The Song of Moses
In chapter 32 of Deuteronomy we hear on the lips of Moses ‘the Song of Moses’ - a recollection of the troubled relationship between G-d and Israel. It begins by remembering an idyllic time when Israel was ‘the pupil of G-d’s eye’; but by verse 15 the sins of Israel are laid bare and the Almighty's fury is unleashed. From verse 26, G-d reconsiders punishment as a solution and resolves to deliver Israel from its enemies. Through 52 tumultuous verses, a story of the redemption of a people is told.
As an example of biblical poetry, this chapter is rich indeed. Let’s focus on the opening 15 verses. Read aloud Deuteronomy 32:1-15. Listen to the rhythm, patterns, repetitions and imagery of the sacred text. What do you notice?
Did you savour the poetic parallelism? Where two or more lines mirror each other, as in:
“May my teaching drop like the rain,
my speech condense like the dew;
like gentle rain on grass,
like showers on new growth” (32:2).
In other cases, the lines sound similar but contain two distinct ideas/items such as those highlighted here:
“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak;
Let the earth hear the words of my mouth.” (32:1).
“The Rock, his work is perfect,
and all his ways are just” (32:4).
Several metaphors are employed to describe G-d (Rock, Warrior, Father, Mother, Eagle).
Note, too, that four times in v.2 Moses’ words are likened to water. Just as lifegiving water sustains the earth, so these words are recited in order to sustain the covenant between G-d and the Israelites as they enter the promised land.
Reflection on teshuvah
At time of sharing this issue of Light of Torah the liturgical context for this Torah portion is the Ten Days of Repentance, as the Jewish calendar moves from Rosh HaShanah to Yom Kippur. The Sabbath which falls between Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is called Shabbat Shuvah. In Hebrew, shuvah means ‘return,’ suggesting the return to one’s pure origins. From here comes the Hebrew word for ‘repentance:’ teshuvah.
Further reflection
Is your relationship with G-d, with G-d’s people, sometimes ‘tumultuous’? In what way does this week’s Torah reading speak to you?
Bibliography: Eskenazi & Weiss, eds., A Woman’s Torah Commentary (New York, 2008); Leibowitz, Studies in Devarim (New York: Lambda, 1996). Scripture: NRSV.
© Teresa Pirola, 2013. lightoftorah.net. Reproduction for non-commercial use permitted with acknowledgement of website.
Light of Torah is a Sydney-based initiative encouraging Christians to reflect on the Hebrew Scriptures with the help of insights from Jewish tradition. More... The reflection above refers to Parashat Haazinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-52), the Torah portion read for this Sabbath (Shabbat Shuva) in the Jewish liturgical cycle.
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