A Taste of Torah in honor of Shabbat
from Rabbi Avi Weiss

Parshat Haazinu - Sukkot Reflections
In honor of Dr. Elli Kranzler, Sweet Singer of Israel
October 2,3, 1998/13 Tishrei 5759

Moshe (Moses) advises the people of Israel that in times of difficulty the song in this week's portion will bear witness that the covenant with Israel "shall not be forgotten from the mouth of its offspring." (Deuteronomy 31:20,21)

No doubt Moshe had in mind the particular song of Ha'azinu.  But it can also be suggested that song in general has often given the people of Israel the power to overcome the most serious of challenges.  What is the magic of song that gives it such strength?

First of all, song goes beyond the intellectual word, stirring the soul.  As health is a function of physical as well as emotional well being--with the latter impacting powerfully on the former--so too does song have the spiritual energy to help us transcend the physical.  It allows us to do things we never believed we could and understand things we otherwise could never grasp.

Secondly, song, more than word, has the unique characteristic of bringing together people of disparate backgrounds.  From this perspective, song is a uniting force.  With the collective energy achieved through song, the unreachable can be reached.

Thirdly, song connects us with God.  While heaven and earth seem apart, song can bring heaven down to earth and lift earth up to heaven.  In this manner, song allows us to interface with God Himself.

In fact, while God speaks in the Torah, He never sings.  Of course, God loves humankind endlessly.  Still, it ought be noted that human love of God extends above the spoken word--lifting us closer to the Divine.

With this bond we become more Godly.  As God is infinite, so can the human being with the help of song, reach high, higher and higher still, realizing the impossible dream.

In no small measure, the Sukkah bears the primary quality of song--the ability to overcome.  Indeed, the Sukkah can be viewed as a symbol of the Jew, who, against all odds, has been able to survive.

As a child, I remember my bubbie (grandmother) singing the Yiddish song "A Sukkeleh."  It speaks of the resilience of the little  Sukkah that can withstand the toughest of winds.  The final words still ring in my ears:

"With the first course, with little force, my daughter begins to bring in.  She stands in her place and with tears on her face, says, Tata, (father) the Sukkah's falling in."  The father responds, "Don't be a child, don't be so riled, the Sukkah is standing so long.   We've lived in fear almost two thousand years and the Sukkah remains so strong."

May we be blessed with such transcendence.

SHABBAT SHALOM

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Rabbi Avi Weiss, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
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