Ha’azinu with Shabbat SHuvah readings (Audio Portion)
Ha’azinu means “give your ears” or “listen.” It is the opening stanza of Moshe’s last song that he spoke of at the end of the previous portion. Although the language is poetic, the graphic imagery is meant for easy remembrance and its warnings are definitely LITERAL. There is no other poetry done as well in Tanakh except perhaps Job 38-42.
The Shabbat between Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur is called the Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of Returning. While the weekly parsha remains the same it is the Haftorah which is altered as selections from Hosea, Micah and Joel are substituted at this time. It is Hosea’s call in his portion to “return” to Abba YHWH that gives this Shabbat its name, along with its position in the Days of Awe, a time of great repentance and returning as well.
On Shabbat Shuvah one is particularly encouraged not merely to rest as one would do on a normal Shabbat, but to focus intently on prayer, study, reflection and meditating on His Name and Word. As with Shavuot, marathon study sessions starting on Friday night are not uncommon.
