Devarim is the 44th parashah in the annual cycle of Torah reading, and the first one in the Book of Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book of the Torah. It tells of Moses addressing the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Land of Israel, delegating leaders, and retelling stories of their travels in the desert. Change is upon the Israelite people - they are about to go into a new land, with a new understanding of how they must behave, work and live in community. As we enter into a new and final phase of the re-opening of our city, what lessons might we learn from our ancient text to help ready us for this new moment?
- What questions do we have regarding these two verses??
- Rashi uses a midrash to help us understand why God thinks the people are ready. They have prepared themselves to be ready. Do you think that list is comprehensive enough? Do you think there is more learning yet to be done?
- If we try to understand this commentary in light of our own time, what have we done to ready ourselves for re-entry? What is left for us to do?
- Ibn Ezra notices the confusing grammar here: It doesn't say to move and journey out or to some place. It says to move and journey to you/yourselves. How does the message change when we are told to journey to ourselves.
- What inner work must we do before we slowly enter back into community?
אמר ר' אבא בר אחא התלמיד יושב לפני רבו, כשגומר התלמיד אומר לרב כמה יגעתיך, אבל ישראל היו למדין מן הקב"ה, כשהן נפטרין אומר להם כמה יגעתי אתכם, שנאמר ה' אלהינו דבר אלינו בחורב לאמר וגו' (דברים א ו), הוי וענותך תרבני.
R. Abba bar Aha said: The student sits before his master. When he is finished, the student says to the master: How I have tired you! But Israel was learning from the Holy One. When they are departing, he says to them: How I have tired you! It is so stated (in Deut. 1:6): THE LORD OUR GOD SPOKE TO US IN HOREB, SAYING: < YOU HAVE SAT LONG ENOUGH AT THIS MOUNTAIN >. Ergo (in Ps. 18:36 = II Sam. 22:36): AND YOUR HUMILITY HAS MAGNIFIED ME.
- How is God showing humility by "ending" the lessons at the mountaintop?
- Why is humility such an important element in education? How will humility help us as we continue to live through this moment?
"Here, Moses imbeds his main message. While words and repetitions have their time and place, they must eventually lead to action and change. Just words, just reiterations are not sufficient. We must use their great and clarifying power to literally and figuratively move ourselves forward to the next stage of our journey." - CANTOR ELIZABETH SACKS
- Do you agree with Cantor Sacks as it relates to us today?
- Have we heard enough words are we ready to act and change?
- What happens when we all don't buy into the message and teachings on the mountaintop? What happens when we stray too far from the mountaintop - do we forget the teachings?
- Are you ready to leave the mountaintop?