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Va-et’chanan (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Va-et’chanan (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11)

Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.
Hear O Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai is One.

(Deuteronomy 6:4)

In the Torah scroll, in every Torah scroll, the Shema is written in a unique and special way. The last letter of the first word, (which is an ayin) and the last letter of the last word (which is a dalet) are written larger than all the other letters in the text. We are not sure when or why this tradition for writing the letters of the Shema first began, perhaps simply to draw attention to these essential Jewish words on the Oneness of God. But why these particular letters? Because together these two letters form the word eid, which means “witness.”

The Shema teaches us that being a witness to the Oneness of God means doing the things, and being the people, that demonstrate God’s presence in the world.

Parsha Va-et’chanan Summary:

Moses pleads with God to let him enter the Land of Israel with the people, but God once more refuses his request. (3:23–28) Moses orders the Children of Israel to pay attention and follow the laws given by God in order to be worthy of the land they are about to receive. (4:1–40) Specific areas of the land are set aside to serve as cities of refuge. (4:41–43) The covenant at Sinai and the Ten Commandments are recalled. Once again, the people are exhorted to heed God’s commandments. (5:1–30) Moses speaks the words of the Sh’ma, the credo of Judaism, and commands Israel to show their love for Adonai and keep God’s laws and ordinances. (6:1–25) Moses warns the people not to commit idolatry by worshiping the gods of the nations they will conquer in Israel. (7:1–11)

Va-et’chanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Va-et’chanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11)

“I pleaded with Adonai … and God did not hear me” Moses begs God to let him cross the Jordan into Israel, God answers: enough, I do not want to hear this no more.

From Moses we learn that not all our prayers can be answered. We always need to desire and want more, knowing that not everything we want to achieve in our lives, not everything we wish for will be answered.

Va-et’chanan Summary:
Moses pleads with God to let him enter the Land of Israel with the people, but God once more refuses his request. (3:23–28)
Moses orders the Children of Israel to pay attention and follow the laws given by God in order to be worthy of the land they are about to receive. (4:1–40)
Specific areas of the land are set aside to serve as cities of refuge. (4:41–43)
The covenant at Sinai and the Ten Commandments are recalled. Once again, the people are exhorted to heed God’s commandments. (5:1–30)
Moses speaks the words of the Sh’ma, the credo of Judaism, and commands Israel to show their love for Adonai and keep God’s laws and ordinances. (6:1–25)
Moses warns the people not to commit idolatry by worshiping the gods of the nations they will conquer in Israel. (7:1–11)
I [Moses] Pleaded with the Eternal
Deuteronomy
3:23–7:11
I pleaded with the Eternal at that time, saying, “O Eternal God, You who let Your servant see the first works of Your greatness and Your mighty hand, You whose powerful deeds no god in heaven or on earth can equal! Let me, I pray, cross over and see the good land on the other side of the Jordan, that good hill country, and the Lebanon.” – Deuteronomy 3:23-25