It's not easy to explain a torah portion filled with blessings - and also curses.

Just the historical side could take volumes.

 

It says ...

Blessed are you in your towns and in the country -...

Which soon leads into

Cursed are you in your towns and in the country...

 

And what did the Israelites understand from these words of Moses anyway,

Remanded to them again on entry to Canaan - with 14 tough years Staring at them in the  face ?

 

As we now look to the imminent High Holy Days

Also staring at us in the ongoing pandemic

 

I would like to borrow a few words from my teacher Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach

Who said

 

For the King's birthday party the rich people brought expensive gifts

But the poor people had nothing

 

So they decided to sing and dance their way into the party

And the King waa happy with their song

 

Entering Canaan or

Entering a Synagogue

Or entering the new Jewish Year

 

Go with a song in your hearta and on your lips

And grab the blessings

 

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz