Can you believe it? We are approaching the end of another torah cycle. This week we read two short parshiyot, but perhaps we should say that we savor these two parshiyot, because they are very special. Moshe, whom we have followed since he was a child, is nearing the very end of his life. He has cajoled, thundered, comforted and warned the intransigent tribes year after year, hoping they will heed God'swarning. He has shouldered the heavy burden of leadership and acted as a go-between between God and the people. His one wish to set foot in The Land was not granted him following his error in the desert. Now, as he approaches his last day on earth it is time to hand over the leadership of the people and to speak volumes in few words. Moshe tells the people to be strong, to be courageous in the face of what is to come.
חִזְק֣וּ וְאִמְצ֔וּ אַל־תִּֽירְא֥וּ וְאַל־תַּעַרְצ֖וּ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם כִּ֣י ׀ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ ה֚וּא הַהֹלֵ֣ךְ עִמָּ֔ךְ לֹ֥א יַרְפְּךָ֖ וְלֹ֥א יַעַזְבֶֽךָּ׃ {ס}
Be strong and resolute, be not in fear or in dread of them; for the LORD your God Himself marches with you: He will not fail you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
We, the readers of Torah, can hope that Moshe was also inspired by his own words and show courage as he completes his role as leader.
Indeed, these words could not be more important in this year of 5784. In the face of tremendous obstacles and war, it is important to hear these words of hope and commitment. Just as the shofar blasts awaken us, the words Chizku V'emtzu, ring forth to fill us with courage.
Believe.
Wishing all of you a Shabbat Shalom and a year of health and sweetness and better news soon. We pray for peace. Thank you for reading these words.
Leann
Believe
Believe in yourself
because you are the beginning, the middle and the end.
Believe in your people
even if sometimes it feels like no one else does.
Believe in your history,
storied and gloried and so often impossibly hard,
even if some wish to rewrite it.
Believe in The Land,
introduced from the center of a bush glowing red,
The Land of dates and pomegranates,
of Hillel and Akiba,
of Ruth and Naomi,
searchers and seekers,
pilgrims and refugees,
believers who returned with hope
century after century
to see The Land and weep,
to inhale its scent,
to kiss its promised soil.
Remember, my people,
you are not grasshoppers
and those who surround you are not giants.
Remember this with your eyes,
with your hearts and every cell of your unending might
and when you awaken trembling at night,
remember that you are not alone.
You are part of a great people.
You are one of the stars in the unending sky,
You are a grain of sand on an endless beach.
You are part of The Promise.
You are The Promise.
You and not an Angel.
You and those who came before you.
You and those who will come after you.
Believe in yourself.
Believe in your people.
Chazak v’amatz
Be strong and courageous
You are not alone.
This beautiful image taken by Albert Lew, friend and amazing photographer
חִזְק֣וּ וְאִמְצ֔וּ
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