Daily Aliya for Haazinu, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe and Joshua teach this song to the Israelites. Moshe implores the people: "Pay close attention to this: it isn't an empty teaching; it is our life, and with it we will long endure on our land." G‑d then tells Moshe to climb up Mount Nevo, from where he will view the land of Israel from afar before he passes away.

Only if we make the Torah our life will we be worthy of occupying the land which G-d gave us. It's not a right, it's a privilege we need to constantly earn.

Daily Aliya for Haazinu, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Then G‑d will turn His wrath against Israel's oppressors. "I will make My arrows drunk with their blood, My sword will consume their flesh." At that time, when G‑d will avenge the blood of His servants, the nations of the world will sing the praises of Israel. With this, the song of Ha'azinu concludes.

The Parsha until this point is written (in a Torah scroll) in an unusual manner. This is a Tradition passed down through the generations from scribe to scribe. The only other portion of the Torah to be written differently from the rest of the Torah (and different from Haazinu as well) is the Song of the Sea in B'shalach.

Daily Aliya for Haazinu, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: If the nations were wise they would have understood that no nation could experience such utter devastation unless G‑d had completely abandoned them and delivered them to their enemies. Otherwise, "How can one enemy pursue a thousand of Israel and two put ten thousand to flight?" Rather, the Israelites' misery came as a result of their actions, which resembled those of Sodom and Gomorrah, actions which G‑d chronicled from the start. However, the time will then come when G‑d will have a change of heart regarding His people. At that point He will ask them to note that all the gods which they had patronized were unable to help them when He unleashed His punishments against them, for only G‑d has the ability to injure or heal, cause death or bring life.

Our challenge is to contemplate the above and understand the many lessons contained in G-d's (and Moshe's) words. The bottom line is that although Israel strays from the proper path, G-d will not abandon us, and He will rally to our side in the face of our enemies, if we would only realize this and appreciate the awesome power of G-d.

Daily Aliya for Haazinu, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: G‑d became incensed by His children's behavior. He decided to hide His face from them, and to send upon them invading armies, wild beasts, plagues, demons, and famine. If not for the obtuse nations who would have foolishly taken credit for Israel's demise, G‑d would've utterly destroyed the Jewish nation.

The Gemara, in a play on words, tells us that the concept of Hester Panim (hiding G-d's face) is personified in Esther (Hester/Esther), who lived in exile and at a time that G-d chose not to reveal himself in open ways and generally operates through nature.

Daily Aliya for Haazinu, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe then speaks of the Israelites' future. G‑d settled them in the Land of Israel, the "peak of the earth." He provided them with their every need, the choicest produce, fruit and cattle. But Israel "became fat and rebelled," and abandoned the G‑d that made them and provided them with all their wealth and fortune. Instead they strayed after idols and abominable activities.

Even from this poetic - essentially non-halachic context, we learn things of a halachic nature. Because the Torah uses the expression: To suckle honey from a rock, we are taught that honey has the status in halacha of a liquid. Because of its unique physical proper ties, honey might have been considered as a solid food rather than a drink.

Daily Aliya for Haazinu, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe beseeches the Israelites to contemplate their history, starting with the generation of the Tower of Babylon. When that generation sinned, G‑d could have destroyed humanity, but instead chose to spare them, only because of Israel -- G‑d's portion -- which was destined to arise from those people. In the desert, in a "desolate, howling wasteland," G‑d enveloped and protected the Israelites with clouds, caring for His nation as an eagle tenderly cares for his offspring, treating them like the pupil of His eye. "G‑d alone guided them, and no other god was able to disturb them."

Rashi mentions several ways that eagles be have towards their offspring for their benefit. Apparently, eagles are extremely protective, and they do many things meant to prepare their fledglings for their adult lives, as well. The Torah's analogy is thus very appropriate.

Daily Aliya for Haazinu, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: The bulk of this week's Torah reading, Ha'azinu, consists of a poetic song delivered by Moses and Joshua. The song is a prophecy of what will transpire to the Jews – the good and the bad – until the end of times. The portion concludes with G‑d commanding Moshe to climb Mount Nevo, from where he would see the Promised Land before his passing.

Aliya Summary: The heavens and earth, permanent fixtures of this world, are called upon to be witnesses to the words which Moshe will now say. The Torah, Moshe declares, is life to this world, much as rain and dew are to vegetation. G‑d is righteous and just, and all corruption stems from His children, who are thankless and lack the wisdom to recognize the source of all their blessing.

Daily Aliya for Nitzavim-Vayelech, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Because, G-d explains, I am bringing the people to a Land flowing with milk & honey, the People will eat in contentment and turn from G-d. The Torah, however, will not be completely forgotten from the lips (and hearts) of future generations. Moshe wrote the Torah on that day (Rambam says that he wrote 13 Torahs - one for each tribe and one in the care of the Kohanim/Leviim) and taught it to the People. G-d "commanded" Yehoshua to be strong and courageous in his new role as leader. Moshe completed the writing of the Torah. (Some say that Moshe even wrote the final 8 p'sukim of the Torah, which discuss his death.) Moshe commands the Leviim to take the Torah and place it at the side of the Aron.

Daily Aliya for Nitzavim-Vayelech, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: G‑d commanded Moshe to enter the Tabernacle together with Joshua. G‑d appeared to them both and informed them that a time will come when the Israelites will abandon G‑d and stray after alien gods. At that time, G‑d will hide His countenance from the nation, and they will be subjected to much evils and troubles. Therefore, G‑d says, "Write for yourselves this song, and teach it to the Children of Israel. Place it into their mouths, in order that this song will be for Me as a witness..." This 'song' is narrated in next week's Torah reading.

We are commanded to write "The Song" (namely the whole Torah), to teach it to the people, so that it should serve as a testament among the People of Israel. This is mitzva #613, to write a Sefer Torah. Our Sages include in this mitzva the significance of acquiring books from which to learn Torah. Since the Torah itself specifies that the "purpose" of writing a Torah scroll is to learn and teach from it, then writing, buying, acquiring all learning texts would be in the spirit of this mitzva.

Daily Aliya for Nitzavim-Vayelech, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe summoned Joshua and told him to be strong and courageous, for G‑d will be going before him and will not forsake him. Moshe then wrote the entire Torah and gave it to the Kohnaim (priests) and the Israelite elders. Moshe gives the commandment of Hakhel (assembly), whereby every seven years, during the holiday of Sukkot which follows the Sabbatical year, all men, women, and children assemble and the king publicly reads sections of the Torah.

As the new leader of the Jews, Joshua gets the perfect advice from Moshe, a line that many use today: "Be strong and courageous" (Chazak V'ematz). Be steadfast and strong with your morals, ideals and behavior, and be courageous in your faith in G-d and the future. Present and future both addressed, and a forward-looking encouragement, where the fact that it's forward looking is just as important as the encouragement itself, both to Joshua and to us today and every day.

Daily Aliya for Nitzavim-Vayelech, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe told the Jewish people that they have been given free choice to choose between good and evil, life and death. Their choice will determine whether they are the beneficiaries of G‑d's blessings or curses. Moshe implored the Israelites to choose life. Moshe informed the people that he is 120 years of age on that day, and he is not permitted to cross the Jordan River together with them. Instead, Joshua will lead them, and G‑d will go before them and destroy their enemies. Moshe enjoined the Israelites to be strong and not fear their enemies.

From ou.org: The concept of Free Will is beautifully expressed in the concluding Aliya of Nitzavim. It marks the difference between human beings and all other creations. The sun and the moon "fulfill" G-d's commands without conscious decisions. A bee doesn't think things out and decide to pollinate a flower. Nor does a lion attacking a weak zebra evaluate the morality of his act. Only humans have the choice to do good or evil. G-d recommends and pleads with us to choose Life and Good, but He leaves the choice to us. That is why we are accountable for our actions; and that is why we stand before G-d in judgment on Rosh Hashana, while animals do not.

Daily Aliya for Nitzavim-Vayelech, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: When G‑d gathers His people's exiles, the Israelites will once again serve G‑d, and will be blessed with abundance in the work of their hands, the fruit of their wombs, the fruit of their land, and the fruit of their livestock. Moshe enjoined the people to follow the mitzvot, informing them that "it is not beyond you nor is it remote from you. It is not in heaven... It is not across the sea.... Rather, it is very close to you, in your mouth, in your heart, that you may do it."

The last three words of the portion are very instructive. Thoughts, words, deeds. Teshuva, repentance, certainly contains all three elements. One must act repentant, by stopping to do the particular sin and by doing the mitzva. He must sincerely regret having done wrong and accept the proper path for his future. This is in the realm of thought. And Verbal confession to G-d is an essential ingredient of the T'shuva process. So too, one can see that many mitzvot - the whole Torah, really, is kept with words, thoughts, and deeds. This isn't really an either-or situation. The Aliya can apply both to the general and the specific.

Daily Aliya for Nitzavim-Vayelech, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe informed the Israelites what will occur after they are exiled from their land due to their sins. Eventually they will wholeheartedly return to G‑d, and G‑d will gather them from the furthest reaches of the heavens and return them to the land of their forefathers. At that point, Moshe says, "G‑d will 'circumcise' your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you may love the L-rd your G‑d with all your heart and with all your soul."

There's another way we can look at things here: Teshuva is a gift from G-d. He doesn't have to command it, He just has to let it be possible, and we should jump at the opportunity. The Torah doesn't have to tell us to repent, just how to do it. Yet Vidui, verbal confession, is a positive commandment. That means that doing something good for ourselves (eliminating harmful behavior) is not only good for us inherently, but also earns us double points (could this be the origin??).

Daily Aliya for Nitzavim-Vayelech, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: In this week's reading, Nitzavim-Vayelech, Moshe gathers the Israelites on the day of his passing to enter them into a covenant with G‑d. He warns of the exile and desolation of the Land that will result when Israel abandons G‑d's laws, but assures them that they will eventually repent, and G‑d will then return His people to the Holy Land. This Parsha also talks about freedom of choice and the mitzvah of teshuva (repentance). Moshe transferred leadership to Joshua and wrote a Torah scroll which he handed over to the Levites. Moshe commanded the Israelites to gather following every Sabbatical year.

Aliya Summary: On the final day of his earthly life, Moshe gathered all the Israelites -- men, women, and children -- to enter them into a covenant with G‑d, establishing the Israelites as G‑d's exclusive nation. Moshe warned the Israelites not to be tempted by the idolatrous lifestyles of the Egyptians and the other sundry nations through which they had passed in the course of their travels. Moshe warned of the dire consequences which will befall the individual, family, or tribe, which would forsake their covenant with G‑d. This section concludes with the concept of communal responsibility for not appropriately punishing individual sinners.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe reminds the Jews of all the miracles which have been their lot from when G‑d took them out of Egypt until that very day. He concludes by saying that it is therefore incumbent upon them to follow G‑d's covenant.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: This Aliya continues with the aforementioned blessings, and then launches a lengthy description of all the maledictions and suffering which will befall the Jews when they neglect the mitzvot.

"But, if we don't listen to G-d..." Thus begins the "Tochacha". The admonition against disobedience of Torah. There is a custom of reading this part in a low voice because of how devastating it is to realize that G-d needs to warn us in such graphic terms, what will happen if the Jewish People do not remain faithful to Him. Regrettably, we need these harsh words of reproach. Unfortunately, they have turned out to be prophetic more than once. The Tochacha is contained within one Aliya (resulting in the longest Aliya in the Torah) so as not to prolong the discomfort in hearing it.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The Jewish people are instructed to proclaim blessings and curses on Mts. Grizzim and Ebal. The elders of the Levite Tribe together with the Holy Ark stood between the two mountains, and six tribes were stationed atop each mountain. The Leviim and priests faced each mountain alternately, and stated the blessing and curses. At the end of the Aliya, we are told of the bountiful blessings which will shower us if we hearken to G‑d's commandments.

The setup for this entire exercise is curious: The fact that mountains represent blessings and curses is strange enough, but to have the tribes stand on one of the mountains is even stranger. If the mountains represent distinct and mutually exclusive choices we make in our lives, then why have (seemingly) random tribes stand on each of them? This requires much more research, but what strikes me in all of this is the similarity to many motivational speakers who make you visualize and verbalize your dreams and goals. It's one thing to study, talk and imagine something, and quite another to be actively involved in it, probably why schools use this method to teach children about important concepts. Standing on these mountains makes it more real and mandates participation. This might explain the importance of Shul, regardless of actual participation in the davening (service), much like the tribes standing on the mountain and answering "Amen", their attendance (and ours in Shul) does more than we may know or realize.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The Jews are instructed to gather large stones when they cross the Jordan River. These stones were to be plastered, and the entire Torah was to be engraved upon them. Another set of stones was also to be inscribed with the entire Torah, and be set on Mt. Ebal.

Moshe, the kohanim and Leviim, say to all the people, "on this very day you have become G-d's nation". Rashi says that the Torah emphasized "this very day" to teach us that our commitment to Torah and mitzvot should be as if we have entered into a covenant with G-d on this very day - everyday. We are challenged to refreshen our Judaism constantly.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe admonishes the Jews to observe G‑d's commandments; reminding them that they have selected Him to be their god, and He, in turn, has chosen them to be His holy and treasured nation.

To follow in G-d's footsteps means to develop and practice various traits that are attributed to G-d. As He is called merciful, so too shall we be merciful. As He is called holy, so too must we behave in ways that lead to our becoming holy. From general traits, we can also use specific examples - as G-d clothes the naked, visits the sick, buries the dead, comforts the grieving... so too must we do those kinds of things.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: During Temple times, Jewish farmers were required to separate from their produce several different tithes. These were distributed to the priests, the Levites, the poor, and one tithe which was eaten by its owners in Jerusalem. The different tithes were not all given each year, rather there was a three-year cycle. In this Aliya, the Torah gives the procedure to be followed on the day before Passover during those years which followed the conclusion of a cycle. The farmer was to declare that he has performed all his tithing duties and then beseeches G‑d to bless His people and the Land.

The Passuk says: "I have not transgressed Your mitzvot, and I have not forgotten..." Says the Sfat Emet - I have not forgotten that You are the One Who has commanded me to do the mitzvot. Furthermore, the statement implies that the individual did only that which he was required to do, and did not (often) go beyond the call of duty. Or perhaps we did a mitzva sort of like it is supposed to be done, but maybe without full intent (i.e. prayers). This is an important message as we approach Rosh HaShana, when we have to answer for what - and how - we do mitzvot.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tavo, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: The Israelites are commanded to bring the first of their fruit to the Temple, and to deliver all tithes to their proper recipients. Moshe explains how the blessings and curses are to be proclaimed on Mts. Grizzim and Ebal when the Jewish nation enters into Israel. He then details the blessings they will receive for following the commandments of the Torah, and the calamities which will result from disregarding them.

Aliya Summary: This Aliya introduces us to the mitzvah of bikurim, the requirement to bring one's first fruits to the Holy Temple. This mitzvah applies to fruits and produce grown in the land of Israel, and only those for which the land of Israel is praised: wheat, barley, dates, figs, grapes, pomegranates and olives. When in the Temple, the owner of the fruits recites a brief thanksgiving prayer to G‑d and presents the produce to the priests.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tetzei, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Some commandments discussed in this Aliya: Building a safety fence around a flat roof; the prohibitions against sowing mixtures of seeds, plowing with a mixed pair of animals, or wearing a garment which contains a mixture of wool and linen (shatnez); wearing tzitzit; the penalty for a husband who defames his wife; the punishment for adultery; the penalty for rape; and certain prohibited marriages.

Of all the things for the Torah to be concerned about, requiring a person who builds a house with a flat roof to build a fence so that people won't fall off seems a bit irrelevant to most people. But the Midrash explains that this is meant to be a global inclusive obligation to address all hazards we may create. That includes driving unsafely, smoking near others, or any other activity that might endanger others. But this also extends to all commandments, requiring us to prevent accidental transgressions. That's why, for example, we shouldn't touch pens on Shabbat, because we may accidentally write, etc. It turns out that a seemingly exclusive rule ends up providing us with all-inclusive direction.

Daily Aliya for Ki Tetzei, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Commandments discussed in this Aliya: Speedy burial of the deceased, returning a lost object to its owner, aiding a neighbor when his animal has fallen because of its burden, the prohibition against cross-dressing, and the obligation to send away a mother bird before taking its chicks or eggs.

This Aliya stresses caring in general. We must care about others' lost objects (to the point where we must take care of it until they claim it), we must help others reload their donkey if the load fell (that might extend to flat tires or accidents), and we must care about a mother bird's feelings when taking her eggs. Does it mean that if we follow these rules we care about other people and birds? Not necessarily, but as Rav Dessler explains, the more we do for others, the more we like them (contrary to logic dictating the opposite). Why wait for someone to do something for you in order to appreciate them, when you can do something for them and get the same (if not better) result!