Lesson #17 - "Beware Lest Thou Forget"

The Children of Israel did so poorly keeping a "spiritual" standard that Moses endeavored to give them a more "physical" standard. The advantage of having physical items as "anchors" to keep reminding us of spiritual goals is evident and useful. However, to many people like the Children of Israel, the physical aspects became more important than what they should be reminders of.

Examples of this are the "Tfillin" (phylacteries) and "Mezuzah." They are in common use for religious Jews in keeping the word of the Lord as "frontlets before your eyes." There was an explanation of these in the previous Lesson #5 supplement.

The term "Rock of Salvation" is precious in Jewish terminology. As in many terms or phrases, their familiarity in the present tense will be a mindful leap to their full intended meanings in the future.

"The Synagogue Prayers. During the morning service the entire Hallel is said on each of the eight days and a special addition, Al Ha-Nissim (For the miracles... ) is made in every Amidah as well as in the Grace After Meals. The reading from the Torah describes the sacrifices brought by the princes at the dedication of the sanctuary, and the kindling of the candelabrum; special haftarot are prescribed for the Sabbaths of Hanukkah. In the Ashkenazi rite, a hymn called Ma'oz Zur (O Fortress, Rock of my salvation) is sung. This song originated in Germany, probably in the 13th century. It consists of five stanzas, each of which describes a period in Jewish history, the last being the Hanukkah miracle. A final stanza is a prayer for the coming of the Messiah."

"During Remembrance Day itself, memorial services are held at public monuments to the fallen and in military cemeteries throughout Israel. All flags are lowered to half-mast. Special prayers include the recital of Psalm 9:"For the leader, on the death of the son," and Psalm 144: "Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, who traineth my hands for war and my fingers for battle."

"ADON OLAM ("Lord of the world"). . . . is a rhymed poem of unknown authorship, which was probably written in Babylon around the tenth century. The present version, as it appears in the Ashkenazi service, consists of ten verses. The first six speak of God the eternal, all-powerful and ever- ruling Creator of the universe. The next four verses are more personal in nature. Here, God is much closer to the individual worshiper, his hopes and his fears. "He is my God, my Redeemer, my Rock in time of trouble." Because the worshiper is confident of God's power and also aware of His personal concern, he closes his song by saying:

Into His Hand I entrust my soul

Both while I sleep and when I am awake

And with my soul, my body too

The Lord is with me, I shall not fear.

In many congregations, Adon Olam is sung at the conclusion of the Musaf service for Sabbath and holidays." Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.

There is another sensitive parallel to be seen in the lesson Moses learns as he struck the rock, giving "Living Water" to the Israelites - and was reminded who the real "Rock of Salvation" was, with Peter, a Greek nickname for Simon - son of Jonah, who sinks in the Sea of Galilee. He cries out to the Lord, "Save me" and is probably being taught – as Moses was – who the real "Rock of Salvation" was. The Lord highest trusted servants on the earth were honored with titles or names emulating their Master. . . and that was just the point - HE is the master.

As to Moses death and burial, it is interesting that the Moselms have venerated a place, West of the Jordan river, at the beginning of the mouth of the canyon that leads up to Jerusalem from the Dead Sea called "Nebi Musa" where Moses was buried.

The Jews are still waiting for the prophets Moses and Elijah to return. Two seats are traditionally and historically reserved for them in every synagogue. At one of the early meetings of the "Bnai Shalom" group (Jewish/Mormon cultural group), the late Apostle Legrand Richards once remarked that he saw two beautifully decorated chairs fastened to the wall of a synagogue he was visiting. Knowingly, he asked the Rabbi, "What are those two chairs for?" The reply came quickly that they were being kept for Elijah and Moses. Elder Richards, seizing the moment and using his wonderful sense of humor said, "Get them down, they’ve already been here!"