בס"דI

Torah in je leven integreren door reflectie en conversatie kan een ongelooflijk leuke en boeiende ervaring zijn. Het is een ontdekkingsreis waarbij oude wijsheid en tijdloze leringen tot leven komen in onze dagelijkse ervaringen. Door reflectie hebben we de mogelijkheid om diep in het rijke tapijt van Tora te duiken en er diepgaande inzichten en lessen uit te halen die resoneren met ons moderne leven. De vreugde ligt in de 'aha'-momenten, die momenten waarop een Torah-vers of -verhaal plotseling verbonden is met onze persoonlijke uitdagingen, aspiraties en waarden. En wanneer we met anderen over Torah praten, wordt het een interactief onderzoek, waarbij verschillende perspectieven en interpretaties ons begrip vergroten. Deze dialogen wekken vaak opwinding en intellectuele nieuwsgierigheid op, waardoor het leerproces zowel plezierig als bevredigend wordt. Tora wordt een levendig en dynamisch deel van ons leven, dat niet alleen leiding biedt, maar ook een bron van eindeloze fascinatie, verbinding en groei.

OPMERKING: Voel je niet verplicht om elke bron door te nemen of alle vragen te beantwoorden - tenzij je dat wilt. Zelfs één bron of één vraag geeft je genoeg stof voor discussie en meditatie. Geniet ervan!

Some thoughts about Parshat Devarim

“These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel…”
(Deuteronomy 1:1)

The book of Deuteronomy opens with a long speech—Moses’s final words to the people of Israel. Much of this speech is rebuke, a reminder of past failures. And yet, our sages tell us it was delivered with love, respect, and extraordinary wisdom.

But here’s something curious: early in Moses’s journey, he claimed, “I am not a man of words… I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10). How is it that someone who described himself this way now becomes one of the greatest orators in history?

The Midrash Helps Us Understand

A parable is told about a peddler who declared in the marketplace that he had the finest merchandise—royal purple wool. When summoned by the king and asked what he sold, the peddler replied: “Nothing, my lord.” Why the change? He explained that while his goods were precious to ordinary people, they were “nothing” compared to the wealth of the king.

This is how our tradition explains Moses’s seeming contradiction. When speaking to G-d—the King of the Universe—Moses felt utterly mute. But when speaking to people, especially when tasked with helping them grow morally and spiritually, he became eloquent and clear.

Speech: A Divine Power

In Jewish thought, speech is not just a human function—it is a reflection of the divine. One of the names of G-d’s presence in the world, Malchut (Kingship), is directly associated with the gift of speech. And Moses, who led the people with clarity and holiness, drew from that same attribute.

This is a powerful lesson for everyone—Jew and Noahide alike. We are born with the capacity to speak, but true speech is much more than talking. It means using our words to build truth, to bring people closer to goodness, and to uplift the soul.

And when we speak to G-d? Sometimes we feel the words fail us. That’s why even the most righteous people say before prayer, “G-d, open my lips so that my mouth may declare Your praise.” Even if we recite familiar words, the ability to speak to the Divine is not something we should take for granted.

Access to the Infinite

A great rabbi once told a visitor: “I just met with a man who was an advisor to the President. He had access to the most powerful man in the world 24 hours a day. But I want you to know: even the simplest Jew has access to the Creator of the world—24 hours a day.”

That truth applies to all people who revere the One true G-d. Access to the Divine is not determined by status. It is determined by humility, sincerity, and clarity of purpose.

Denk nu na over de volgende vragen:

  1. Do I use my speech to clarify truth—or to obscure it?
  2. Am I as thoughtful with words to those I love as I am when I speak in public?
  3. How do I experience prayer—as a duty, or as a conversation with G-d?
  4. In what ways can I refine my speech to reflect the moral clarity I seek?
  5. Do I take time to listen for the words G-d may be placing on my lips?

May we learn to speak with courage, listen with humility, and use the divine gift of words to bring more light into the world.

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Shabbat Shalom!

Door rabbijn Tani Burton

Als je meer vragen wilt om over na te denken, ZIE DE ANDERE BLOGS VAN RABBIJN TANI BURTON OVER DE PARSHAT VRAGEN

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