Song of Hope

The Torah climaxes in this last song.

וְעַתָּה כִּתְבוּ לָכֶם אֶת־הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת וְלַמְּדָהּ אֶת־בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל שִׂימָהּ בְּפִיהֶם לְמַעַן תִּהְיֶה־לִּי הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת לְעֵד בִּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

Therefore, write down this poem and teach it to the people of Israel; put it in their mouths, in order that this poem may be My witness at to the people of Israel.

Moshe is commanded to not only write down the song but to make sure that it is known among B’nei Yisroel. There is an importance that is being underscored. But what is the true message of the poem in this week’s parsha?

וְהָיָה כִּי־תִמְצֶאןָ אֹתוֹ רָעוֹת רַבּוֹת וְצָרוֹת וְעָנְתָה הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת לְפָנָיו לְעֵד

…and the many evils and troubles befall them—then this poem shall confront them as a witness, since it will never be lost from the mouth of their offspring.

The Torah seems to indicate that when B’nei Yisroel will go astray and follow afterthe desires of their heart, worshipping idols and floating His will- when the inevitable consequences come to pass and we are beset with calamity- we will review the content and message of this poem. What is the point though? Is this G-d saying, “I told you so!” Are we to interpret it as a cosmic gloating? That hardly seems likely.

וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה בְּאׇזְנֵי כׇּל־קְהַל יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־דִּבְרֵי הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת עַד תֻּמָּם׃

Then Moses recited the words of the following poem to the very end, in the hearing of the whole congregation of Israel.

The Nesivos Shalom points out that there is a stress here of telling us that the poem was given over until its very end. It would seem that the secret of the song lies in its end. What is it about?

There is a midrash which extolls the greatness of this Shira. It praises it as describing the past, the present, and the future. That it relates to This World and The Next.

What it talks about is Hashem’s initial interaction with Klal Yisroel. The great love which existed when He took us out of Mitzrayim; the great miracles that Hashem extended and how He brought us into Eretz Yisroel. 

There came a time though, where Klal Yisroel grew unappreciative of His favors and His presence. They abandoned him until in His wrath, He brought many afflictions. We were chased and beaten, pillaged and exiled. 

But then the tone of the song changes as G-d has compassion on His people once again. He takes up arms to avenge them for their blood which has been spilled. He can no longer bear the hurt they have suffered and he vows to visit upon their enemies commensurate with the wrongs they have done. 

הַרְנִינוּ גוֹיִם עַמּוֹ        כִּי דַם־עֲבָדָיו יִקּוֹם וְנָקָם יָשִׁיב לְצָרָיו        וְכִפֶּר אַדְמָתוֹ עַמּוֹ׃

O nations, acclaim this people!
For [God] will avenge the blood of these servants,
Wreak vengeance on opponents,
And cleanse this people’s land.

Says the Nesivos Shalom that nowhere is there mention of Klal Yisroel doing teshuva. This song is our guarantee that the bond that exists between us and Hashem cannot be severed. As bad as we will get as a nation, Hashem will never abandon us. He will use whatever means necessary to ensure our survival and He will redeem us in the end. 

That is the true message and hope of this song. When we are experiencing the worst that our enemies and anti-semites throw at us, we must remember the poem. Remember that we are Hashem’s beloved and He will reclaim us. Remember that He promised us that we have a destiny that will not be denied.

The Shira is meant as a song of Hope much more than a song of warning. It is our hope in G-d’s commitment to Redemption that will sustain us throughout the exile until He will bring us back again.

May we see that day soon.

Have a great Shabbos!