Parshat Ha'Azinu - An Alternative Mode of Inspiration
by Rabbi Lobel

(Deuteronomy; Chapter 32, Verse 7) "Remember the days of old, understand the years of generation after generation. Ask your father and he will relate it to you, your elders and they will tell you."

Moses, in his last words, tells the Jewish nation that remembering the days of old allows us to learn from the mistakes of the world to better ourselves. This is the classic cliché, "we must learn from history."

Rashi comments, "Remember the days of old - what G-d had done to those who preceded you and caused anger before him. Understand the years of generation after generation - if you have not set your heart upon the past to learn its lessons, understand the years of generation after generation, and recognize what the future may hold. G-d has the power to do good to you, and to give you, as a portion, the days of Messiah and the World to Come."

Moses understood that we don't always learn from our past. History does repeat itself, perhaps not exactly but in similar fashion. Though "the times, they are a' changin," and the world remains unpredictable, mankind's desires and agendas remain the same.

Moses teaches us that to follow the Torah in an unadulterated and uncompromising fashion, one can use an alternative approach to inspire himself - Focus on the fact that G-d has the ability "to do good to you."

The theme in the Rosh Hashana prayers is proclaiming G-d's kingship over the entire universe. We start the services with "Hamelech... O King, who is sitting upon his high lofty throne." The Amidah, the silent prayer, proclaims G-d's complete dominion over the world. This theme is not meant to build G-d's ego, G-d forbid. Rather, it is meant to inspire ourselves to understand G-d's total control and to inspire us to truly have an uplifting new year. Even if we cannot learn from our past mistakes of mankind and ourselves, focusing on the greatness of G-d accomplishes the same result.