SEDRA: Devarim Hertz Chumash p. 736 Deuteronomy Chap. 1

This week's Sedra is generously sponsored by Andrew Firestone.

SYNOPSIS:

Sedra Devarim, is the opening section of the book of Devarim derived from the opening words "Eleh ha'd'varim". "These are the words". It is also called "Mishneh Torah" - the Torah repeated, as it reviews the major incidents and principles of much of the Torah in the form of the "Three Farewell Discourses" of Moses.
The Sedra opens with the place (near to the Promised Land) and date (the fortieth year) of the first farewell discourse. Moses reviews the events of the previous forty years. He recalls how at Mount Choreb (Sinai) G-d had commanded them to break camp and begin their journey to their destination, the promised land of Canaan. Moses then relates that he soon realised he was unable to bear the burden of the leadership alone and so he delegated authority to judges and administrators to assist him. This verse beginning with the word "Echa" is sung in the melody of The Book of Lamentations (called `Echa') since this Sedra always occurs on the Shabbat before Tish'a B'av.
When they reached Kadesh Barnea spies were sent to Canaan. They reported on the excellence of the land but caused the people to lose heart through their reference to the impregnability of the cities, and the powerful population including giants. This loss of faith resulted in the period of wandering in the wilderness being extend to 40 years, till virtually all the older generation had died. Only Joshua and Caleb of the older generation would enter the land, since as spies, they had reported positively.
The Israelites remained at Mount Seir for a long time. They were then to cross the land of Edom, but were to refrain from any hostilities since the Edomites were the descendants of Esau and this land had been promised to them. Likewise they were not to attack Moab or Amon since these lands had been promised to the descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew.
However, on crossing the river Arnon the Israelites began the conquest of the Amorite kingdoms. They defeated Sichon King of Cheshbon, who had denied them passage through his land and the same fate befell Og, King of Bashan. These campaigns resulted in decisive defeats and the dread of the Israelites began to spread among the local peoples as G-d had promised. The land of the Amorites was promised to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh on condition that they participate in the advance guard of the conquest of the land together with the rest of the Israelites. Joshua was strongly encouraged not to fear the nations living in the promised land for G-d Himself would fight for them.

HAPHTORAH HERTZ CHUMASH P 750 Isaiah Chap 1.

As mentioned above, this Sedra always precedes Tish'a B'av and is called "Shabbat Chazon" since the Haphtorah, third of the Haphtorot of Rebuke opens with the word : "Chazon Yeshayahu - the vision of Yeshayahu".

The dire warnings and accusations in the haphtorah have been selected as a warning to Israel for all time of the tragic results of moral and ethical degradation. While G-d has been a Father of His people, Israel has displayed gross ignorance, disobedience and ingratitude. Only G-d's kindness has prevented the corruption from leading to destruction on the scale of Sodom and Gomorrah. The capital, Jerusalem, the ruler and the sacrificial system have been corrupted and are a source of loathing. Penitence is available and strongly urged. Justice should be reinstituted for the `faithful city' has degenerated into `a harlot'. Nevertheless all hope is not lost for those who will repentantly return in justice and faithfulness.
The Haphtarah is chanted on the melody of "Echa" - Lamentations.

TELL ME RABBI .....TISH`A B'AV

This saddest and most tragic day in the Jewish calendar is observed as a complete fast. As on Yom Kippur we abstain from eating, drinking, washing and bathing, wearing leather shoes, shaving, sexual relations and anointing (including cosmetics). Except for such books as Lamentations, Job, Talmudic selections dealing with the destruction of the Temple and the laws of mouning, we refrain even from Torah study since "The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart" (Psalms 19:9) It is usual to avoid all work for at least the first half of the day and to spend the time on low stools as in Shiva (mourning) reading the kinot.

The first tragic Tisha B'Av occurred on the day the spies returned to Moses and the Israelites with their evil report about the land of Israel.
The day commemorates the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE by the Babylonians and also the Second Temple in 70 CE. by the Romans. This was a disaster of tragic proportions not only religious in nature, but also signifying the loss of Jewish Independence and exile. Subsequently Tish'a B'av also became identified with the countless tragedies, oppression and cruelty which characterised Jewish existence over centuries.

In spite of Israel's independence in 1948 and the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 for the first time since 70 CE, the significance of Tish'a B'av has nevertheless been reaffirmed by thinkers and scholars : the Temple is not yet restored and the Temple Mount was appropriated to build a major Islamic shrine; there is no more appropriate occasion in the year to memorialise and mourn over all those occasions in our long history which were steeped in sorrow, suffering, torture and death culminating in the Holocaust in Europe.

EVENING SERVICE
Followed by Maariv for Tisha B'Av and Echa. The synagogue lights are dimmed and the Ark Curtain is put aside to create a mournful atmosphere. After Maariv The Book of Lamentations by the prophet Jeremiah is read, followed by Kinot - dirges.

SHACHARIT SERVICE:
The Tallit and Tephillin being religious adornments of beauty are not worn. The service follows the regular weekday pattern with additions for fast days. The Torah is read and the service is followed by the reading of Kinot - dirges.

MINCHA SERVICE:
The Tallit and Tephillin are worn; the regular Mincha service with additions for fast days and Torah reading ensues