Torah I Learned from my father's
(Rabbi Harry Nelson) Tanach
Shared by Rabbi David A. Nelson,
Temple B'nai Shalom, Benton Harbor
My father penciled in the margin in his own handwriting of Joshua chapter 22:5 five points of Moses’ law: The context is that Joshua is warning the tribes of Gad, Reuven, and Chatzee Menashe to remain loyal to their brethren as they prepared to settle in Transjordan.
“Be very careful to fulfill the instruction and teaching of Moses, the servant of the Lord enjoined upon you.”
There are 5 instructions:
1. to love the Lord your G-d
2. to walk in all His ways
3. to keep His commandments
4. to hold fast to Him
5. to serve Him with all your heart and soul
Then Joshua blessed them and they went to their homes
.
These 5 prescriptions could not be more timely as we find ourselves in our homes, blessed by the gift of Zoom, praying that we will be able to meet as a Jewish community the greatest challenges that we have ever encountered. It will be our love of Torah and its blessings that give us safe passage in our new unasked for journey. Chag Sameach.