Parsha Talk Vaethanan 5785 2025

Parashat Va-etchanan [Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11] is always read on Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat after Tisha B’Av, so named because nachamu is the first word of the haftarah [Isaiah 40:1-26]. It seems appropriate that the Shabbat we come out of our commemoration of the death and destruction associated with Tisha B’AV that our Torah reading includes both the first paragraph of the Shema [Deuteronomy 6:4-9] and the Ten Commandments [Deuteronomy 5:6-18]. It is not too much to say that these two texts are foundational to Judaism, and that we best mark the turn from Tisha B’Av towards consolation and the upcoming High Holy Days by recommitting ourselves to them. Our conversation focused on the metaphor of the כור ברזל [kur barzel, translated as iron blast furnace, in the NJPS translation] for the first twenty minutes or so. We then shifted to a consideration of comfort, the theme of the haftarah. We continue to keep in mind the hostages, dead and alive, may they be speedily returned to their families. We are also mindful of those defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces. May all who are hungry find the necessary food for survival and nourishment. Shabbat Shalom.