Torah Notes

August 06 - Devarim: Deuteronomy 1:1 - 3:22
The Book of Deuteronomy, called Devarim in Hebrew, opens with the Israelites standing at the bank of the Jordan River, ready to cross over into the Promised Land. Knowing that his days as leader of the People of Israel, and his life, have come to an end, Moses takes this opportunity to impart some final words of wisdom, encouragement, and rebuke. Deuteronomy is then, in effect, one long speech - Moses' 'swan-song' so to speak - delivered over a two week period at the end of the Israelites' forty year journey. Parashat Devarim begins with Moses recounting the history of the Exodus, from the giving of the second set of tablets at Sinai through to the incident of the 12 spies. Moses highlights his own role as leader, and blames the people for the fact that he has been prohibited from entering the Land. Special attention is also paid to the promise of the Land. Moses notes the establishment of the Sanhedrin and the Judicial system. Moses then jumps ahead and reviews some of the final battles that have been fought, including the battles with Sichon and Og and the acquisition of land to the east of the Jordan (in which they were standing). At the end of this portion, Joshua, who will assume the role of leadership after Moses, is assured that, just as God led Israel to victory in the wilderness, so too God will lead Israel in battle when they cross into the Land.

August 13 - Vaetchanan: Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11
As Parashat Va-Etchanan opens, Moses again relates his petition to God to allow him to enter into the Promised Land, but is refused. Moses continues his review of the history of the Israelites since the Exodus from Egypt. However, his emphasis now turns to the laws and rules that God has given to the People of Israel, repeatedly imploring the Israelites to accept and faithfully follow all of God's instructions. Such compliance will be rewarded with goodness. Moses then repeats the Ten Commandments, followed shortly after by the passage which we use liturgically as the first paragraph of the Shema. Moses then warns the Israelites not to forget God after they enter into the land and are established as a prosperous people. They are to avoid assimilation and always remember that they are God's 'treasured people.'

August 20 - Eikev: Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25
In this week's parasha, Moses continues his review of the exodus experience, reminding the Israelites of how God has cared for them in the wilderness. He reiterates the covenant and continues to review the general rewards that will benefit the Israelites if they are faithful to God and follow God's commandments. It is simple: if the Israelites follow the Torah, God will bless them in the land, and drive out their enemies. If they do not obey God, then....
Moses warns them not to follow other gods or engage in idolatrous worship practises. Moses also reminds the Israelites of some of their earlier rebellious incidents, including the events around the building of the Golden Calf and the destruction of the first set of tablets. The parasha concludes with the passage which is used liturgically as the second paragraph of the Shema. These words reiterate the connection between Israel's piety and God's blessing.

August 27 - Re'eh: Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17
This portion begins with one of the most powerful statements in the Torah affirming free will: 'See, I set before you blessing and curse' - blessing if the people follow God's ways, and curse if they don't. These blessings and curses are actually to be articulated from the tops of two mountains when the Israelites enter into the Promised Land, and more detail is given about that ritual at the end of this discourse (Deuteronomy 27:12). The parasha continues with laws that are to be fulfilled by the Israelites in the land: the eradication of idolatry, and the centralization of sacrificial worship at specific sites which God will identify. Moses strongly warns the people about false prophets, idolaters, 'lawless' cities, and the incorporation of any pagan practices into Israelite ritual. The remainder of the parasha outlines those mitzvot that set Israel apart from other nations: kashrut, tithing, laws regarding loans, the Sabbatical year, Israelite slaves, consecration of the first born, and the major festivals.

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This page was last updated on January 20, 2011