Parashat Devarim (Words)
4th of Av 5786 \ July 18, 2026
By Bobby Franklin
Torah: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27
Brit Chadashah: Revelation 3:1-13
Over the last six to eight months, I have had a very difficult time. As I am sure you all know, the birth of one's first child, while a true blessing, can also be among the most difficult times in one's life. For a variety of reasons that I do not want to go into, I had an extremely difficult time adjusting. I was anxious every single night and depressed during the day. I was always afraid to admit how much difficulty I was having; embarrassed and ashamed of struggling so much with something that was bringing everyone around me such great happiness. Eventually there came a point where I had to truly confront myself and honestly look at how I was doing. With help from my wife and a close friend, I was able to look objectively at how I was doing and make a decision to address it. I took two months off of work and went into an outpatient program, working everyday on helping myself to recover and develop new ways to deal with anxiety and depression. I have thankfully emerged a much stronger and more confident Bobby. I did not tell very many people about this because I was ashamed, and waiting to see how it turned out. But asking for help and making a change was the best decision I could possibly have made. And, in the passages we have read today, I see a call to do just that.
The Torah portion acts as a summary of everything that has happened since the Israelites left Egypt. In his address, Moses notes what has happened, how the Israelites have responded to it, and how they have or have not obeyed the will of G-d. He notes how the Israelites have been successful when they followed G-d, how they have struggled when they have not, and how G-d has been there for them. For me this is a great example of stopping to take stock of one’s own life. One of the things I learned in my program is to check the facts. Think factually about what has happened and then assess your emotional response to them, then combine those thoughts to think wisely. This will lead nicely into the Parshah next week, where Moses will advise the people to make the right choice and put their faith in G-d.
The Haftarah portion talks, as often happens, about the Israelites being unfaithful to G-d and therefore suffering as a result. G-d, through the prophet Isaiah, is being straight with his people. They have done bad, they should feel bad, and G-d wants them to change their ways. While this is not quite the talk I got from Bethany and my close friend, it is similar. Isaiah gives specific examples and advice to fix the evils that they have done. He is advising the Israelites to check their facts and be honest with themselves. This can be a hard thing to do without help from others. Being objective when thinking about things you are doing wrong does not come easily. Confiding in a spouse, a family member, a trusted friend, or a prophet appointed by G-d can be a good way to get an honest answer from someone who knows you. As long as you can trust them to tell you if you need help or are doing wrong.
For the Brit Chadashah portion I am going to do something I have never done in a Drash and talk about the Book of Revelation. The beginning of the book puts focus on seven communities of believers in Anatolian cities (modern Turkey). These cities are ancient, venerable cities that were at one time independent, all of which minted their own coinage. To call out the believers in these communities publicly for their failure is, admittedly, not the way I would advise being honest with a friend or loved one. But being frank despite the difficulty in confronting someone is essential in helping them to change themselves for the better.
No one wants to be the one to call others out for their problems. Especially when that someone is yourself. But it is essential, if you or someone you care about, are struggling and could use a fact check.