The Music of the Song

"Listen heavens and I shall speak and let the earth hear the words of my mouth".

This is the opening verse of the song that Moshe spoke to his people on the day of his passing.

The song is poetic, powerful and pointed.

It begins with an introduction followed by a description of Hashem’s kindness to the Jewish people. The song continues “And Yeshurun became fat and kicked”… “You forgot G-d who made you”. You began to serve idles that are new “Your fathers never imagined them (- trembled from them)”. Hashem says “I will hide my face from them I will see what will be their end”. What follows is a story almost as sad as Jewish history. Ultimately “The nations will cause His (- G-d’s) nation to rejoice, for he will avenge the blood of his servants… and he will atone his land, his nation.

Interestingly this song was sung by the Levites in the Holy Temple as The Kohanim would perform the Musaf Service on Shabbat afternoon. They would sing one of its six parts per week, completing the song every six weeks.

You must ask yourself isn’t this the wrong song for the occasion? Granted the beginning and end are inspiring, but could you imagine standing in the temple, the Levites trying to create a joyous atmosphere by singing “I said I will cause them to be forgotten, their remembrance will be destroyed from mankind”?!

In truth, the Levites were sending a powerful message.

The Levites were teaching you how to find joy in the midst of a tragic stanza of your life.

You must be patient until you discover the big picture, allow the song to unfold.

Don’t expect to wake up on a given day and hear a happy song playing in your ears. The song can be heard only if you come back next week for more.

Remember you are in the middle of a song. If you keep singing, keep playing the notes, you’ll discover the music. You’ll discover that there was music all along.

(Ha'a'zinu vol. 24)