Parashat Haazinu (האזינו) — Devarim 32:1 – 32:52. Read on Shabbat, October 9, 2027.
Summary of Parashat Haazinu
This parasha consists essentially of the song that Moshe addresses to the people, written in poetic verse. He calls heaven and earth to witness and wishes that his teaching may spread like rain and dew. He proclaims the perfection of G-d, the Rock, all of whose ways are justice, and contrasts this faithfulness with the ingratitude of a people that has corrupted itself. Moshe calls on the people to remember the days of old and to ask their fathers and their elders. He recalls how G-d found His people in a desert land, surrounded them and guarded them like the apple of His eye, like an eagle watching over its young, and fed them with the finest produce of the land. But Yeshurun grew fat and rebelled, forgot the Rock who had made him and turned to idols. G-d then announces that He will hide His face and send misfortunes. Yet He will not destroy His people completely, so that their enemies may not claim the victory for themselves; He will come to their defense and take vengeance on their adversaries. The song ends by calling on the nations to rejoice with His people. Moshe, together with Hoshea son of Nun, recites this song, then says: “It is not an empty thing for you, it is your life.” That very day, G-d commands Moshe to ascend Mount Nevo to see the land, where he will die.
The themes
- The song of Moshe
- Remembering the days of old
- The faithfulness of G-d
Rav Raphaël Benizri’s lectures on Haazinu
There is no lecture by the Rav on this parasha yet. Find all available lectures on the Weekly Parasha page.
A question for the Shabbat table
Moshe asks us to question our parents and our elders: what family story would we like to be told?
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Summary by the Pensées Juives editorial team. The Rav’s teachings are found in his lectures, linked above.