this weeks Torah Portion is a poetic admonition that Moses addressed to Israel before he passed away from this world. He said…Gather to me all the leaders of your tribes and your officers that I may speak these words to them and call the heavens and the earth as witnesses for them. Listen… give ear O’Heaven and Hear O’Earth. Moses was attached to the heavens… he was tuned in to the morality and the responsibility that he had as a leader of the nation of Israel. there is a difference between hearing and listening. when we hear we are the masses…connected to the physical and the mundane… when we listen we are connected to the morality in the highest and purest form. we are all leaders… we have some sort of influence on our children… our friends… our colleagues… we cannot adhere to the false pretense to do as I say and not as I do… if we want to have a positive influence in this world and live up to our truest potential… we must set an example by choosing to do Right! inspired from: Torah on the line. 905 731 7777

This week’s Torah portion establishes how Moses finished putting the Torah into writing handing it to the Levites to be placed in the Ark in the Holy of Holies! Moses lived to be 120 years old… he continued his service to the Jewish people until the day of his passing. all encompassing the nation of Israel as one with G-D encouraging a connection of authority and rebuke to those who needed it. we all stand this day before the Lord our G-D! acknowledging that Jewish unity breaks through social distinctions, and the blessings of Rosh Hashana will spread itself throughout the year!

this week’s Torah Portion teaches us that You are all standing Today before the Lord your G-D. on the day of Judgement! the best opportunity of the year to return to the roots of our identity and to accept the sovereignty of

G-D and his kingship over Israel and over the world! each one fulfilling his task and his function. no place for arrogance, for a sense of superiority or exclusivity, each one completes everyone else by contributing something unique. Israel is one before G-D WHEN AND ONLY WHEN, EACH JEW FULFILS THE MISSION WHICH IS HIS ALONE. When the masks of self-deception are broken and this essential self-that he is a veritable part of G-D above -expresses itself in all details of his daily life, in thought, speech and deed.

Cf. Rambam, hilchot Gerushin, end of ch. 2.Tanya, Part 1, ch.2.