Parashat Ha’azinu

In 2023, the 950 Jews of Turin finished Yom Kippur and broke their fast at 7:47p.m. Meanwhile, a 19 minute drive across town, one of the biggest teams in international football, Juventus, were about to kick off in the Champions League. And yet it was their opposition that caught the headlines, because seven of them and their coach had also been fasting. Maccabi Haifa had flown in from Israel for one of their biggest games in their history. A game that would have been one of the highlights of their careers. And yet these seven players were medically only allowed to play limited game time. They gave up this opportunity of a lifetime to fast on Yom Kippur. 

When you think of God, what do you picture?

The Torah portion this week is just one chapter. One poem. And yet in the span of just 43 verses, God is referred to as a rock, a warrior, an eagle, a father, a mother, a provider, an executioner, and a healer. There’s a powerful message here. There are a variety of images because humans need a variety of ways to connect to God.

Yom Kippur is an annual reminder that a lot of Jews care. A lot more than we may realize. Some Jews may come across as having no interest in Judaism or God. But in reality, a lot of Jews connect to their own unique image of God, even if it’s one that we may not appreciate. It may not be the traditional one in our minds. But the Torah is reminding us that everyone has their own way of connecting with a higher power. Everyone feels the humility of being a mortal being and, at this time of year especially, they want to believe in something more.

Shabbat shalom and have a meaningful Yom Kippur