":"it-is-not-in-heaven-nor-are-we","old_id":"52061","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33923,"post_title":"Jonathan Sacks","slug":"rabbi-lord-jonathan-sacks","old_id":"33923","first_name":"Jonathan ","last_name":"Sacks","description":"An international religious leader, philosopher, and award-winning author of over 35 books, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks served as the International President of 929.\r\nRabbi Sacks served as the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth years between 1991 and 2013, and was knighted by Her Majesty The Queen in 2005 and made a Life Peer. Rabbi Sacks passed away on 7th November 2020, aged 72. He was one of the greatest Jewish thinkers of the 20th century, who bridged the religious and secular world through his ground-breaking canon of work.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"short_description":"Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z\"k (1948-2020) was the former Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth, and the International 929 president.","link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":36222,"alt":"","title":"JSacks","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594.jpg","width":437,"height":548,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594-239x300.jpg","medium-width":239,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-768x448.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":448,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-1024x597.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":597,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594.jpg","1536x1536-width":437,"1536x1536-height":548,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594.jpg","2048x2048-width":437,"2048x2048-height":548,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594.jpg","post_full_size-width":437,"post_full_size-height":548,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594-335x420.jpg","home_baner-width":335,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"183","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"We may be no more than an image, a faint reflection, of God himself, but we are no less","post_main_content_content":"

    \u2018The Torah speaks in the language of human beings\u2019 said Rabbi Ishmael, \u00a0meaning, it is addressed to us within the parameters of our understanding. \u2018It is not in heaven\u2019, said Moses at the end of his life, \u2018nor is it beyond the sea\u2019 (Deut. 30: 12-13). There is plenary truth in heaven; on earth, we live among its reflections and refractions. We could not understand God\u2019s justice without being gods ourselves. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

    God does not ask us to be anything other than we are, finite beings whose knowledge is limited, whose life-span is all too short, and whose horizons are circumscribed. It is within those limits that God asks us to create a justice we can understand: a human justice that may and must fall short of the divine but which is no less significant for that. For God, in creating us, gave our lives significance. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

    We may be no more than an image, a faint reflection, of God himself, but we are no less.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

     <\/p>\r\n

    To Heal a Fractured World<\/span>, p.27<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n

    Image by Johannes Plenio from Pixabay<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":52069,"alt":"","title":"dt30-heavens","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens.jpg","width":1920,"height":1079,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens-300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens-768x432.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens-1024x575.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":575,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":863,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1079,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens-1200x674.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":674,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens-747x420.jpg","home_baner-width":747,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"\u201cIt Is Not In Heaven\u201d - Nor Are We","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"We may be no more than an image, a faint reflection, of God himself, but we are no less","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":52069,"alt":"","title":"dt30-heavens","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens.jpg","width":1920,"height":1079,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens-300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens-768x432.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens-1024x575.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":575,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":863,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1079,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens-1200x674.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":674,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-heavens-747x420.jpg","home_baner-width":747,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"354","name":"Rabbi Sacks","old_id":"754"},{"term_id":"370","name":"Divine\/human","old_id":"770"}]},{"order":11,"id":"52075","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"\u05e0\u05d9\u05e6\u05d1\u05d9\u05dd - Nitzavim ","post_title":"\u05e0\u05d9\u05e6\u05d1\u05d9\u05dd - Nitzavim","slug":"%d7%a0%d7%99%d7%a6%d7%91%d7%99%d7%9d-nitzavim","old_id":"52075","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":42650,"post_title":"Hillel Smith","slug":"hillel-smith","old_id":"42650","first_name":"Hillel ","last_name":"Smith ","description":"Hillel Smith is a graphic designer, marketing consultant, illustrator, and artist based in Los Angeles and Washington DC. 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    For millennia, philosophers, theologians and other astute observers have debated the nature of free will. Some see it as the essence of the human experience. Others relegate it to the dustbin of delusion. It is a moral burden and an exalted opportunity, a hope for what\u2019s possible and a concession to our inherent limitations.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    The passage under consideration is one of the key tenets of the Western approach to free will in the context of faith. The benignly powerful Source of good lays before us a choice\u2014one that reflects our capacity for impactful decisions as much as God\u2019s voluntary relinquishing of power\u2014an act of <\/span>tzimtzum<\/span><\/em>, contraction, that carves out space for human potential and growth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Maimonides links this capacity to the very raison d\u2019etre of Torah:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    If God had decreed that a person should be either righteous or wicked, or if there were some force inherent in his nature which irresistibly drew him to a particular course, or to a special branch of knowledge, to special views or activities...What room would there be for the whole of Torah? By what right or justice could God punish the wicked or reward the righteous?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Torah is central to human life because it provides for both possibility and purpose. God is not an impartial referee, but rather hopes that we will choose the right path based on study and embrace of revelation. Yet, the choice must remain ours if we are to fully develop as people, emanating from a self-constraint that is Divine in its very scope and execution.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    God possesses insight into our choices, and yet, unlike us, is not swayed by that knowledge to intervene. May we use our God-given freedom responsibly, our accrued knowledge judiciously, and our gleaned wisdom for the betterment of something beyond ourselves, and thus merit a length of days for us and for our children.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":52059,"alt":"","title":"dt30-choice","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Choice Is Ours","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Choose life, that both you and your offspring might live","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":52059,"alt":"","title":"dt30-choice","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-choice-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"410","name":"Torah","old_id":"810"},{"term_id":"412","name":"Responsibility","old_id":"812"},{"term_id":"619","name":"Free Will","old_id":"1019"}]},{"order":13,"id":"52092","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Nitzavim: Choosing Life ","post_title":"Nitzavim: Choosing Life","slug":"nitzavim-choosing-life","old_id":"52092","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":46171,"post_title":"Avner Moriah","slug":"avner-moriah","old_id":"46171","first_name":"Avner ","last_name":"Moriah ","description":"Avner Moriah is a prolific Israel artist who has addressed a wide range of Jewish and Israeli themes during the four decades of his artistic journey. 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    Moses\u2019 resounding message is to heed God\u2019s laws and to obey them as the way to live one\u2019s life on the right path: \u201cSee, I set before you this day life and prosperity, death and adversity. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments\u201d (Deut. 30:15\u201316). Moses calls dramatically upon Heaven and Earth to be his witnesses for the message of free choice that the Torah offers the people. \u201cI have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life\u201d (Deut. 30:19). <\/span><\/p>\r\n

    How does the idea that man has the ability to freely \u201cchoose life,\u201d found here near the end of the Book of Deuteronomy, appear when viewed through the prism of concepts introduced so much earlier in the Book of Genesis?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Avner Moriah figures a man standing in front of a blue tree with green-leafed branches coming out of both sides of the trunk and extending to the top of the picture. The artist chose to symbolize the option of \u201clife and prosperity, death and adversity\u201d with an image that takes us back to the story of Creation and the Tree of Life. In Genesis we read:<\/span> \u201c....the Tree of Life in the middle of the garden, and the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil\u201d (Gen. 2:9).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    When God put Adam in the garden of Eden, He gave him free choice: \u201cOf every tree of the garden you are free to eat but as for the Tree of Knowledge of good and bad you must not eat of it, for as soon as you eat of it you shall die\u201d (Gen. 2:16\u201317). Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit, a story that is told at length in Genesis 3. When Adam defied God and ate from the Tree of Knowledge, God said: \u201cNow that the man has become like one of us, knowing good and bad, what if he should stretch out his hand and take also from the Tree of Life and eat and live forever?\u201d (Gen 3:22).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    In this visualization we see a man, figured without arms, standing next to a big tree, suggesting the Tree of Life, with a large mountain in the background (known in the ancient world as a symbol of the Cosmos), the absence of arms implying that he will not eat from the tree. Adam made a choice in connection with a tree, and once he made that first free choice, he was bound by it. From this we understand that from the moment that the first man made that first free choice his fate was determined. <\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":52093,"alt":"","title":"51 Nitsavim","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim.jpg","width":2001,"height":2500,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim-240x300.jpg","medium-width":240,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim-768x960.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":960,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim-820x1024.jpg","large-width":820,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim.jpg","1536x1536-width":1229,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim.jpg","2048x2048-width":1639,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim-960x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":960,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim-336x420.jpg","home_baner-width":336,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Nitzavim: Choosing Life","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"From the Eytz Chayim, New Tree of Life","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":52093,"alt":"","title":"51 Nitsavim","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim.jpg","width":2001,"height":2500,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim-240x300.jpg","medium-width":240,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim-768x960.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":960,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim-820x1024.jpg","large-width":820,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim.jpg","1536x1536-width":1229,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim.jpg","2048x2048-width":1639,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim-960x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":960,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/51-Nitsavim-336x420.jpg","home_baner-width":336,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"368","name":"Parasha","old_id":"768"},{"term_id":"369","name":"Visual Arts","old_id":"769"}]},{"order":14,"id":"52089","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"As Heaven And Earth Are My Witness! ","post_title":"As Heaven And Earth Are My Witness!","slug":"as-heaven-and-earth-are-my-witness","old_id":"52089","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":44114,"post_title":"Shalom Holtz","slug":"shalom-holtz","old_id":"44114","first_name":"Shalom ","last_name":"Holtz ","description":"Shalom E. Holtz is Professor of Bible at Yeshiva University. He is the author of numerous comparative studies of biblical and ancient Near Eastern law. His most recent book is Praying Legally (2019), which examines courtroom metaphors in Hebrew prayer. ","short_description":"Shalom E. Holtz is Professor of Bible at Yeshiva University.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":44115,"alt":"","title":"shalom holtz","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shalom-holtz.jpg","width":200,"height":200,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shalom-holtz-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shalom-holtz.jpg","medium-width":200,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shalom-holtz.jpg","medium_large-width":200,"medium_large-height":200,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shalom-holtz.jpg","large-width":200,"large-height":200,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shalom-holtz.jpg","1536x1536-width":200,"1536x1536-height":200,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shalom-holtz.jpg","2048x2048-width":200,"2048x2048-height":200,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shalom-holtz.jpg","post_full_size-width":200,"post_full_size-height":200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shalom-holtz.jpg","home_baner-width":200,"home_baner-height":200}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"183","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Ancient evidence of a desire for eternal validity","post_main_content_content":"

    In Deuteronomy 30:19, God once again declares, as God has already declared (in 4:26), \"I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day.\" To understand the role of these cosmic witnesses, we turn to the image above, a detail from the top, front side of one copy of the treaty imposed by the Assyrian king Esarhaddon upon his subjects in 672 BCE. The original image was produced by rolling a cylinder seal on the large clay tablet on which the treaty was recorded. According to the impressed cuneiform inscription, however, this is no ordinary cylinder seal. It is none other than the seal \"Belonging to (the god) Assur; that of the City Hall.\" Modern research informs us that the seal itself dates to the 19<\/span>th<\/span> century BCE and would have been kept in the \"city hall\" of the ancient Assyrian capital city, Assur. In other words, when the god Assur's cylinder seal was rolled across the middle of Esarhaddon's treaty, it was over 1000 years old! <\/span><\/p>\r\n

    In the world of Esarhaddon's treaty, the god Assur is a witness to the treaty between the human king and his subjects. This guarantees that the treaty would be eternally valid. Long after the king's own passing, there would be a divine witness to ensure that its terms were being kept. Moreover, the presence of the deity as a witness ensures his consent to bringing about the cosmic penalties for treaty violation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    In a parallel manner, God invokes the heaven and earth. In the biblical context, they are certainly not deities, but they are permanently present to witness God's treaty with Israel. \u00a0And, they play a crucial role in ensuring that the agricultural rewards (and, if necessary, punishments) come to pass. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Image: \u00a9 The Trustees of the British Museum \/ Dominique Collon. Used by permission http:\/\/oracc.museum.upenn.edu\/nimrud\/images\/vte\/BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

     <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":52090,"alt":"","title":"dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg","width":709,"height":489,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm-300x207.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":207,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg","medium_large-width":709,"medium_large-height":489,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg","large-width":709,"large-height":489,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg","1536x1536-width":709,"1536x1536-height":489,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg","2048x2048-width":709,"2048x2048-height":489,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg","post_full_size-width":709,"post_full_size-height":489,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm-609x420.jpg","home_baner-width":609,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"As Heaven And Earth Are My Witness!","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Ancient evidence of a desire for eternal validity","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":52090,"alt":"","title":"dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg","width":709,"height":489,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm-300x207.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":207,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg","medium_large-width":709,"medium_large-height":489,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg","large-width":709,"large-height":489,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg","1536x1536-width":709,"1536x1536-height":489,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg","2048x2048-width":709,"2048x2048-height":489,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm.jpg","post_full_size-width":709,"post_full_size-height":489,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/dt30-BM-132548-middlecomp-25cm-609x420.jpg","home_baner-width":609,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"384","name":"God","old_id":"784"},{"term_id":"555","name":"Archaeology","old_id":"955"}]},{"order":15,"id":"52078","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"The Return ","post_title":"The Return","slug":"the-return","old_id":"52078","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":36669,"post_title":"Yakov Azriel","slug":"yakov-azriel","old_id":"36669","first_name":"Yakov ","last_name":"Azriel","description":"Yakov Azriel, who lives in Israel, has published five books of poetry in the USA and hundreds of poems in journals and magazines. His poems have won twenty-two prizes in international poetry competitions, and he has twice been awarded fellowships from the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture.","short_description":"Yakov Azriel is an English language poet who lives in Israel","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":36670,"alt":"","title":"Yakov.Azriel.Photo","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668.jpg","width":1099,"height":1519,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-217x300.jpg","medium-width":217,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-741x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":741,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-741x1024.jpg","large-width":741,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668.jpg","1536x1536-width":1099,"1536x1536-height":1519,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668.jpg","2048x2048-width":1099,"2048x2048-height":1519,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-868x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":868,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-304x420.jpg","home_baner-width":304,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"183","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"From Over There","post_main_content_content":"

    \u201cThe Lord your God will then turn your captivity and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from the midst of all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you\u201d (Deuteronomy 30:3).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    She came back.<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>After so many years of waiting,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>Hoping, fearing, praying, despairing,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>My wife came back<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>From Over There.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    And after the embrace,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>The kiss, the tears,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>We returned<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>To our life together<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>Here. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

    And the days pass.<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>She wears slippers in the house again<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>As she used to;<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>She puts milk and sugar in her coffee again,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>She leans back in her chair<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>And even smiles at me again<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>As she used to,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>Before she was ripped away from me<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>And taken<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>Over There.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    But she never talks<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>About what happened,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>What they did to her,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>What she lived through,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span>If that could be called \u2018living.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    But at night,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> When she lies next to me in her nightgown,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> I see the scars,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> The bruises that do not heal,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> The cuts,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> The gashes.<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> She says nothing.<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> Nothing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    But sometimes<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> She wakes up in the middle of a nightmare<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> Mumbling words<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> In a language I do not understand,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> Shaking, crying.<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> I cradle her thin body in my arms;<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> I wipe her cheeks,<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> I try to comfort my wife<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> As I whisper her name, \u201c<\/span>Bat-Tzion<\/span><\/i>,\u201d<\/span>
    \r\n<\/span> As I stroke her hair.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    image: Ephraim Moshe Lillien, Bat-Tzion, detail from\u00a0Von Ghetto nach Zion,<\/em>\u00a01902 \/ flickr<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":98380,"alt":"","title":"neh1-bat zion","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","width":545,"height":381,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion-300x210.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":210,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","medium_large-width":545,"medium_large-height":381,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","large-width":545,"large-height":381,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","1536x1536-width":545,"1536x1536-height":381,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","2048x2048-width":545,"2048x2048-height":381,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","post_full_size-width":545,"post_full_size-height":381,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","home_baner-width":545,"home_baner-height":381}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"929 Poetry Corner","tile_main_caption":"The Return","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"From Over There","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":98380,"alt":"","title":"neh1-bat zion","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","width":545,"height":381,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion-300x210.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":210,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","medium_large-width":545,"medium_large-height":381,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","large-width":545,"large-height":381,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","1536x1536-width":545,"1536x1536-height":381,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","2048x2048-width":545,"2048x2048-height":381,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","post_full_size-width":545,"post_full_size-height":381,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neh1-bat-zion.jpg","home_baner-width":545,"home_baner-height":381}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"362","name":"Poetry","old_id":"762"}]},{"order":16,"id":"63429","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Nitzavim - 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    Moses lays it out for us this week in Nitzavim. We can choose life, or death. Blessing, or the curse. But, um, what\u2019s behind Door Number 3? Dahlia Lithwick knows.<\/p>\r\n

    In this Torah portion, Moses describes the Covenant between God and the Israelites, and sets before them a choice. Hear more in this week\u2019s animated short about the Torah portion.<\/p>\r\n

    Dahlia Lithwick writes about the courts and the law for Slate and hosts the podcast\u00a0Amicus<\/a>. Her work has appeared in the New Republic, Commentary, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Elle and on CNN.com.<\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/opCk0THAseE","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"By: Dahlia Lithwick","tile_main_caption":"Nitzavim - \"Signing\" the Covenant","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"A Bimbam Video","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/opCk0THAseE","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"II Kings","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"1063"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"368","name":"Parasha","old_id":"768"},{"term_id":"369","name":"Visual Arts","old_id":"769"}]},{"order":17,"id":"63432","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Nitzavim - Not Beyond the Sea ","post_title":"Nitzavim - Not Beyond The Sea","slug":"nitzavim-not-beyond-the-sea","old_id":"63432","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":42813,"post_title":"Covenant & Conversation","slug":"covenant-conversation","old_id":"42813","first_name":"","last_name":"Covenant & Conversation","description":"Covenant & Conversation: Family Edition is a new and exciting initiative from The Office of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Written as an accompaniment to Rabbi Sacks\u2019 weekly Covenant & Conversation essay, the Family Edition is aimed at connecting older children and teenagers with his ideas and thoughts on the parsha. Each element of the Family Edition is progressively more advanced; The Core Idea is appropriate for all ages and the final element, From The Thought of Rabbi Sacks, is the most advanced section. Each section includes Questions to Ponder, aimed at encouraging discussion between family members in a way most appropriate to them. We have also included a section called Around the Shabbat Table with a few further questions on the parsha to think about. The final section is an Educational Companion which includes suggested talking points in response to the questions found throughout the Family Edition.","short_description":"Covenant & Conversation: Family Edition is a new and exciting initiative from The Office of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":42814,"alt":"","title":"CCfamilylogo-693x457","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457.jpg","width":693,"height":457,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457-300x198.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":198,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457.jpg","medium_large-width":693,"medium_large-height":457,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457.jpg","large-width":693,"large-height":457,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457.jpg","1536x1536-width":693,"1536x1536-height":457,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457.jpg","2048x2048-width":693,"2048x2048-height":457,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457.jpg","post_full_size-width":693,"post_full_size-height":457,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457-637x420.jpg","home_baner-width":637,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"1063","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

    In dramatic fashion, Moses gathers together\u00a0<\/span><\/span>all\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the people \u2013 leaders, tribes, elders, officials, children, wives, and strangers in the camp, from woodcutter to water-drawer \u2013 to renew their covenant with God before entering into the land of Israel. He warns them that their future depends on their faithfulness to it. If they break their faith and their promise, they will suffer defeat, devastation, and exile. Yet even then, the covenant and God\u2019s word would remain. Even\u00a0<\/span><\/span>during<\/span><\/span>\u00a0exile<\/span><\/span>, if the people return to God, He will return to them and help them to return to their land. The choice will always be theirs. Therefore, we are guided to \u201cChoose life, that you and your children may live\u201d (Devarim 30:19).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

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    Nitzavim - Together Even When We're Apart<\/a><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/ZmlCb8KaGXA","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Shabbat With a Schmear","tile_main_caption":"Nitzavim - Together Even When We're Apart","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Adam Mintz with Meredith Berkman (ShabbatMom)","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/ZmlCb8KaGXA","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"II Kings","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"1063"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"368","name":"Parasha","old_id":"768"},{"term_id":"369","name":"Visual Arts","old_id":"769"}]},{"order":19,"id":"63434","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Nitzavim: Presence And Restoration ","post_title":"Nitzavim: Presence And Restoration","slug":"nitzavim-presence-and-restoration","old_id":"63434","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":36663,"post_title":"Beth Kissileff","slug":"beth-kissileff","old_id":"36663","first_name":"Beth ","last_name":"Kissileff ","description":"Beth Kissileff is the editor of the anthology Reading Genesis (2016 - https:\/\/www.bloomsbury.com\/us\/reading-genesis-9780567381521), and the forthcoming Reading Exodus, and the author of the novel Questioning Return - https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Questioning-Return-Novel-Beth-Kissileff\/dp\/1942134231. \r\nHer journalism appears in many publications; she has taught most recently at the University of Pittsburgh. Visit her online at www.bethkissileff.com. ","short_description":"Beth Kissileff is the editor of the anthology Reading Genesis (Bloomsbury\/ T and T Clark, 2016) , a journalist and teacher.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":36664,"alt":"","title":"BethKissileff","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224.jpg","width":3478,"height":3200,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-300x276.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":276,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-768x707.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":707,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-1024x942.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":942,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1413,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1884,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-1200x1104.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1104,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-456x420.jpg","home_baner-width":456,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"1063","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Past, present and future come together in a vision of renewal and redemption","post_main_content_content":"

    \u201cBut both with all those who are standing here with us this day and with those who are not with us here this day\u201d (29:14).<\/p>\r\n

    Nitzavim opens with a ceremony to establish the covenant.\u00a0 As Bible scholar Jeffrey Tigay notes in his commentary on Deuteronomy, this is different from other ancient Near Eastern covenant texts, since it narrates the \u201cactual performance\u201d of the covenant rather than listing the terms. It makes sense then that Nitzavim is the liturgical reading this year the Shabbat before Jews literally enact the coronation of God as Sovereign over the universe in the symbolism of the Rosh Hashanah service.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

    The covenant discussed in Nitzavim\u00a0includes both being present in the moment, as well as an ability to reach into the future and the past.\u00a0Nitzavim discusses what is happening now, the covenant that is \u201cthis day\u201d but also how it will affect the future: that future generations, as well as those who join themselves to the Jewish people, are enrolled.<\/p>\r\n

    However, the covenant reaches back to the past as well.\u00a0 It assures the Israelites that \u201cthen the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and take you back in love\u201d (30:3). The verb \u201cto return\u201d \u201cshuv\u201d<\/em> in Hebrew appears seven times in the verses of chapter 30:1-10 and conveys both going back and actively restoring. The Talmud in Megillah 29a, says that this means God is actually physically with the Jewish people, explaining \u201cHe will return\" (30:3), that God will return with the people from among the exiles.\u00a0 When the restoration occurs, the past will be understood differently, as a precursor to the redeemed world we are now in, its bitterness and difficulty dissipated with the knowledge that God has continued to accompany us all along.<\/p>\r\n

    The performance of this covenant, both by reading the text of the portion, and participating in our yearly coronation ceremony enables us to live in the past, present and future in the best way we are able to as humans, with a \u201ccircumcised heart\u201d as Deuteronomy 30:6 teaches.\u00a0 \u201cThen the Lord your God will open up (literally \u2018circumcise\u2019) your heart and the hearts of your offspring to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul that you may live,\u201d (30:6) Moses enjoins his listeners.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

    The purpose of the covenant ceremony, past present and future, is to live with an opened heart and love of God, an injunction that surely will aid us in entering a new year.\u00a0 Shabbat shalom and shana tova u\u2019metuka, a good and sweet new year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":103932,"alt":"","title":"-625588df59fc4--625588df59fc5gen48-future star dream 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    This week\u2019s\u00a0Interactive Parsha Experience,<\/a> Nitzavim<\/strong><\/em>, is filled with Torah learning and practical ideas for your family and students. Learn with Rachel Friedrichs, Assistant Director of the Pardes Center for Jewish Education, as she explores the meaning of \u2018standing\u2019 before God.<\/p>\r\n

    And if you have older kids or teens, be sure to check out our\u00a0Parsha Discussion<\/a>\u00a0for a more mature conversation.<\/p>\r\n

    To receive an Interactive Parsha Experience weekly email please subscribe with Pardes\u00a0today<\/a>!<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":45256,"alt":"","title":"pardes cover 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    \u201cDoes God do teshuva and what can we learn from it?\u201d<\/span><\/a> by Freddy Powell: What would it mean for God to repent? <\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \u201cRepentance as (Re)Interpretation\u201d<\/span><\/a> by Alex Ozar: Explore potential meanings of repentance. <\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Go deeper into the chapter....","tile_main_caption":"Sefaria Source Sheets - Deuteronomy 30","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Click to get links to learning resources","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":42232,"alt":"","title":"sefaria-words-sunburst","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","width":608,"height":395,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-300x195.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":195,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","medium_large-width":608,"medium_large-height":395,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","large-width":608,"large-height":395,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","1536x1536-width":608,"1536x1536-height":395,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","2048x2048-width":608,"2048x2048-height":395,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","post_full_size-width":608,"post_full_size-height":395,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","home_baner-width":608,"home_baner-height":395}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"Sefaria word sunburst visualization","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":24,"id":"108644","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Points To Ponder: Deuteronomy 30 ","post_title":"Points To Ponder: Deuteronomy 30","slug":"points-to-ponder-deuteronomy-30","old_id":"108644","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":false,"related_cahpter":"183","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

      \r\n\t
    1. Surprise<\/em>. In chapter 28, which described the curses that would befall the people if they were to break the covenant, five times we read the unbearable phrase \u201cuntil you are destroyed.\u201d In that context - the idea of repentance is more than surprising.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    2. Circumcision of the heart<\/em>. In the context of the covenant, the image of the <\/span>tikkun<\/span><\/em>, the correction of the heart acquires a new meaning (verse 6)..\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    3. In reach<\/em>. Verses 11-14 declare that what is demanded of people is well within our abilities. \u201cIt is not in the heavens\u2026 neither is it beyond the sea\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    4. Free choice<\/em>. Fundamental idea. You\u2019ll find it in verse 15 and verse 19. By the way, it\u2019s not an obvious or self-understood idea. Whether in connection to the private individual or historic processes, there are often other voices, even in Deuteronomy (see e.g., 29:3).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","post_main_content_image":{"id":86314,"alt":"","title":"Points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"The Daily Summary","tile_main_caption":"Points to Ponder: Deuteronomy 30","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Insights and questions for personal reflection and group discussion","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":86314,"alt":"","title":"Points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Deuteronomy","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"183","date":"20260512","wall_id":"183"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false}],"hide_acf":true,"home_image":false,"home_posts":false,"home_posts_title":"","posts_home":[],"static_cube_title":"","static_cube_brief":"","static_cube_color":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall\/51780"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/wall"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}