Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; filled with food, they became heavy and sleek. They abandoned the God who made them and rejected the Rock their Savior. – Deuteronomy 32:15

Today's Scripture Reading (February 2, 2022): Deuteronomy 32

Puppeteer Shari Lewis and her puppet, Lambchop, introduced a generation of kids to "The Song that Doesn't End." The song became a popular way of passing the time and driving parents mad, with its cyclical melody that literally never ends. The song contains one verse, and the end of the verse naturally connects with the first line. The simple lyrics repeat over and over again.

This is the song that doesn't end.
Yes, it goes on and on, my friend.
Some people started singing it not knowing what it was,
and they'll continue singing it forever just because...

With no musical exit available, the only possible ending to the song was simply to come to an abrupt stop. Shari Lewis would often use the song as a cautionary tale, warning her puppets not to sing the song because there is no exit. But alas, someone always disobeyed the advice, and they would be stuck singing "The Song that Doesn't End."

Moses addresses Jeshurun as he sings his Song over Israel. Jeshurun was a poetic name for Israel which means "The Upright One." The name has been poetically used to describe the People of Israel, the Land of Israel, or even the Patriarch Jacob. Moses uses the poetic term to describe the fall of Israel, the very one who God had called Upright rebelled against him. They grew fat and heavy and abandoned their God.

In the writings of Baal Shem Tov, the Rabbi suggests that the term Jeshurun (or Yeshurun) comes from the Hebrew word "shir," which means song or ring. It indicates the circular nature of melodies and argues that Jacob's descendants will sing these mystical melodies in the coming redemption, a beautiful rendition of a song that doesn't end.

If Baal Shem Tov is right, then it heightens the disaster of the rebellion of which Moses speaks. Jeshurun, the Upright One, rebelled against God and grew fat and kicked, and instead of singing the forever the song of redemption. The Upright Ones grew satisfied with where they were and abandoned God and the forever song that they were destined to sing. Food became more important than the song of redemption, and the singer forgot to sing a song that was never destined to end. 

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 33