We pray every week for the leaders of the Jewish Ministry,
• Website: https://jewishadventist-org.gcnetadventist.org
A must website. To subscribe to our newsletter. To download some resources (Hebrew Sabbath School, and other documents). To order the book “Comfort, Comfort my people…” and many other things. •
Professional Urban Development: The WJAFC provides: - Professional Urban training for Jewish Ministry - Teaching for theological students - Help to plant new congregations. - Support for AdventistJewish dialogue with scholars and rabbis
Shalom Adventure Magazine online: www.ShalomAdventure.com
If you would like to read articles, watch videos, learn things about Judaism and Israel, this website is just for you. • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WJAFC: If you would like to share with people, this forum on facebook is a good place for that. • Photos on Google+: http://picasaweb.google.com/jewishadventist: We have posted a lot of pictures on Internet during the last years. Don’t hesitate to look at them.
• WebRadio: www.shema-israel-radio.com
If you would like to listen Jewish or Messianic songs. If you want to be used to ear modern Hebrew of the Apostolic Writings, it is the right radio to listen on the web. • Adventist Mission Website: http://wjafc.adventistmission.org/ This website is the new resource provided by the Office of Adventist Mission of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists. • Russian Website: http://www.boruh.info/ This website is in Russian, many articles and the parasha are posted on it every week.
WJAFC Paris
A weekly Journal of information and training published by the World Jewish Adventist Friendship Center Under the umbrella of the General Conference —Office of Adventist Mission
Journal of Information and Training — Issue 700— 1 October 2 0 1 6 / 2 8 E l l u l 5 7 7 6
Jael Wells Cuellar English Edition: Richard-Amram Elofer
Richard Amram Elofer
Russian Edition: Alexandra Obrevko French Edition: Sabine Baris Spanish Edition: Jael Wells Cuellar Portuguese Edition: Carlos Muniz Dutch Edition: Hubert Paulleta
Hubert Paulleta 8
Shabbat — Netzavim
Shabbat Shalom Newsletter
Resources:
Carlos Muniz Emails: English: richard@elofer.com Russian: sashok_l@mail.ru French: sabinebaris@gmail.com Spanish: jael_wells@hotmail.com Portuguese: cdmuniz@gmail.com Dutch: hpauletta@hotmail.com
Credit photos: Richard Elofer, Alexandra Obrevko, Jael Wells Cuellar Hubert Paulleta, Laurent Baris and Advent Digital Media
for more information: contact us at www.jewishadventist.org
Alexandra Obrevko
Sabine Baris
700
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1 October / 28 Ellul 2016 / 5776
This issue
News P.1 Parasha’s comments P.2-4 Haftara P.4-5 Apostolic Writings P.5 Stories P.6 Inspirational Corner P.6,7 Color Sheet for Kids P.7
Weekly Jewish-Adventist Journal of Information
We pray every week for a topic related to the Jewish people. I suggest our partners to pray from October 1 to 8 for The Jewish people of their own city and their own country. On this week of Rosh Hashanah, Jews are going to their synagogue to pray, asking G-d to prepare them for Yom Kippur, the great day of atonement and forgiveness, it will be a unique occasion for G-d to pour out upon them His Holy Spirit, let’s pray for this miracle.
NEWS
Chag Sameach Shanah Tovah Happy New Year 5777 The World Jewish Adventist Friendship Center wishes the State of Israel, President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benyamin Natanyahu, Members of the Knesset, all its people and the Jewish people living all over the world a happy and prosperous New Year 5777. May G-d give peace to Israel and may we all be inscribed for a good year.
Jeff Zeremski’s Last Trip to Israel
Jeff Zeremski one of our oldest Jewish ministry workers is leading a group of his members to Israel every year. But this year his trip in Septembre 2016 had a special purpose, to shot some video footages for Shalom Adventure website and other purposes. In his last e-mail he said: “We have filmed close to a thousand different shots” Then he shared with us a miracle: “We have experienced many miracles: Our flight to Israel landed 30 minutes early, when this particular flight was notoriously late most of the time On the flight from Tampa to Newark as we were flying out of Florida and getting away from Tropical Storm Hermine (on our way from Florida to Newark) Jeff’s mother asked him what promise was he claiming for this trip, and within 30 minutes of her question Jeff looked out the window and saw on the clouds below the plane a double circle of rainbows with the shadow of the plane right in the middle of the double circle of rainbows. We were just minutes behind a crash with a car going coming around a curve at high speeds and going into our lane and hitting a bus head on. This delayed us and caused us to get to a sight just minutes before it closed. After that filming the road was closed so we were diverted through a date palm grove while they were harvesting dates – it made for some interesting shots and a delicious taste test.” more are coming, but that is for next week.
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Parasha for this Week
Parasha Overview
Netzavim
Netzavim
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n the last days of his life, Moshe gathers together all the people, both young and old, lowly and exalted, men and women in a final initiation. The covenant includes not only those who are present, but even those generations yet unborn. Moshe admonishes the people again to be extremely vigilant against idol worship, because in spite of having witnessed the abominations of Egypt, there will always be the temptation to experiment with foreign philosophies as a pretext for immorality. Moshe describes the desolation of the Land of Israel which will be a result of the failure to heed G-d’s mitzvot (commandments). Both their descendants and foreigners alike will remark on the singu-
Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the L-rd our G-d to go and serve the G-ds of those nations.
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Deuteronomy 29: 10 - 30:20
The covenant
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n the parasha Netsavim Moshe wanted to remind Israel of the facts they witnessed with their own eyes, so that they would gain a correct understanding of the blessings and curses announced to them. Moses added certain explanations to ensure that the nation would not misinterpret the blessings and curses. According to Rabbi Hirsch the verses 9 to 20 are the explanations of what he said in the verses 1 to 8. The parasha starts saying: “Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.” (Deuteronomy 29:9) this verse to the verse 14 refute the wrong notion that Israel’s convenantal commitment to fulfillment of the Torah is limited to certain classes of the nation, to certain generation or to a certain period of time. In fact, the covenant and the oath apply to all members of Israel and to all future generations. And the verses 15 to 20 show that the pronouncement of the blessings and curses are not only for the whole nation or leaders
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but for each individual, each member of Israel has the duty to be faithful to the covenant and to the commandments that G-d has given to the people of Israel.
A Good Year
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arshat Nitzavim contains a direct message for every believer before Rosh Hashana. On the last day of his life, Moshe tells the people of Israel, “You are standing this day, all of you, before the L-rd your G-d: Your heads, your tribes, your elders, your officers all the men of Israel, your little ones, your wives, your stranger that is in the midst of your camp, from the hewer of your wood to the one who draws your water; so that you shall enter into the covenant of the L-rd your G-d and unto His oath which the L-rd your G-d makes with you today... Not only with you do I make this covenant and this oath, but with him that stands here with us this day and also with him that is not with us this day.” (Deuteronomy 29:10-15) Moshe uses ten expressions which correspond to the ten categories of people, from the
heads of the congregation to those who serve as laborers. Everyone is important before the eyes of G-d and thus everyone must stand together as one nation and one spiritual soul in order to pass into the covenant of G-d. The Parasha Nitzavim, is read on the Shabbat preceding Rosh Hashana for its message is important for Rosh Hashana. “Nitzavim” means to stand firm with confidence and security. Our sages say that to for us to be confident and assured that when we come before G-d on Rosh Hashana, the day of judgment, we will be inscribed for a good and sweet year, we, as a nation must make every effort to stand united amongst ourselves.
Torah In Our Life
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egarding idolatry the torah warns us saying “Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the L-rd our G-d to go and serve the G-ds of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, one who, when he
(Deuteronomy 29:18)
hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike.” (Deuteronomy 29:18– 19). Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman used to quote his Rebbe, the Chofetz Chaim, that this refers to someone who doesn’t just do an improper act because of an impulse. Rather, he makes an entire ideology out of cruelty and the right to harm others—he makes a whole new set of rules for himself that are diametrically opposed to Torah principles. The next verse (Deuteronomy 29:19) illustrates that this is a very serious offense! It is not that the person just happened to do something that was wrong. There are people who cause others emotional pain in various ways and when they are rebuked, they claim, “I always do this. This is the way those people should be treated.” If someone creates for himself principles that are based on selfishness and callousness, he will not merely cause suffering just
a few times. He will repeat what he does over and over again. Since she or he has not lost his temper, but premeditatedly decides to act this way, she or he will not regret the harm he causes. Our behavior towards others should not be based on our faults and negative character traits formulated into a policy. We must study the Torah to know the elevated behavior that is our obligation and then incorporate the Torah standards into our life.
Curse or Oath
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he Torah continue to speak about this man who turn away from the L-rd: “The L-rd will not be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the L-rd and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and the curses written in this book will settle upon him, and the L-rd will blot out his name from under heaven.” (Deuteronomy 29:20). This offense is so great that G-d will not forgive him. G-d will not accede to his request, will not act accordance with his expectations. Now there is
an interesting remark made by Rabbi Hirsch about the words Kol Ha’alah which is translated in our translation by “curses.” He said: The primary meaning of ‘alah is not “curse” but “oath. And he explains one who undertakes an ‘alah is like one who ““take the name of the L-rd your G-d in vain” (Exodus 20:7), he submits himself to Divine judgment if what he swears about is untrue, or if he does not actualize it. Rabbi Hirsch is very bold here when he said “Whoever takes an oath appeals to the power of G-d and submits himself to His judgment; the power of G-d will manifest itself in the ruin that will come upon him as a punishment for the false oath.” in this way the word ‘alah also denotes in particular this ruin-bringing aspect of the oath, and so it denotes the curse that one who swears falsely brings upon himself.
Individual Responsibility
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his chapter 29 of Deuteronomy is a clear description of what will happen to G-d’s
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lar desolation of the Land and its apparent inability to be sown or to produce crops. The conclusion will be apparent to all — the Jewish People have forsaken the One who protects them, in favor of idols which can do nothing. Moshe promises, however, that the people will eventually repent after both the blessings and the curses have been fulfilled. However, after being assimilated among the nations, G-d will bring them back to Eretz (land of) Israel. Moshe tells the people to remember that the Torah is not a remote impossibility; rather its fulfillment is within the grasp of every Jew. The Parasha concludes with a dramatic choice between life and death. Moshe exhorts the people to choose life.
“For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.It is not in heaven, … Neither is it beyond the sea, … But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:11–14)
Haftara Overview Isaiah 61:10-63:9
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his last text of comfort is an exultation of Israel for G-d’s salvation. “I will greatly rejoice in the L-rd, my whole being shall exult in my G-d; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. ” (Is. 61:10). This text is wonderful, because it is an affirmation of the free gift of salvation from G-d. “for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,” these garments are free, there is no need for any payment. In the same way, G-d is ready to cover our sins and transgressions freely, just because he loves us and wants to save us. G-d does not love only Israel but all the nations, his love and his righteousness are available for every nation. “so the L-rd G-d will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.” (Is. 61:11). However, the nations will see and benefit of G-d’s salvation, only if they recognize G-d’s love for Israel “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The
people if they will not be faithful to G-d. The global meaning is that we could be under the illusion that the blessings and curses depend strictly on the conduct of the majority of the nation. We could think that if the nation as whole is deserving of Gd’s blessings and also receives them, then no individual member of G-d’s people will be barred from a share in the people’s prosperity, even if he personally is not deserving. But that is only an illusion. What individuals are doing matter for the whole nation. That is why after speaking about this individual who turn away from the L-rd, the Torah affirms: “And the next generation, your children who rise up after you, and the foreigner who comes from a far land, will say, when they see the afflictions of that land and the sicknesses with which the L-rd has made it sick” (Deuteronomy 29:22). Your descendants and also all the nations of the world will see the catastrophe that will come upon you and your land, and the prolonged misery that will come upon both the land and the nation, and they will see that all these things were predicted in this book. Thus the catastrophe of the people and land will be manifest historical testimony to G-d and his rule.
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Repentance
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he Torah States: “And you shall return and hearken to the voice of the Almighty.” (Deuteronomy 30:8) This is taught previously in verse 2, why is it mentioned again? Before a person does teshuva (repent), corrects his mistakes in deed and character according to the Torah standard, he is unaware of the many things he does wrong. After he returns to the Torah path, he becomes aware of other more things that need to be corrected. Hence, the Torah repeats its call to return to the Almighty - this time with a greater depth and breadth. There is always room for improvement - refining our actions and our character!
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The Bible
n the Torah it is written: “[The Torah] is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who shall go up for us to heaven and bring it to us that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea that you should say, ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us that we may hear it or do it?’” (Deut. 30: 12,13) The Talmud (Eiruvin 55a) states on this verse that if the Torah were in heaven, we would still have to climb up to reach it. If the Torah were on the other side of the ocean, we would still have to go traveling for it.
This means that the Bible is so crucial for one’s existence that even if it were extremely difficult to acquire, you would still have to make every possible effort to acquire it.
Mouth & Hearth
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n this week’s Torah portion we learn that the goal of learning and fulfilling the Torah is neither hidden nor distant from us: “Rather, the matter is very close to you in your mouth and heart to do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:14). Why does the Torah use the phrase “mouth and heart” to tell us that we can learn the whole Torah and fulfill it? Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz, the Rosh Hayeshiva of the Mir Yeshiva, commented that regardless of how far away one is, if he is sincerely resolved to become a better person, he will be able make an immediate transformation of himself. How? When you make a sincere verbal commitment to the Almighty and to yourself to become a changed person, your very words have impact. If you keep up your resolve, you can change your behavior. If the words of your mouth are one with what is in your heart, then you can change immediately. However, sometimes we need to repeat over and over the words of what we know is correct - and what we should do—so that they will enter our hearts.
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Apostolic Writings — 2 Peter 3:1-12
n Parasha Netsavim, the covenant is presented again as a covenant which has to be accepted by each member of G-d’s people. The Apostolic Writings, inspired by the same Spirit of the Torah is also presented the same covenant again to G-d’s people under the leadership of Yeshua. This covenant has to be accepted by each family and each individual who is called by G-d, knowing that the great truth of the Apostolic Writings is that the covenant is extended to all the families of the earth and not only to the people of Israel. The experience of our fathers is interesting. their examples is important for us, in order to understand that each one of us should consider very seriously the calling of G-d. If we are here today, where we are, it is because G-d has called us, and we are in the condition of the people of Israel in the border of Canaan to whom G-d said: “You are standing today all of you before the L-RD your G-d: the heads of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, all the men of Israel, your little ones, your wives, and the sojourner who is in your camp, from the one who chops your wood to the one who draws your water, so that you may enter into the sworn covenant of the L-RD your G-d, which the L-RD your G-d is making with you today,” (Deuteronomy 29:10–12). Expecting the second coming of the Messiah, we are in the border of the heavenly Canaan, that is why there are some similarities between the time of
Moshe and our time called the “end of time”. Our time was described by Shim’on called also Peter, in his second letter saying: “This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the L-rd and Savior through your apostles,” (2 Peter 3:1–2) and one of these commands is about our preparation for the second coming of Yeshua, he said “The L-rd is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Do we want to go home? To enter this promised heavenly Canaan, thus we have to listen carefully to what Peter said. First, the L-rd is not slow to fulfill his promise to come, He patient for us, willing to save us. According to the Jewish tradition we entered the messianic era two thousand years ago; we have seen the first revelation of the Messiah, the Son of Joseph two thousand years ago at the start of this messianic era. Leaving us after his resurrection, he promised that he will come back as the Son of David to establish his kingdom forever. However, two thousand years later he hasn’t yet come, Shim’on explains that Messiah’s delay is a proof of His love for us, He is “patient” toward us, He loves us so much that He knows that if He would
come back today many of us would be lost. Loving us He is patient waiting for us to repent, to come back to G-d, in Jewish thought to make Teshuva, then He will be happy to come back because He knows that He will welcome each one of us in His kingdom and will introduce us in our heavenly home. Therefore, let’s answer to this great love and come back to him, today, before it is too late. However, Peter’s speech continues: “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and Gdliness,waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of G-d,” (2 Peter 3:11– 12). Many of us are still attached to material things of the earth, Peter says that all these things “are to be dissolved” they will not exist anymore, that is why our priority should on our preparation for the great day of the L-rd in order to be ready. Peter describe this time to “waiting” as a time of “hastening the coming of the day,” thus the good question is how can I hasten the day of the L-rd? In two ways: 1. preparing oneself for this day living in “holiness and G-dliness.” And 2. Preparing the world for the coming of the Messiah and His kingdom as Yeshua affirmed: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
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nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory” (Is 62:1-2). We have seen in Isaiah 54, that the L-rd has forsaken Israel for a while, in this chapter, the L-rd wants to marry again his people “You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the L-rd delights in you” (Is 60:5). Even the land of Israel will come back to her ”your land shall be married.” Whatever could happen, Israel is seen as holy “They shall be called, “The Holy People, The Redeemed of the L-rd” (Is 62:12). The L-rd sees what the nations are doing to Israel, each persecution is recorded in heaven, “in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old” (Is 60:9a). What a wonderful promise. Israel is assured of G-d’s love. Israel can enter the fall feast with certitude, G-d loves and will forgive them.
Stories and Traditions Family Values
T Inspirational Corner
v “The secret things belong unto the L-rd our G-d; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever.” (Deuteronomy 29:29). Just how G-d accomplished the work of creation, he has never revealed to men; human science cannot search out the secrets of the Most High. His creative power is as incomprehensible as his existence. (CE 193)
here was once a noted scholar who taught many disciples and received people from early morning until late at night. To his great disappointment, however, his son was wild and displayed little interest in his studies. Down the street lived a simple shoemaker whose son was a budding young scholar. One day, the scholar paid the shoemaker a visit. “Tell me, my friend,” he said, “what do you do that has earned you such a fine son? I want to learn from you.” “It is very simple, rabbi,” said the shoemaker. “Friday night, you come to the table exhausted from your holy efforts. You rush through the meal, give the children a few minutes of your time and go to sleep. On the other hand, the highlight of my whole week is Friday night when I can linger over the meal, sing songs with my family and review the events of the week in the light of the wisdom of the Torah. The spirit of Shabbat is alive in my home, and my children love it.” As we face the new year, let us take these lessons to heart. Family values begin with ourselves. If we know what to value in life, if we appreciate the priceless gifts of the Torah, our own enthusiasm will automatically be transmitted to our children. And when they are presented with the awesome choices of this week’s Torah portion, they will undoubtedly “choose life.”
Forgiveness
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father, on his deathbed, called his children together and gave each one a stick. He
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told them to try and break the stick, which each did with little effort. Afterwards, he gave them the same amount of sticks tied together. “Now try to break them!” he instructed. No matter how hard they tried they couldn’t break the bundle of sticks. “This is my lesson to you, my dear children. If each one of you cares only for himself, it will be easy for the outside forces to break you and destroy you. But if you stick together, no one will be able to harm you!” When we come before G-d on Rosh Hashana, we can overcome any adversity as long as we stay together. For this reason it is customary, before Rosh Hashana, to forgive and ask forgiveness for wrongs which we may have done to each other. This way, we come as one before G-d and receive His blessings for the New Year.
The Sound of the Shofar
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king was once traveling in the forest and lost his way, until he met a man who recognized that he was the king and escorted his master out of the forest and back to his palace. The king later rewarded him with many presents, and elevated him to a powerful minister’s post. After a while, however, the man committed an act which was considered rebellious against the king, and he was sentenced to death. Before he
was taken out to be executed, the king granted him one last request. The man said: “I request to wear the clothes I wore when I escorted His Majesty when he was lost in the forest, and that His Majesty should also wear the clothes he wore then.” The king complied, and when they were both dressed in the garments they wore at the time of their meeting, he said, “By your life, you have saved yourself,” and called off the execution. According to the Jewish tradition, when G-d gave the Torah to Israel, he offered it first to all the nations of the world. They all refused, except the people of Israel, who willingly accepted the call from Heaven and fulfilled the commandments of the Creator. But now they have transgressed and rebelled, like the man in the parable, and with the arrival of Rosh-Hashana, the Day of Judgment, they are fearful indeed. So they blow the shofar to recall the shofar blowing that accompanied their original acceptance of the Torah and coronation of G-d in the Sinai. This act stands by us, it recalls G-d and the Mashiach their love for Israel, “as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for G-d’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” (Rom 11:28–29) and G-d forgives them all their sins and inscribes them immediately for a year of goodness and life.
Kids Parasha Netzavim
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Deuteronomy 29: 10 - 30:20 “You know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed. And you have seen their detestable things, their idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold, which were among them. Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the L-rd our G-d to go and serve the G-ds of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit,” (Deuteronomy 29:16–18) http://www.bnai-tikkun.org.nz 7
Inspirational Corner
v Moses closed with these impressive words: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: that thou mayest love the L-rd thy G-d, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the L-rd sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:19, 20. The more deeply to impress these truths upon all minds, the great leader embodied them in sacred verse. The people were to commit to memory this poetic history and teach it to their children and children’s children, that it might never be forgotten. (EP 331-332)