Table Talk for Haazinu, Shabbat Shuvah, September 10-11, 2010

Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova!  I hope that everyone had an uplifting, inspiring Rosh Hashanah and I wish everyone a happy, healthy year. 

As our fall holidays progress, we are nearing the end of the book of Deuteronomy, and this week we have our second-to-last Torah portion in the entire Torah:  Haazinu.  Haazinu contains Moses's very last speech to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land and Moses dies, and this speech is in the form of a poem or a song.  (The words for poem and song are the same in Hebrew:  Shira.)  This poem talks about the same central theme that we find over and over again throughout the entire book of Deuteronomy:  Good deeds and mitzvot will lead to blessing and life, evil deeds and disobeying God will lead to curse and death.   This poem also says that in the future, when the Israleites doubt God or veer off of the path of leading a good life, they could look back at this poem and be reminded of God's power, majesty, goodness, and truth. 

There is one verse in this week's Torah portion that seems particularly important to me this week. Chapter 32 verse 7 reads:

Remember the days of old, consider the years of ages past.
Ask your parent, who will inform you, Your elders, who will tell you.


This verse teaches us the importance of listening to our parents and grandparents and all those who are older than us, because they have more wisdom than we do and there is a lot we can learn from them.  They have been alive much longer than we have so we should ask them to teach us.

In the spirit of this verse, this week's Table Talk questions are for children to ask their parents.  Kids, please ask your parents these and any other questions that come to mind.  After asking them these questions and having your discussion, let your parents (and/or grandparents) know how much you love them and appreciate them, and say "thank you" to them for teaching you.


Discussion Questions:
(1)  What does being Jewish mean to you?  What did it mean to you when you were a kid?  When you were a teenager? 
(2)  Do you have memories of Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur from when you were growing up?  What were they like?  What were services like?  Did your family have any special traditions?
(3) What is your favorite part of the High Holy Days?  What is your favorite prayer (or line from a prayer)?
(4) What kind of blessings do you hope for in the year to come?   What are you thankful for?
(5)  Was there anything that happened in the last year that you want to let go of in the year to come?
(6)  What is your New Year's resolution?  Why?