Farewell Speeches

My first post on this blog comes not much more than a week before I move to Cincinnati to begin my Ph.D. It is an exciting time, certainly, yet as all fortuitous ventures do, it leaves more questions than answers in the path ahead of me. My mind won’t grasp these things before I move, which is why I have to encounter things in the moment. Leaving New York (for the second time), though, is something I have tried to stretch out as much as possible and make some great memories! All this has me thinking about farewell speeches, which is what we encounter this week in Parshat Eikev (well, really throughout Devarim, too).

It strikes me every time I read almost anything in Devarim how many times it’s repeated that the Israelites are to love G!d. The Shema and V’ahavta are repeated later in this chapter, which did not
escape the notice of the rabbis, who record in the Mishnah and Talmud (tractate Berakhot) that the priests were reciting this daily (verses 13-21) as a part of their Shema prayer (along with Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Love propels people to listen and obey – not passively, but with an active understanding of a leader and their purposes.

This people had seen what G!d did for them – his strong work through a mighty hand and outstretched arm, used in bringing them out of the land of Egypt, and out of their years of slavery. G!d did not only save them, but he also punished their oppressers and pursuers. His love for his people was magnificent beyond a basic stance of protection. What did Israel do in response? We know the story too well – although we gladly celebrate and proclaim G!d’s victory and astounding love for his people each Pesach, the story wasn’t (and still isn’t) over. The Israelites doubted, complained, and sought a personal good that seemed right in the moment. So Moses also seeks for the people to remember their time wandering in the wilderness, and what the punishment was for those who perpetually disobeyed and rebelled against G!d and his delegates (verse 6).

Moses has set the stage for the memory of the Israelites, but it has been his life’s purpose to lead them to the promised land. Even though he will not enter this possession, he wants the people he has been leading to have their inheritance – and he knows this means they must obey G!d as he had covenanted with them at Mt. Sinai. This land flows with milk and honey (verse 9), promises to be fertile (verse 11), and most importantly, is watched over and cared for by G!d himself (verse 12), who has shown through his covenant that he wishes to prosper the work of the hands of his people.

These promises are good, and the people know from the words of Moses how they must have a relationship with G!d that will allow them to possess this great land of the covenant. But if we today aren’t following these commands, can we still rightfully possess the land and see the fulfillment of the promises? We are in the land again – that has been an answer to the prayers of many generations. Israel is still fertile – but do the people there and G!d’s people elsewhere truly love him with their entire heart, soul, and strength? Do they keep his commandments and statutes? Are they still under G!d’s protection or prone to his anger?

In the haftorah for the week (Isaiah 49:14-51:3), we read about the results of Israel’s disobedience – and promises of G!d as he still desires for his people to return to a loving relationship with him. Today, G!d’s people are no better or stronger than those wandering in the desert or who were exiled from the land. Yet, as he always has, G!d reaches out to us with compassion and unearned gifts of life. He even speaks of a time beyond death in this parsha (as verse 21 may be interpreted). G!d still asks first for our love, and for obedience stemming from that love. It is not a list of completed mitzvot that will catch his attention, but love and a desire to have a relationship with him.