“Simchat Torah was born when Jews had lost everything else, but they never lost their capacity to rejoice. A people whose capacity for joy cannot be destroyed is itself indestructible.” — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (rabbisacks.org) Rabbi Sacks' words are indeed powerful, and have particular meaning as Jewish communities look towards both the celebration of the festival of Simchat Torah (commencing this Saturday evening at sunset) and the commemoration of the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre next Wednesday, with wounds still raw and wartime tensions ongoing. Is it possible to endure tragedy and heartbreak, yet still find reason to rejoice? To this, Jewish tradition answers with a resounding Yes. It is a profound question to ponder, and I invite you to engage with it. Is it possible to rejoice amidst tears? “Simchat Torah was born when Jews had lost everything else, but they never lost their capacity to rejoice. A people whose capacity for joy cannot be destroyed is itself indestructible.” — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks But first, a few basics about the festival of Simchat Torah: What is Simchat Torah? Simchat Torah (‘Rejoicing in the Torah’) is a one-day Jewish festival at the end of the seven-day festival of Sukkot. In Israel the day coincides with another holiday called Shemini Atzeret (‘the Eighth Day of the Assembly’). Outside Israel the two holidays are treated as separate days. The focus of Simchat Torah is the centrality of Torah. For Jewish communities it marks the very last day of the annual Torah reading cycle. The next day, the cycle of Torah readings begins all over again with Genesis 1:1. In synagogues, Simchat Torah is celebrated with joyful dancing with the Torah. The conclusion of the Book of Deuteronomy is read in the synagogue followed by the opening words of the Book of Genesis. Thus there is an unbroken continuation of the annual cycle of Torah readings. Perhaps it is this continuity of a relationship, between God's word and God's people, that enables the resilience of joy of which Rabbi Sacks spoke. That is, true joy arises not simply from a happiness experienced in the present but the meaning it acquires from a deeper love story, an epic adventure, reaching back many generations. Can it be that the joy of which scripture and tradition speak involves a decision to rejoice, no matter what? For reflection What inspires you about Simchat Torah and its celebration? Or about the words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks? Can you remember a time when you were able to appreciate and 'taste' goodness, truth and love, even amidst tragedy, suffering and sorrow? Share some thoughts on this sensitive, profound topic encompassing the heartbreaks and difficulties in our lives. © Teresa Pirola, 2026. Reproduction for non-commercial use permitted with acknowledgment of website. www.lightoftorah.net

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. Download the PDF version. 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. Now available: The Jewish and Christian Liturgical Calendar for 2026-2027 Download free, courtesy of Etz Hayim - Tree of Life Publishing

Shana Tova U'Metuka Festival greetings to Jewish friends for Rosh Hashanah, and a wish for all the goodness and sweetness of the new year. With the commencement of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) on the eve of 12 September 2026, we are led to marvel at the deeply human and spiritual instinct for RENEWAL. With Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish liturgical calendar sets aside special days as a time to ‘start life afresh’. The festival ushers in the High Holy Days, a ten-day holy period of introspection and repentance; a time to acknowledge one’s shortcomings, to forgive and be forgiven, to make amends and to renew one’s life. It is a 'return' (shuva) to one's deepest, most authentic self before G-d. The audacious message of Rosh Hashanah is: Not only can human beings know of their need to repent, not only can they desire to be better people, but they can actually set about to make it happen. Far from being ‘wishful thinking’, Rosh Hashanah, along with the Days of Awe that unfold in its wake, is a call to take responsibility for one’s life. It is undertaken in the larger context of community life, and with full acknowledgement that the Creator G-d, Sovereign of the world, continues to renew creation and calls human beings to account for their decisions and actions. Despite the fragility and difficulties of our lives, we are expected to live the gift of each day as fully and as authentically as we possibly can. It is a bold calling! For there is no shortage of excuses by which human beings can ‘give in’ to the sufferings and injustices of life. How easy it is to blame others for the troubled state of the world around us. To enter into Rosh Hashanah is to resist that path and pursue another way. It is to respond to that inner voice that says: not only should things be different, but they can be so… starting with me. It is possible to start afresh and make this coming year truly good and filled with the sweetness of G-d's justice and mercy. Other religious traditions have their particular and beautiful ways of expressing repentance and renewal. In the wake of Rosh Hashanah, we can be grateful for the Jewish tradition and its unique way of embodying the divine invitation to 'walk with' G-d and one another. 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... © Teresa Pirola, Light of Torah, 2023, 2026. This article can be reproduced for non-commercial use, with acknowledgment of website. Now available: The Jewish and Christian Liturgical Calendar for 2026-2027 Download free, courtesy of Etz Hayim - Tree of Life Publishing

In chapter 30 of the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses continues to prepare the Israelites for the journey ahead, the journey to be made upon entering the promised land; the journey that will be made without him. Our focus today is four lovely verses, Deuteronomy 30:11-14. However, as we shall see, we will need to read the previous ten verses as well (30:1-10) to fully benefit from this discussion. Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?' Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear and observe it?' No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe. (Deut. 30:11-14). Read 30:11-14 and note your reactions. To what exactly is the text referring when it says ‘this commandment’? Which commandment? Is it the call to repentance in the foregoing verses? Or is it G-d’s teachings as a whole? This is a question which has intrigued Jewish commentators over the centuries.[1] Read 30:1-14 and offer your view. If you and your Torah partner hold differing views, you are in good company; so do the sages! For instance, Nahmanides connects the commandment with teshuva (Hebrew: ‘repentance’). Conscious of the dispersion of the Jews throughout the world, he hears these verses as saying, whatever the geographic or cultural challenges, repentance is never inaccessible; it is freely embraced by one’s resolve. But most commentators, including Rashi, take a different approach; and in the writings of the Talmud we find sages who assume that these verses apply to the whole complex of Jewish observance. Does the question matter? What is to be gained by such a debate? How do you enter this discussion? A further question: What significance is added by verses 12-13? A further question arises in Jewish Torah discussions: What significance is added by verses 12-13? Wouldn’t the meaning of the text remain intact if they were omitted? Test this for yourself by skipping over verses 12-13, and reading from v.11 to v.14. There are two interpretations that emerge on this question, says the Be’er Yizhak. We can hear the text as saying: If the Torah were in heaven it would be inaccessible. But since it’s not, we have no excuses to prevent us from reaching for it! Even if the Torah were as far away as heaven, it is of such value that we would still be duty-bound to yearn for it, and we would be crying out ‘Who will go up to get it?!’ But since it is close, how much more duty-bound are we to embrace it! And you? How do verses 12-13 speak to you? What subtle shades of meaning are illuminated by their presence in the text? From the midrash A people close to Torah is a people close to G-d, as this midrashic text states: '...the word is very near to you’ (Deut.30:14). G-d said to Israel: ‘My children, if the words of the Torah will be near to you, I too will call you ‘near ones.’ For so Scripture says, ‘The children of Israel, a people close to him. Halleluyah!’ (Ps.148.14). Deut. Rabbah 8.7 Notes Named in this issue are two great medieval Torah scholars: Nahmanides (13th century Spain) and Rashi (11th century France). Be’er Yizhak is a 19th century commentary on Rashi. See Leibowitz, 321-325. Bibliography: Eskenazi & Weiss, The Torah: A Women’s Commentary (New York, 2008); Leibowitz, Studies in Devarim (New York, 1996). Scripture: NRSV. © Teresa Pirola, 2013 lightoftorah.net Reproduction for non-commercial use permitted with acknowledgement of website. Download the PDF version. 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 Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9 - 30:20), the Torah portion read for this Sabbath in the Jewish liturgical cycle as part of a double Torah portion, Nitzavim-Vayelekh (Deut. 29:9-31:30). Shabbat shalom! Now available: The Jewish and Christian Liturgical Calendar for 2026-2027 Download free, courtesy of Etz Hayim - Tree of Life Publishing

Join us this Tuesday, 1 September, for an online seminar hosted by Bat Kol International. Renowned biblical scholar Prof Amy-Jill Levine, President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America, will directly address the topic of supersessionism in a (free) one-hour online seminar to be held Tuesday 1 September 2026, titled: Supersessionism: Naming and Addressing the Issue ‘Supersessionism’ is a concept much discussed in Jewish-Christian dialogue circles and is generally understood as Christians attempting to ‘replace’ Jews as the covenant community, with various approaches and shades of intent. In this session, Amy-Jill Levine will survey the range of scholarly views of ‘supersessionism’ and propose a way forward which is both an honest use of scriptural texts and conducive to interfaith relations. Please register and share this invitation widely in church circles - with bishops, priests, deacons, directors of education, leaders of church agencies, as well as with teachers, students, parishioners, diocesan personnel and other Christians who are committed to strengthening social cohesion. Together, we can make a difference. Registration will ensure you receive a link to the video recording. This internationally-organised seminar will take place on Tuesday 1 September 2026 at: 11.30 pm Sydney | 9.30 pm Perth | 8:30 am Nashville | 9.30 pm Manila | 2.30 pm London | 3.30 pm Johannesburg | 4.30 pm Jerusalem The seminar is the second in a three-part series, “Ancient Texts for our Troubled Times”, hosted by Bat Kol International. To view a recording of the previous two sessions #1 and #2 or for more information and bookings, visit the Bat Kol International website. Enquiries: admin@batkolinternational.org

In the Torah we find repeated instances of the Israelites being warned to ‘remember’ and ‘observe;’ that is, to remember God’s saving acts in history, and to observe the commandments so as to enjoy continued blessings. The Jewish sages taught that the Torah never repeats itself without good reason. Repetition calls for the reader’s careful attention. In this spirit, let’s explore an example from the Book of Deuteronomy. Read Deuteronomy 8:7-11 and 8:12-18. Here we find two passages which are quite similar. Each describes the blessings of living in the Promised Land, and each follows with a warning not to forget ‘the Lord your God.’ The two passages are similar, but there are also differences. Can you pick them? Two similar passages; yet there are differences. Can you pick them? The first describes the prosperity of the Israelites in terms of the natural fertility of the land: a land of running waters and unlimited supplies of grains, fruits, vegetables and minerals. Seven times the Hebrew word eretz (‘land’) appears in this passage. Note how the flow of the text conjures up a picture of lush countryside, abundance, profound satisfaction. But why the warning about forgetting the Lord and failing to keep his commandments? What might be the temptation facing the Israelites as they come upon this land flowing with milk and honey? The second passage also describes the prosperity of the Israelites, but this time in terms of the works of their hands after some time of settlement: fine houses, numerous herds and flocks, riches of silver and gold. Yet, once again, the bright picture is suddenly clouded with a warning about ‘forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt’ (8:14). What might be the temptation contained in this second description of blessing as the Israelites ‘settle in’ to their long-awaited promised land? And how does it differ from the first? Say the Jewish sages, the first warning refers to the temptation of being intoxicated by natural goodness, of failing to enjoy blessings in moderation, of allowing instinct to override self-control. Worse still, it is allowing one’s enthusiasm to lead to the wrong god, e.g., the pagan gods of fertility, rather than the true Creator God. The warning in the second passage refers to the temptation of being too confident in one’s abilities, of thinking that ‘my power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth’ (8:17) and forgetting that all blessings ultimately depend on the hand of the Almighty. Both temptations refer to complacency, taking for granted divine-given gifts, and a blindness to God’s miraculous hand at work. Nachmanides (13th century Talmudic scholar) comments that, in the desert, the Israelites depended on God’s miraculous gifts (e.g., manna) for their survival; recollection of these events should serve to remind us that it is the same God, with the same miraculous powers, who continues to provide for our needs, even if now the miracles in our lives seem ‘ordinary’ or hidden. Reflection A blessing from God is no guarantee that fidelity to God will follow. In any given situation, fidelity involves a conscious, free choice. Reflect on a time when (i) you were confronted by one of the two temptations mentioned above; and (ii) you made a conscious choice for God. Bibliography: Eskenazi &Weiss, The Torah: A Women’s Commentary (New York, 2008); Leibowitz, Studies in Devarim (New York, 1996); The Artscroll Interlinear Siddur (New York, 2002); Scripture: NRSV. © Teresa Pirola, 2013. lightoftorah.net. Reproduction for non-commercial use permitted with acknowledgement of website. Download the PDF version. Light of Torah is a Sydney-based initiatives encouraging Christians to reflect on the Hebrew Scriptures with the help of insights from Jewish tradition. More... The reflection above refers to Parashat Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25), the Torah portion read for this Sabbath in the Jewish liturgical cycle). Shabbat shalom! Download your free Jewish and Christian Liturgical Calendar, courtesy of Etz Hayim-Tree of Life Publishing.

“Do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord...” (Deut. 6:18). Over the centuries, this verse in Deuteronomy has attracted the attention of Jewish scholars immersed in Torah study. There is something puzzling about 6:18 which calls for deeper reflection and creative interpretation. Can you pick it? It is noted that this verse follows numerous exhortations to ‘keep the commandments’ (e.g., see Deut. 4:1,5-9; 5:1,29; 6:1,2,17). Throughout the Torah, and especially in Deuteronomy, one finds constant insistence that every law and statute be faithfully observed by the people of God. Why, then, the addition of this instruction to ‘do what it right and good’? Surely if a person keeps all the commandments, that person will be living in a way which is ‘right and good’! Why, then, the addition of this instruction to ‘do what it right and good’? For the Jewish sages, the words of the Torah are never superfluous; there must be a further, subtle meaning to be discovered in this verse. Ponder it yourself, in havrutah [1], i.e., with a friend... what do you discover there? Perhaps you considered, as did two great Jewish scholars, Rashi and Maimonides,[2] that obedience to rules alone is not enough to ensure a just and loving society. More is needed. It is possible to keep the letter of the law but to violate its spirit. Indeed, it is possible to actually negate the depths of God’s desires through foolish use of the letter of the law. As Rashi sees it: What is fair and good: this implies a compromise - forgoing what one is entitled to according to the law - going beyond what the law requires. The 20th century Jewish thinker Rabbi Yeshaya Shapira (d.1942) enters the discussion this way: Whoever wishes to achieve a perfect observance of the Torah cannot rest content with adhering to its explicit rulings. One must penetrate deeper in order to arrive at the ultimate aim of these rulings. One must not only think of what is good and upright in his own eyes but that ‘which is upright and good in the eyes of the Lord’... ‘You shall do that which is right...’ This special injunction demonstrates that Judaism does not rest content with limiting active evil doing, but also aspires to eradicate potential evil from the soul of human beings. [3] That we should live by the spirit of the law and not just the letter of the law is a familiar teaching for Christians. What is important here is to recognise it as a fundamental tenet of Judaism, a teaching inherited by Christianity. Sadly, in the history of the Church, Christians have often stereotyped Judaism as a ‘legalistic’ religion, supposedly in contrast to Christianity as a religion of ‘love’ and ‘of the spirit’. We can help dispel such misconceptions and stereotypes about Judaism by becoming acquainted with the interpretative processes at work in Jewish tradition and how the legal passages in Scripture are handled delicately and creatively by Jewish commentators. • 1. Havrutah refers to a time-honoured Jewish method of Torah study which requires the active back-and-forth discussion and debate between two or more study-partners. 2. Rashi: Rabbi Shelomo Yitzhaki, 11th c., France. Maimonides: Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (also known as Rambam), 12th c., Spain, Egypt. 3. See Shapira quoted in Leibowitz, 63. Bibliography: Leibowitz, New Studies in Devarim (New York, 1996); Rashi: Commentary on the Torah (New York: Mesorah, 2001). Scripture: NRSV © Teresa Pirola, 2012. lightoftorah.net. Reproduction for non-commercial use permitted with acknowledgement of website. Download the PDF version. Light of Torah is a Sydney-based grassroots initiative encouraging Christians to reflect on Torah with the help of Jewish insights. More... The reflection above refers to Parashat Va-et'chanan (Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11), the Torah portion read for this Sabbath in the Jewish liturgical cycle. Shabbat shalom.

“Do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord...” (Deut. 6:18). Over the centuries, this verse in Deuteronomy has attracted the attention of Jewish scholars immersed in Torah study. There is something puzzling about 6:18 which calls for deeper reflection and creative interpretation. Can you pick it? It is noted that this verse follows numerous exhortations to ‘keep the commandments’ (e.g., see Deut. 4:1,5-9; 5:1,29; 6:1,2,17). Throughout the Torah, and especially in Deuteronomy, one finds constant insistence that every law and statute be faithfully observed by the people of God. Why, then, the addition of this instruction to ‘do what it right and good’? Surely if a person keeps all the commandments, that person will be living in a way which is ‘right and good’! Why, then, the addition of this instruction to ‘do what it right and good’? For the Jewish sages, the words of the Torah are never superfluous; there must be a further, subtle meaning to be discovered in this verse. Ponder it yourself, in havrutah [1], i.e., with a friend... what do you discover there? Perhaps you considered, as did two great Jewish scholars, Rashi and Maimonides,[2] that obedience to rules alone is not enough to ensure a just and loving society. More is needed. It is possible to keep the letter of the law but to violate its spirit. Indeed, it is possible to actually negate the depths of God’s desires through foolish use of the letter of the law. As Rashi sees it: What is fair and good: this implies a compromise - forgoing what one is entitled to according to the law - going beyond what the law requires. The 20th century Jewish thinker Rabbi Yeshaya Shapira (d.1942) enters the discussion this way: Whoever wishes to achieve a perfect observance of the Torah cannot rest content with adhering to its explicit rulings. One must penetrate deeper in order to arrive at the ultimate aim of these rulings. One must not only think of what is good and upright in his own eyes but that ‘which is upright and good in the eyes of the Lord’... ‘You shall do that which is right...’ This special injunction demonstrates that Judaism does not rest content with limiting active evil doing, but also aspires to eradicate potential evil from the soul of human beings. [3] That we should live by the spirit of the law and not just the letter of the law is a familiar teaching for Christians. What is important here is to recognise it as a fundamental tenet of Judaism, a teaching inherited by Christianity. Sadly, in the history of the Church, Christians have often stereotyped Judaism as a ‘legalistic’ religion, supposedly in contrast to Christianity as a religion of ‘love’ and ‘of the spirit’. We can help dispel such misconceptions and stereotypes about Judaism by becoming acquainted with the interpretative processes at work in Jewish tradition and how the legal passages in Scripture are handled delicately and creatively by Jewish commentators. • 1. Havrutah refers to a time-honoured Jewish method of Torah study which requires the active back-and-forth discussion and debate between two or more study-partners. 2. Rashi: Rabbi Shelomo Yitzhaki, 11th c., France. Maimonides: Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (also known as Rambam), 12th c., Spain, Egypt. 3. See Shapira quoted in Leibowitz, 63. Bibliography: Leibowitz, New Studies in Devarim (New York, 1996); Rashi: Commentary on the Torah (New York: Mesorah, 2001). Scripture: NRSV © Teresa Pirola, 2012. lightoftorah.net. Reproduction for non-commercial use permitted with acknowledgement of website. Download the PDF version. Light of Torah is a Sydney-based grassroots initiative encouraging Christians to reflect on Torah with the help of Jewish insights. More... The reflection above refers to Parashat Va-et'chanan (Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11), the Torah portion read for this Sabbath in the Jewish liturgical cycle. Shabbat shalom.

With a Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion currently taking place in Australia following the deadly terror attack at Bondi, this is an important time to listen deeply to perspectives on antisemitism, its causes, and how this prejudice continues to manifest today, even subtly in communities such as the Catholic church which is committed to the reforms of Vatican II. Internationally renowned biblical scholar Prof. Amy-Jill Levine will directly address the topic of antisemitism in a (free) one-hour online seminar to be held on Tuesday 4 August 2026, titled: Antisemitism: Why does it still persist in Catholic teaching and preaching 60 years after Nostra Aetate? Please register and share this invitation widely in church circles - with bishops, priests, deacons, directors of education, leaders of church agencies, as well as with teachers, students, parishioners, diocesan personnel and other Christians who are committed to strengthening social cohesion. Together, we can make a difference. Registration will ensure you receive a link to the video recording. This internationally-organised seminar will take place on Tuesday 4 August 2026 at: 11.30 pm Sydney | 9.30 pm Perth | 8:30 am Nashville | 9.30 pm Manila | 2.30 pm London | 3.30 pm Johannesburg | 4.30 pm Jerusalem The seminar is the second in a three-part series, “Ancient Texts for our Troubled Times”, hosted by Bat Kol International. To view a recording of the previous session or for more information and bookings, visit the Bat Kol International website. Enquiries: admin@batkolinternational.org

The Hebrew title for the book of Deuteronomy is Devarim, ‘words’. What ‘words’? The opening verse tells us that these are the farewell speeches of Moses to the people of Israel as they stand on the plains of Moab, ready to make their final journey, across the Jordan River, to enter the promised land. They will make this journey without Moses who prepares to die as the Lord foretold (Numbers 27:13). In the opening chapters of Deuteronomy we find Moses reviewing the travels of the Israelites from Mt Sinai. The events he recounts—the establishment of leaders, the sin of the spies, encounters with foreign nations—have already been described in the books of Exodus and Numbers. Read Moses’ memoirs as recorded in Deuteronomy 1:5 – 3:11. Do you notice anything unusual? If you have been following the stories of the Israelites through the desert, you will notice some interesting discrepancies in Moses’ retelling. Moses’ recall of events is not identical to the stories told earlier. For example, here, the appointment of leaders is presented as Moses’ idea rather than that of his father-in-law, Jethro (Exodus 18:17f.); here, G-d bars Moses from the promised land because of the spies’ sin rather than Moses’ actions (Numbers 20:12); here, the battles against Sichon and Og are remembered as divinely pre-ordained victories rather than unplanned occurrences (Numbers 32). What is going on? Something very ancient, very Jewish, and embedded also in Christian tradition: the ongoing interpretation of the biblical text. Scripture is not a dead letter to be studied like a petrified fossil; it is a living word that speaks ‘heart to heart’ and is received afresh by each new generation of believers. And how early this process of interpretation begins: we see it occurring here within the biblical text itself. What else can we glean from Moses’ memoirs? He tells and interprets events for a reason. This is not self-indulgent reminiscing; this is a leader preparing his people, a younger generation which has no memories of their parents’ slavery, for the next critical stage of nationhood. What vital lessons are being taught at this point? If you were Moses, what aspects of the journey would you highlight? Some contemporary Torah commentators explore a psychological profile of Moses, likening his troubles along the journey to those of parenthood. He is a great leader, yes, but also a flawed human being struggling to come to grips with the past forty years and his hopes and dreams for his children, at times even blaming them as a projection of his own unresolved issues. Our Torah portion reveals a profound I-Thou relationship between Moses and the Israelites (note how the word ‘you’ repeatedly punctuates his speech); yet it is a relationship laden with conflict and alienation as much as intimacy and fidelity. As a parent, teacher, pastor or community leader, can you relate to Moses’ sacrifices, heroism, limitations and struggles? Continue to explore the opening chapters of the Book of Deuteronomy, allowing these sacred stories to speak to your own life's journey. Reflection We are considering Moses’ final words. Have you ever been with someone who was close to death and who shared some final words with you? If you had a short time to live, what words would you most wish to speak, and to whom? 1. Midrash Rabbah Devarim 1.7 Bibliography: Eskenazi & Weiss, The Torah: A Women’s Commentary (New York, 2008), p.1058; Freedman and Simon, eds., Midrash Rabbah: Deuteronomy (London/New York, 1983). © Teresa Pirola, 2013. lightoftorah.net. Reproduction for non-commercial use permitted with acknowledgement of website. Download the PDF version here. Light of Torah is a Sydney-based initiative encouraging Christians to reflect on Torah with the help of Jewish insights. More... The reflection above refers to Parashat Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1 - 3:22), which is the Torah portion read for this Sabbath in the Jewish liturgical calendar. Shabbat shalom!

Having just been victorious in battle, in Chapter 32 of the Book of Numbers we find the Israelites encamped on the plains of Moab ready to cross the Jordan river into the promised land. Finally! After all the obstacles they have encountered in their epic wilderness trek, can there be anything stopping them now? Apparently there is. This time the obstacle is not physical hardship, hostile foreigners or the discouraging reports of the spies. It is the desire to settle down and be comfortable, rather than forge ahead into the land that is integral to the covenant G-d made with Israel. "Now the Reubenites and the Gadites owned a very great number of cattle. When they saw that the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead was a good place for cattle, the Gadites and the Reubenites came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying..."(Numbers 32:1-2). The Reubenites and Gadites seek permission to be excused from the Israelites’ approaching battle as they enter the promised land, to instead 'stay put' and settle with their families in the rich grazing country east of the Jordan. Chapter 32 tells of their approach to Moses, Moses’ response, and the outcome of the negotiations. Note that the Reubenites and Gadites present their petition in two parts. First, they politely present the facts. The land on which they stand “is a land for cattle; and [we] your servants have cattle” (32:4). Then the text says: “They continued...” It is as if there had been a pause. Were they dropping a hint and waiting to see how Moses responded? Were they hoping that Moses might be impressed by the ‘cattle’ link and suggest they stay behind and settle the land? If so, their hopes were dashed. Moses apparently was silent, and so they continued: “If we have found favour in your sight, let this land be given to [us] your servants for a possession; do not make us cross the Jordan” (32:5). To this Moses releases a torrent of fury: “Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here? Why will you discourage the hearts of the Israelites from going over into the land that the Lord has given them?” (32:6-7). Moses has no time for their cosy little plans when all their resources as a nation are being mustered to complete the arduous journey on which the Lord has led them. The promised land is within reach! In their proposal Moses sees the disaster of the spies (see Num.13-14) all over again: “If you turn away from following the Lord, the Lord will again abandon the people in the wilderness; and you will destroy all this people” (see 32:15). The Midrash, too, expresses disapproval: "In the case of the children of Gad and the children of Reuben, you find that they were rich, possessing large numbers of cattle, but they loved their money and settled outside the Land of Israel" (Num. R. 22:7). Yet, despite his fury, Moses negotiates with the Reubenites and Gadites. They will enter the battle along with the people of Israel and secure a victory. Then they, along with the half tribe of Manasseh (32:33), will settle in their land of choice, outside the land of Israel. Still, the gulf between negotiating parties remains. In Moses’ mind, Israel’s mission as G-d’s people is paramount. The Reubenites and Gadites on the other hand seem to view it as a business deal balancing their interests against the rest of Israel. Unlike Moses who is centred on G-d and the whole people, they are focused on their own material wealth and needs. Subtle details in the text reveal this critical difference in vision; can you pick them? Read the text closely, ideally with a study partner and discuss your findings and respective interpretations. Further reflection: If the motivation of the tribes in question was so wrong (v.14) and contrary to the divine will, why did Moses negotiate with them? And why did it not attract the same cataclysmic display of divine wrath as in the case of the story of the spies? Food for thought! As these stories draw us in, we are invited to engage, ponder and wrestle with the sacred text. Bibliography: Freedman and Simon, eds., Midrash Rabbah: Numbers Vol. 2 (London/New York: Soncino Press, 1983); Leibowitz, Studies in Bamidbar (New York, n.p.d.). Scripture: NRSV. © Teresa Pirola, 2013. lightoftorah.net Reproduction for non-commercial use permitted with acknowledgement of website. Download the PDF version here. Light of Torah is a Sydney-based initiative encouraging Christians to reflect on Torah with the help of Jewish insights. More... The reflection above refers to Parashat Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2 - 36:13), which is the (double) Torah portion read for this Sabbath in the Jewish liturgical calendar. Shabbat shalom!

A number of educational events are approaching, organised by various groups, with the opportunity to spend time with Prof. Amy-Jill Levine, a prominent biblical scholar who has helped countless Christians to appreciate the Gospels and the Letters of St Paul within their Jewish contexts. These sessions offer important insights into the task of dismantling prejudice and supporting social cohesion. Click on the flyers and links below for details. One-hour Online Sessions | Hosted by Bat Kol International 4 August, 1 September Register at www.batkolinternational.org One-hour Online Interview | Hosted by Catholic Religious Australia Wednesday 8 July Register at www.catholicreligious.org.au/events In-Person Public Lecture in Adelaide (Norwood SA Catholic Parish) Thursday 9 July, 7.30pm