Today, the Day of Repentance

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Parashat Ha'azinu (Listen)
D’varim (Deuteronomy) 32:1-52
Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10, Joel 2:11-27
Shabbat Shuvah – A Time to Return

This Shabbat is unique—it’s called "Shabbat Shuvah," which means "Shabbat of Return" or "Shabbat of Repentance." It falls right before Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) and takes its name from the Haftarah reading in Hosea 14:1-2 (2-3 in the Hebrew Bible):

“Return, Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your wrongdoing. Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, ‘Take away all guilt and receive us graciously, so that we may present the fruit of our lips.’”

There’s a profound connection between the Parashah and Haftarah readings this week, both calling us to reflect on the nature of God and our relationship with Him. The Parashah opens with a powerful call:

Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; let the earth hear the words of my mouth! May my teaching fall like rain, my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.
Deuteronomy 32:1-4

These verses are a stunning reminder of God's nature: faithful, just, and perfect. No matter what we are facing, these words remind us that God is steadfast and His ways are just. He is our Rock—immovable, solid, and unshakable.

However, immediately after these affirming words, Moses issues a stern rebuke:

They have acted corruptly toward Him; to their shame they are no longer His children, but a warped and crooked generation. Is this the way you repay the LORD, you foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?
Deuteronomy 32:5-6 

As we reflect on Israel’s failures, it's crucial to turn the mirror back on ourselves. How often do we take God's grace for granted, living as though His patience has no end? As His followers, blessed by the gift of His Son and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are called to live out our faith daily. Yet, like Israel, we too often fail to fully surrender our lives to His will.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul gives a similar warning:

“And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—for He says,  ‘At a favorable time I listened to you,  and on a day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is ‘a favorable time,’ behold, now is ‘a day of salvation.’”
2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Paul reminds us that the opportunity to return to God is now. We should not delay repentance or take God’s grace lightly. Each moment we have is a gift, a chance to turn back to Him with a sincere heart. Just as God called Israel to repentance in the wilderness, He calls us today, urging us not to take the grace that was given to us for granted.

Turning back to our Parashah, as we continue to read, we find a list of wrongdoings that the children of Israel were guilty of. However, even amidst Israel's failings, the Lord promises to vindicate His people:

“For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free. He will say, ‘Now where are their gods, the rock they took refuge in, the gods who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up to help you! Let them give you shelter! See now that I, I am He! There is no god besides Me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of My hand.”
Deuteronomy 32:36-39

God’s justice is perfect, and He alone has the power to judge. While His judgment may seem severe, it is also coupled with compassion for those who repent and return to Him. Just as He calls Israel to recognize their false gods and turn back to the true Rock, He invites us to set aside anything that distracts us from Him.

Moses ends this chapter with a powerful exhortation: 

Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to inherit.
Deuteronomy 32:46-47

These words are still relevant to us today. As James reminds us, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26), and we are all accountable to God for our actions (Romans 14:12). The challenge is not just in knowing the truth but in living it out daily. In this context, Paul's words to the Corinthians carry even greater weight. We must not take God’s grace in vain. We have no guarantee of tomorrow, so the call to repentance is immediate. The message is clear: return to God now, for His grace is available to all who seek Him. 

As we enter this special season of reflection and repentance, let us humble ourselves before God. We are called to return to Him with open hearts, fully recognizing His mercy and grace. The prophet Joel reminds us of this:

“The LORD thunders at the head of His army; His forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys His command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? ‘Even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’ Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity.”
Joel 2:11-13

As we prepare for the coming year, may we take this time to truly return to God, humbling ourselves and seeking His grace with sincerity and faith. Paul’s message in 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 echoes the urgency of Moses' call: now is the time to respond to God's grace. Let us not wait for another moment but seize the opportunity to repent and align our lives with His will.

Shabbat Shalom, and may we all experience His goodness in the year to come!

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran


Check out previous blogs on this parashah!

Did you know? — Lone Soldier

One Comment on “Today, the Day of Repentance”

  1. Rhonda Burns a friend in California that recently visited you forwards your messages to me. I in turn keep my friends and associates here in Texas advised on the current issues Israel confronts today. My prayers are for God’s grace, blessings, and wisdom will be poured out on Israel and it’s people as they return to, accept and worship the one true God.

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