Dear Friends,

In this week’s Torah portion, Va’etchanan, Moses pleads with G-d to let him enter the Promised Land. His heartfelt request is denied. Yet shortly afterward, we receive one of the most powerful and defining statements in all of Judaism: 

“Hear O Israel, the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One.”

This is the Shema, the Jewish declaration of faith. It reminds us that even when our prayers seem unanswered, we are never unheard. Moses turned his longing into love, teaching us to serve G-d with all our heart, soul, and strength. 

There’s a beautiful story about Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, a great Chassidic leader from the 19th century. One day, he watched a young boy trying to say the Shema. The boy stumbled over the words and became frustrated. Rabbi Shmuel gently told him, “When a Jew tries to say the Shema with sincerity, even the angels pause to listen. G-d doesn’t just hear the words, He hears the heart behind them.” 

In life, we all stumble. We forget words, miss steps, and feel inadequate. But G-d isn’t looking for perfection, He’s looking for connection. When we speak to Him with honesty, He listens deeply. 

As we read Va’etchanan, let’s not just say the Shema, let’s live it. 

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Zushe Cunin