HaAzinu’s prophecies about our enemies
The song of HaAzinu is a special prophecy that was transmitted to Moshe to pass on to B’nai Yisrael. HaAzinu describes the history that will unfold after Moshe’s death. In the song, we hear allusions to the days of the judges and the kingdoms and the troubles that our enemies Amon, Moav ,Sisra, Midian, the Plishtim and Aram will cause to B’nai Yisrael.
Rav Yoel Bin Nun points out that the exile is not mentioned in HaAzinu. Rather, the focus is on B’nai Yisrael in the Land of Israel.
In Dvarim 32:7 we read “Remember world history, study the generational epochs. Ask your father and he will relate to you, your elders and they will tell you.”
Rashi comments that you must remember how God treated those before you who angered Him including Enosh’s generation and the generation of the flood.
Hopefully, this will insure that we don’t make the same mistakes again.
The song does not mention B’nai Yisrael’s time in Egypt. Rather “He found them in the wilderness country, in arid shrieking desolation. He encircled them, He granted them understanding, He sheltered them like the pupil of His eye” (verse 10).
The song describes how B’nai Yisrael will be in danger from their neighboring enemies and then saved. These incidents do not include the format of destruction, exile, repentance and redemption. Rather, God is saving B’nai Yisrael for the sake of His great name.
Rav Bin Nun explains that today Israel also has neighbors like the ones described in the song (32:21), “lo am”, a non people and “goy naval”, a faithless nation who continue to bother us now that we are back in Israel and no longer in exile.
According to Rashi, a “non people” has no reputation, like the land of Kasdim- a non entity.
Sadly, this evokes the Hamas terrorists, as does 32:25 which reminds us of the atrocities of October 7:
Sword outside and terror within will claim young men and women, nursing infants and aged men.
May the prophecy in 32:43 be fulfilled:
…He shall avenge the blood of His servants, wreak vengeance on His enemies and reconcile His land, His people.
May we see peace in Israel and all of the hostages back at home.
