Rabbi Bochner's Weekly Torah Commentary
Va’etchanan
This week we study and read Parshat Va’etchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11) which is always read on Shabbat Nachamu, the Sabbath of Consolation which falls after the Fast of Tisha B’Av and begins the seven weeks of consolation which concludes with the Yamim Noraim (High Holidays). Nachamu takes its name from the first line of the Haftorah (Isaiah) which speaks of the people being comforted and Jerusalem rejoicing in good news. In an interesting word play, an ancient Midrash interprets Nachamu Ami ("Be comforted My people") as meaning: "Be comforted, along with Me" implying that God's presence herself is in exile and needs to be comforted in these post-Tisha B'\Av weeks. Va’etchanan contains such “greatest hits” as the Shema and V’Ahvatah, the 10 Commandments, and lines of text that later became incorporated into Aleinu, , the Torah Service, Simchat Torah Service, and the Passover Haggadah. It's a wonderful Torah portion to help us on our journey towards comfort, consolation, joy and the approaching momths of Elul and Tishrei. This coming Sunday is Tu B'Av, the full moon of the month of Av, an ancient holiday of love and mating. Shabbat Shalom! - Rabbi Shalom Bochner, Director of Life Long Learning