JCC Association's Early Childhood Curriculum Project 'This New Month'

Parshat Devarim is the first Torah portion of the fifth book of the Torah, Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy is Moshe's farewell address to the Jewish people and his final opportunity to prepare them for their entry into the Land of Israel. Toward that end, he recounts the story of the previous forty years in the desert and teaches, or repeats, the mitzvot they will need in the Land.

Moshe begins his account after the giving of the Torah at Sinai, with the establishment of the judicial system. He reminds the people of the sin of the spies committed in the second year of their travels, the turning point at which their fate was sealed and they would be denied entrance to the Land for the next thirty eight years. Moshe then jumps forward in time to more recent history to remind the Jewish people that they successfully defeated the kings on the east bank of the Jordan, thanks to G-d's help. He wants them to realize that they have nothing to fear in entering the Land because G-d will help them conquer it. Moshe also reminds the people that the tribes of Reuven and Gad and half the tribe of Menashe will inherit the lands on the east bank of the Jordan on the condition that they help their brothers conquer the mainland of Israel.

The Shabbat before Tisha B’Av, Shabbat Hazon, gets it’s name from the Haftorah, or prophetic reading. Shabbat Hazon translates as the Sabbath of (Dark) Vision. The reading is from Isaiah as he reprimands southern kingdom of Judah in the last quarter of the 8th century B.C.E. and warns of calamity to come.

Parshat Va'etchanan opens with Moshe describing how he pleaded to be allowed into the Land of Israel and G-d's refusal of his request. Moshe goes on to tell the people that they must be careful to keep G-d's commandments without adding to them. He explains that the Torah is what will distinguish them from all the other nations. Moshe particularly warns them against falling into the error of idol worship, reminding them that at Mount Sinai G-d revealed Himself to them, but they saw no image of G-d. He reiterates that they must remember all that he has said because he will not be there to lead them into the Land. Finally, he points out that idol worship will incur the anger of G-d and lead them into exile. But, Moshe says, G-d is ultimately merciful and will remember his covenant with the Patriarchs.

At this point, Moshe sets aside three cities of refuge on the east bank of the Jordan (the lands that he conquered.) Although Moshe will not be able to complete this mitzva in the mainland, he begins the process.

The parsha continues with Moshe's description of the revelation at Sinai, including a repetition of the Ten Commandments, and a description of the people's great fear at hearing the voice of G-d.

Moshe tells the people, "Hear O Israel, G-d, our L-rd, G-d is One" and the first paragraph of the Shema prayer. He reminds them that good things will await them in the Land of Israel and exhorts them to tell their children about the Exodus from Egypt. The parsha ends with yet another strong warning about the dangers of idol worship.

The Shabbat after Tisha B'Av, Shabbat Nachamu, again gets its name from the Haftara, and the beginning quote of the reading, "Nachamu, Nachamu ami - be comforted, be comforted, my people..."

This reading is also from Isaiah and begins to offer consolation for the destruction of Temples and hope for the future.

Parshat Ekev continues with the themes raised in the previous two Torah portions. Among these themes are the blessings that will come to those who serve G-d faithfully; the penalties that will be suffered by those who don't; that the people should not to fear the nations they have come to conquer, because the G-d who saved them in Egypt will come to their aid in conquering the Land as well; and the special qualities of the Land of Israel.

Moshe continues his narrative of the events in the desert by describing what transpired after the sin of the Golden Calf: He defended the people before G-d, broke the Tablets of the Law, and obeyed G-d's commandment that he carve new ones. He urges the people to learn the lessons of their experiences and recognize that they must serve G-d faithfully. Included in his speech of exhortation is the second paragraph of the Shema.

Parshat Re'eh opens with Moshe telling the people that he has placed both a blessing and a curse before them. The blessing will be fulfilled if they keep the commandments, and the curse will be fulfilled if they do not. He commands them to enact a ritual of blessings and curses when they enter the Land on Mount Gerizim and Mount Eval. (This ritual is described in detail in the book of Joshua.)

A long list of commandment follows this introduction, among which are:

To wipe out all idols and places of idol worship, when they enter the Land.
To bring all sacrifices to the Tabernacle or the Temple (i.e., to a central place of worship), rather than sacrificing at other altars.
Not to obey false prophets (those who tell the people to violate the Torah).
Not to listen to friends or relatives who urge idol worship.
Not to tattoo the body or mutilate it because "you are children of G-d..."
To eat only kosher animals (those that have split hooves and chew the cud), kosher fish (those that have fins and scales), and kosher fowl.
To take tithes of the produce of the Land (for the Levites and for communion celebrations at the Tabernacle or Temple.)
To observe shemitta (the sabbatical year).
To give tzedaka (charity.)
To observe the pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot).

The effect of all these commandments is to bind the people closer to G-d and distance them from idol worship.