Read It Again And Again

Last week Rabbi Citrin led an energetic session on Deuteronomy 31: 10-16

There were two ideas of focus – one was the commandment to read “this” every seven years. Why 7 years was a significant point? It was noted that the seventh year may have coincided with the sabbatical year of rest for the land making it easier for an extended pilgrimage. Every seven years would assure that all generations would hear the message. “Repetition is reinforcement.”

Since now we read Torah every year there was some question about when it changed from every seven years to every year. And now since everyone reads it at the same pace it is still ‘theoretical’ that we gather as a single community even in the Diaspora to hear Torah.

The reading out loud to everyone also insured that everyone had an opportunity to know the commandments and that is important for the greater community and all generations.

Then we moved on to discuss this statement that says that the Israelites will ‘go astray’. Does that mean that we are set up for failure? Is it High Expectations for the Unattainable? OR a Statement of Reality?

There were many hands in the air at the end of the hour so it is certain to be part of the topic this week.