Ha'azinu - 5775

Deuteronomy 32:1 - 32:52

What is the purpose of Ha’azinu (“give ear”), the poem that marks Moses’ final words to Israel? A literary masterpiece of poetic imagery and power, Ha’azinu speaks to Israel as a free people, and holds our feet to the fire. “Do you thus pay back the Lord, O foolish people and unwise?” cries Moses (Deut. 32:6). When we begin our Kol Nidre service this evening, let’s consider a beautiful interpretation of this verse by the Hafetz Chayim. He asks if a person is foolish why then also say that he [sic] is unwise? His answer: “people are accustomed to say that  a fool considers himself wise, and I say: every wise man considers himself to be foolish.” On this night, more than any other, let us check our arrogance at the door, and seek the wisdom that comes through teshuvah, tefillah and tzedakah. I wish you all a gemar hatimah tovah, may we all be inscribed and sealed for a good year.