All of us make mistakes. We fall short, say things we wish we hadn’t, or make choices that bring consequences we didn’t expect. Ha’azinu, Moshe’s final song, acknowledges this reality for the people of Israel. It describes how they will forget, turn away, and struggle as a result. But it also insists the story doesn’t end there.

Ha’azinu reminds us that every choice matters. Ignoring a problem or responsibility won’t make it disappear. What we do ripples through our friendships, our classes, our teams, and our community. Moshe closes by insisting that the Torah isn’t abstract—it’s life itself. Judaism isn’t just our history; it’s a living guide for how we choose and act every day.

This message is especially important in high school. Mistakes don’t erase the future—they challenge us to learn and rebuild. Studying hard for a class and still failing the test. Sitting in the cafeteria and realizing your friend group has shifted. Joining a new team or club and not feeling like you belong at first. Saying something to a friend and regretting it. Comparing one bad game or meet to everyone else’s highlight moments. These are real setbacks, but they aren’t final. One bad grade, one performance, or one wrong step doesn’t define you.

The lesson of Ha’azinu is clear: setbacks are not the end of the story. They’re part of the journey, shaping us into who we become.

Shabbat Shalom,

Lillian Zeitz, GJR