Moses’s Swan Song

While there is no plot twist in this parashah, there is a clear deviation in literary style! Haazinu can be literally translated as “listen,” and this song, attributed to Moses, is an exhortation to the Israelites to pay close attention to his words. It is not a suggestion, but a command, spoken in the imperative form.

The idea that this parashah is a song delivered to the Israelites by Moses is reiterated in its format. Much like the Song of the Sea in Exodus, the formatting of the words and columns is stylistically different from the rest of the Torah. Instead of the traditional long columns of print, there are short stanzas that utilize poetic devices instead of stating outright what needs to be said. Moses refers to God as “The Rock! – whose deeds are perfect” and describes God as “an eagle who rouses its nestlings, gliding down to its young.” (Deuteronomy 32:4,11). These are not the typical ways that Moses refers to God in any other parashah we have read!

It would seem that this entire portion is emotionally charged to evoke the same strong feelings in the reader that must have been evoked in the Israelites when they heard this song.  There are so many layers of meaning. 

If we look at the name “Joshua” in previous portions, we find that he was originally called “Hosea” when he was sent to Caanan as a scout. “Hosea” can be translated as “salvation.” After Joshua became Moses’ second in command, Moses changed his name to Joshua, which can be translated as “God is Salvation.” But in this portion, to remind the Israelites of Joshua’s humble origins and his rise through the ranks, Moses uses the name Hosea once again.

In the same evocative manner, Moses recounts the Israelites’ past behaviors which angered God: “They incensed the Eternal with alien things/ vexed God with abominations/They sacrificed to demons” (Deuteronomy 32:16-17).

When have we ever seen a parashah with a similar description of God’s might? In Deuteronomy 32:42, God says, “I will make drunk my arrows with blood-/ as my sword devours flesh/ blood of the slain and the captive.”  

God is portrayed in this parashah as powerful in every way, but also compassionate, caring deeply for the Israelites. Moses’s song makes the reader look at God in a different light. Not only is God interested in being the one God but also wants to protect the honor and good name of God. If the Israelites fail, God fails, and God cannot let that happen.

It is almost as if we, as the readers, get a glimpse behind the curtain and see the struggles of God. Since we are made in the image of God, b’tzelem Elohim, it makes sense that we also have moments of internal conflict.