This Week’s Torah Portion: Va-et’chanan – וָאֶתְחַנַּן (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11)
שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ אֶחָֽד׃
Listen, O Israel! Adonai is our God, Adonai is Oneness. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
The Sh’ma in the Torah is written with two letters that are larger than the rest, and if we put them together, we get the word ‘eid, which means “witness.” The Torah teaches us that listening and holding space can be the most transformative and intimate things we can do. When we truly listen to someone and hold space for them, as we would for God, that is where the Oneness of God dwells.
Parsha Va-et’chanan – וָאֶתְחַנַּן Torah 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 – וָאֶתְחַנַּן
שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ אֶחָֽד׃
Listen, O Israel! Adonai is our God, Adonai is Oneness. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
The Sh’ma in the Torah is written with two letters that are larger than the rest, and if we put them together, we get the word ‘eid, which means “witness.” The Torah teaches us that listening and holding space can be the most transformative and intimate things we can do. When we truly listen to someone and hold space for them, as we would for God, that is where the Oneness of God dwells.
