Text Box: This week we have the Shabbat just prior to Tisha B'Av, and while many people are centering on Tisha B'Av for their writings this week, I will be staying within our format of speaking strictly from the Parasha. For more information on Tisha B'Av click here. We begin the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) this week. The Book of Devarim is a 37-day long speech by Moses, beginning on the 1st of Shevat and ending on the 7th of Adar -- the day of Moses' passing -- in the year 2488 from creation (1273 BCE). In his speech, Moses recaps the major events and laws that are recorded in the Torah's other four books. Thus, the Book of Devarim is also called Mishneh Torah, "Repetition of the Torah" (and hence its Anglicized-Latin name, Deuteronomy, or "Second Law"). Technically, Moses wrote all five books. But as our Sages explain, in the first four books Moses transcribed everything as he received it from G-d, while in Devarim he says it, "in his own words." The distinction is clearly seen by the fact that the first four books are written in the third person ("And G-d spoke to Moses, saying"), while in Devarim we hear Moses' voice in first person ("At that time, G-d said to me", etc.). This retelling also provides some details that are not given in the first four books of the Torah. This reading points out in verse 1:13 that Moses had people pick leaders from within their tribes to put forward to Moses for the judges to help in ruling the people. From those presented to Moses, he then decided who was to be in what positions. What a model for leadership for us today. Allowing the people to put forward their choices and then placing the people in the right level of leadership as revealed to you by intimate relationship with G-d is a model we would do well to follow in our organizations today. The sin of the spies is retold in this Parasha. (see Shalach L'Cha) We are reminded that when G-d calls us to action, He expects us to take that action when he calls us. A tentative approach and letting our own views determine if we should go forward is not G-d's method of operation. The people suggested to Moses to send spies into the land of promise before going in to occupy what G-d had said was theirs. Moses brings the petition forward and G-d says to send for yourself spies. This was not G-d's plan but he allowed it to happen upon the peoples' request. G-d does give us free will and in this case the lack of telling people to trust in G-d and just move forward upon G-d's clear direction resulted in disaster. They saw things that made them doubt G-d's command for what to do, and only after they saw G-d was to punish them for their lack of obedience did they then say they would go in. G-d warned them that the opportunity had passed and He would not be with them, but they went anyhow and got routed in battle. This section also tells us G-d's plan for the Middle East and the division of the land between the sons of Isaac and the sons of Esau. We live in a time of conflict as to who should be living in the land of Israel and how to have relations with neighbors, but G-d already had this all figured out. There is an area of land in southern Jordan designated as G-d's appointed place for the sons of Esau. G-d did not forget these people, and as descendents of Abraham they are given a place to live. The Israelites are instructed not to meddle with, provoke, or make war with these people but just to pay them for passing through their land for all food and the use of water. The children of Esau are to allow this and to live in peace as neighbors as Israel settles into its own land. Each people group was to have its own land. And this plan would still work for today. It is sad to say that there are some who provoke a neighbor with barbs and ill treatment, not allowing for there being "...one law for you and the stranger who dwells among you." But even worse is the way the push from the Muslim world in the Middle East is to have all of "Palestine" and to not allow for a state of Israel at all. This shows in the push for a "two state solution", as it is likely to be called in the press. There are many Arab states around Israel and only one Jewish state: Israel. The current state of Israel is smaller than the land given by G-d, but it is still not recognized by the mainstream Muslim Arabs of the area. YES, I said mainstream. These people are not extremists but are the mainstream of Islam as taught from the heart of Islam in Mecca and the surrounding areas. G-d proposed a two state solution. We now have much more than a two state solution as the situation involves Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia…. and the one Jewish state of Israel. Israel is not provoking its neighbors, and indeed Jordan and Egypt have peace treaties with Israel that clearly spell out the borders as recognized by these two Arab neighbors. The problem being that there are those from those countries and others now living in Israel claiming to be Palestinians. They insist that there be no Jewish state and propose a short term contiguous state of Palestine that would split the small nation of Israel in two and still have clearly spoken of there being no Israel at all as their long term goal. Of course at this time there was no religion of Islam claiming to have Jerusalem as a holy site and all the problems that go with this conflict. All the same, G-d shows how to have peace between the sons of Isaac and Esau. Each has their own lands with Israel being for the sons of Isaac and good neighbor relations with proper trade between the countries. For more on this topic as things stand today click here. Hmmm. Letting the people have input for their leaders while final selection is by those with a very clear relationship with G-d; moving forward when and how G-d says to, and allowing the sons of Esau to live in peace as they have their place to live that is not in Israel. Words of wisdom from the foundational years of Israel that still show us how it should be done today. Selah —

This week’s Parasha

Standing Strong

A Messianic Jewish Congregation with an outreach to Believers in Israel

 July 21/ 6 Av — Words

Deut 1:1-3:22

Isa 1:1-27

With additional readings for Christians

Luke 16:19-31

Eph 6:10-18