In these parshot, Moses wraps up all he has to say to the Israelites. When he is done speaking, he will take leave of them and die. He says: \”Please remember all I have instructed you to do, so that you will lead happy and fulfilled lives.\”
Did You See the movie \”Lord of the Rings\”? In it, Bilbo Baggins passes the ring on to his nephew, Frodo, who discovers that the ring makes the wearer powerful and evil. Now Frodo must return it to the evil place where it was created and throw it into the only fire that will destroy it.
This week\’s parsha is concerned with mitzvot — mitzvot in time of war, mitzvot concerning marriage, mitzvot concerning lost property, mitzvot concerning animals.
We are entering the homestretch. Aug. 9 is the first of Elul, the last month in the Jewish calendar.
Last week we talked about ways you can help out people who might need your help this summer. In this week\’s portion, we are again told not to forget the needy. This time the Torah uses the words \”do not harden your heart.\” Who else hardens their heart in the Torah? Pharaoh, of course! Pharaoh gets so used to hardening his heart, that at some point, it becomes the only reaction he can have. Can you think of a time when you \”hardened your heart\” and refused to give in or help someone? The Torah says: Do not do this too often, for it will become a habit hard to break.
Ack! Summer\’s halfway over. I hope you\’re having a great summer. Are you at camp? Did your parents take you on a fun trip? A cruise, perhaps?
The Shabbat after Tisha B\’Av is called Shabbat Nachamu, after the haftara that is read: \”Nachamu, nachamu ami\” (Be comforted, be comforted my people).
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