This week’s Torah portion, D’varim comes from the book of Deuteronomy. As we begin this last book of the Torah our focus turns to the words of Moses as the Israelites stand before the holy land. It is Moses’ “farewell” speech as he will not enter Israel.

Moses is talking to a new generation of Israelites that will be tasked with the challenges of transitioning from a nomadic people to one that will build cities and develop an agricultural society. He takes the opportunity to remind the Israelites that they must always respect and follow the words of God for that alone will allow them to enter into the land of Israel. He also provides accounts of the conquests they achieved to reinforce the importance and results of following God’s instructions.

It is a time of remembrance; it is a time of looking to the future, and it is a time of remembering the importance of God in the lives of Jews.

This Sunday is Tisha B’av considered the saddest day in Jewish history. It was on this day the destruction of both the first Temple and second Temple occurred. It was on this day that Jerusalem was destroyed in 136 CE, that Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492, that World War I started, and the first killings started at Treblinka. It is customary to mourn and fast on Tisha B’av for the losses we as a people have sustained. Why do we mourn? What have we lost? These questions are answered thusly: We have lost the feeling of God’s presence.

This week’s parsha in combination with Tisha B’av allows us to remember both the struggles and tragedies that befell the Jewish people and the importance of both God’s presence and His words to our continued existence.

As our congregation continues to write its own history, let us recognize that there will be times of struggle. But if we put into practice what we believe God has told us, if we continue to feel his presence among us, and if we work together to fulfill His precepts; then like the Israelites looking out over the Land of Milk and Honey, our future will be long and bright.

To that let us say amen.

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Much have I learned from my teachers, more from my colleagues,
but most from my students.
                                                          Talmud, Ta’anit 7b