Dvarim

Our Sedra is famously known as "Parshat Eretz Yisrael." While virtually every Sedra in the Torah stresses the centrality of Israel, Ekev makes it crystal clear that G-d, Torah & Eretz Yisrael form the 3-legged stool upon which the Jewish People eternally rests.

I mistakenly recited al hamichyah, when I was required to bensch. Am I now required to bensch?

“If only you would listen to these laws …” (Deut. 7:12). These words with which our Parsha begins contain a verb that is a fundamental motif of the book of Devarim. In fact, this verb appears no less than 92 times in Devarim as a whole.

In this week's portion, the Torah indicates that there is a simple formula for Jewish life. If we follow the commandments of God and observe the laws of the Torah, the Jewish people will be showered with blessings.

Moshe asked: "What does Hashem ask from you but to fear Him?" The Gemara points out that unlike for most people, this was a trivial task for Moshe. Actually, the purpose of the giving of the Torah is fear of Hashem.

What has happened to all the promises of Bereishit, that Abraham’s children would be numerous, uncountable, as many as the stars of the sky, the dust of the earth, and the grains of sand on a seashore?

Am I required to stand up anytime I see a senior citizen walking down the street? I give a daf yomi shiur. Many of those who attend are old enough to be my grandfather. Am I required to stand up for them when they arrive at the shiur? Does one older person need to stand up for another older person?

Although our teacher Moshe figuratively tears down the gates of heaven with his prayers and supplication to be allowed to enter the land of Israel, his wish is not granted. The question itself remains a vexing one, even thousands of years later.

Parashat Vaetchanan returns us to the Ten Commandments. We also read the parasha of Shema, which we recite twice a day, thereby accepting Hashem’s sovereignty over us. One thing that unites these special Torah portions is the matter of shemi’ah (hearing).

By the end of the book of Bamidbar, Moses’ career as a leader would seem to be ending. It is what Moses did next that bears the mark of greatness.