Parsha Ha’azinu
Deuteronomy 32:1–52

By Jen Smith, Guest Torah Blogger

In Parsha Ha’azinu, Moses delivers a profound, poetic song as his final message to the Israelites before his death. It is a song of testimony, calling upon Heaven and Earth as witnesses to the covenant between God and Israel. While the imagery and warnings are striking, there is an underlying tone of promise and hope that is rooted in the sacred relationship between God and His chosen people.

Reading Ha’atzinu is particularly poignant during the Days of Awe – the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur where we move through a period of deep introspection and spiritual elevation, focusing our intentions on teshuvah (repentance), tefillah (prayer), and tzedakah (acts of righteousness). Ha’azinu offers us an important guide for navigating through this time, reminding us to listen, reflect, and engage with our community.

Ha’atzinu opens with the following line: Ha’azinu Hashamayim va’adabeirah, v’tishma ha’aretz imrei pi…Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; let the earth hear the words of my mouth…call on the heavens and earth to bear witness (Deut. 32:1). These words serve as an eternal reminder that during these sacred days, we must “give ear.” The act of listening is spiritual, as we are called not just to hear the words of our Torah or prayer, but to listen to the Divine voice within that calls us to return home to our true selves.

Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the Jewish year, invites us to truly listen. The blast of the shofar is not just a ritual sound; it is a spiritual wake-up call, shaking us from the fog of our complacency. The Days of Awe provide a time for intentional introspection, opening ourselves to hearing the whispers of our soul to learn what must be mended in our lives and in our relationships.

In Jewish mysticism, there is an understanding that each soul carries divine sparks, a reflection of God’s essence as we were made in His Divine image. The song of Ha’azinu reminds of this sacred connection as Moses recounts the myriad ways in which God nourished and sustained the Israelites, like an eagle who rouses its nestlings, gliding down to its young (Deut. 32:11). This nurturing presence nudges us forward, reminding us to follow the divine light with ourselves and within our community during these Days of Awe.

Kabbalah teaches that teshuvah is not just about repentance for specific sins, but about returning to our divine essence. This is a time to realign ourselves with our higher purpose, to recognize that we are all interconnected as we strive for spiritual wholeness. Mystically, Rosh Hashanah represents the recreation of the world, an opportunity to begin anew not just as individuals, but as a Kehillah Kedosha – a sacred community.

Ha’azinu’s song is a communal message. Moses speaks to all of Israel, driving home the undeniable truth that their fate is bound together. In the same way, the High Holidays emphasize our shared destiny. On Rosh Hashanah, we stand together as a community before God to take acknowledge and respect the impact our actions have on others, and the liturgy reflects this common thread. We pray to Avinu Malkeinu, our father and king, when we pray to God as our personal guide, honoring His role as Parent, Head of the Proverbial Household, and King of our Jewish community.

The Days of Awe culminate in Yom Kippur, when we come together as a community to seek forgiveness. Each year, we count on our beautiful community to pray together; welcoming back those whom we see regularly at Shabbat services, friends we’ve made at school, and those we see but once or twice a year on our holiest of days. Each person is unique, and each soul is a piece of our eternal puzzle. Ha’azinu reminds us that we are responsible for each other, and it is our sacred task to create a society rooted in justice, kindness, and love. Rabbi Isaac ben Solomon Luria, 16^th century founder of Kabbalah, wrote about the idea that the soul of the Jewish community is infinitely greater than the sum of its parts. When we unite in prayer, in purpose, and in action, we elevate one another and bring healing to the world.

As we listen to the words of Ha’azinu and the sounds of the shofar, we are called to reflect on our lives, our relationships, and our connection to the divine. The Days of Awe remind us that we are in a sacred dance of renewal, both individually and as a community.

Let us use this time to listen deeply, return to our true selves, and recommit to building a world that reflects the values of our tradition — a world of justice, compassion, and connection. May the song of Ha’azinu guide us, and may we emerge from this time of introspection with renewed purpose and strength.

 Wishing you a beautiful year of good health, happiness, and peace in 5785! Shanah Tovah U’Metukah!

 Shabbat Shalom.