Parshat Ha’azinu: The Neshama’s Cry to Return Home

As we approach Erev Shabbat Shuva, the first Shabbat of the new year and the one closest to Yom Kippur, we are gifted with a sacred moment: the opportunity to wake up our Neshama and draw close to Hashem.

This is not just another week. It’s a time when every moment holds potential. Every thought, every tefillah, and every tear can tip the scales in Shamayim.

Waking Up with Yonah's Storm

In Sefer Yonah, which we read on Yom Kippur afternoon, Yonah flees Hashem’s command and boards a ship. While a violent storm rages, Yonah sleeps deep in the belly of the ship. The sailors wake him, crying, "How can you sleep? Arise and call out to your G-d!"

This cry echoes through the generations. How can we sleep? The Yamim Noraim are here. Now is the time to call out, “Kotveinu b’Sefer Chaim—inscribe us in the Book of Life.” Now is the time to awaken from spiritual slumber and reconnect with our divine purpose.

Parashat Ha’azinu: Listen, My Soul

In Parashat Ha’azinu, Moshe Rabbeinu recites a poetic song before his death. He begins, "Ha’azinu haShamayim va’adabeirah, v’tishma ha’aretz imrei fi"—Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.

Chazal teach that the heavens are addressed with the word “Ha’azinu”, a close and attentive listening, because Moshe—who was close to Heaven—speaks directly to them. The earth is further away and “hears” from a distance.

So too with man: we are made of a goof (body) and a neshama (soul). Our body is rooted in earth; our soul is from Heaven. This week, we call on the Neshama to listen closely. Ha’azinu haNeshama! Hashem is calling out to us, saying, “Dirshu Hashem b’himatzo”—Seek Hashem when He is near. And He is so very near during these Ten Days of Teshuvah.

A Story of Pain and Unforgiveness

A Rav once shared a heartbreaking story. A 70-year-old man came to him before Yom Kippur in tears. He described how, as a boy, he lost his father and grew up in dire poverty. At age 16, he worked in a factory during yeshiva break. On the final day, the owner accused him—falsely—of stealing a transistor radio. In front of all the workers, he was humiliated, not paid, and sent home.

More than 50 years later, he still could not forgive. “I was starving growing up, and never stole a crumb,” he cried. “I can’t forgive this man. The pain is still raw.”

The Rav reflected: What if Hashem said the same to us? After all the sins we commit, all the blessings we misuse, what if Hashem said, “I won’t forgive you. The wounds are open.”

But Hashem doesn’t say that.

Hashem’s Unbreakable Love

Hashem says, “Shuvu banim shovavim”—Return, My wayward children. Like a loving Father, Hashem calls us back. He says, “Shuva Yisrael ad Hashem Elokecha”—Return, Israel, all the way back to Me.

We are reminded of David HaMelech and his son Avshalom. Avshalom betrayed him in the most painful way. Yet, when he died, David cried out eight cries—seven to rescue his soul from Gehinnom, and the eighth to bring him into Gan Eden.

Why? Because no matter how far a child strays, a father never stops loving.

The Eagle of Ha’azinu

In Ha’azinu, Moshe describes Hashem:“Ke’nesher ya’ir kino, al gozalav yerachef”—Like an eagle arousing its nest, hovering over its young...

Chazal explain: the eagle is mighty, yet gentle with its chicks. It doesn’t startle them. It carries them high, protecting them from arrows. So too, Hashem in His strength descends to gently lift us up. On Yom Kippur, Hashem doesn’t wait for us to fly. He comes down to awaken us tenderly, with mercy and love.

What Is Kaparah? Covering and Confession

The word kaparah means “to cover.” But not in the sense of hiding. Rather, we come to Hashem and uncover our hearts, and in turn, Hashem covers over our sins.

Chazal say:“Mechaseh p’sha’av lo yatzliach”—One who covers up his sins will not succeed.But “Modeh v’ozev yerucham”—One who admits and forsakes them will be shown mercy.

That’s what we do on Yom Kippur—Vidui, confession. We repeat it ten times, paralleling the Aseret HaDibrot, recognizing how far we’ve strayed from Hashem’s commandments.

But we always begin:"Hashem Elokeinu v’Elokei Avoteinu"—Our G-d and the G-d of our fathers.And we say “Avinu”—Our Father, because first and foremost, Hashem is our loving parent who wants us to return.

Tamim Pa’alo: Trusting Hashem’s Plan

In Ha’azinu we read: “HaTzur tamim pa’alo”—The Rock, His work is perfect.We don’t always understand the challenges Hashem sends. But emunah means trusting that everything He does is for our ultimate good—even if we won’t understand until Mashiach comes.

Yom Kippur is the time to say: “Aval ashamnu”—Yes, we are guilty. We take full responsibility. But we are still Your children, and we want to come home.

Final Thought: The Cry of the Soul

As the gates begin to close on this year, Hashem is waiting. Waiting for our tears, our words, our hearts.Just like David HaMelech crying for Avshalom…Just like the eagle who stirs its young gently…Just like a Father who will never turn away a child who wants to come back…

Audio 2020