Devarim; Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

This week’s Torah portion begins the book of Deuteronomy, the last of the five books of Moses. This entire book is considered Moses’ farewell address to the Children of Israel, taking place “in the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, that Moses addressed the Israelites in accordance with the instructions that Adonai had given him for them.” (1:3)

But interestingly enough, forty years have passed when the journey from Horeb only took eleven days. In the intervening years a generation has died and a new generation that did not know slavery grew up. As they are poised to enter the Promised Land, now on the steppes of Moab across the Jordan from Eretz Yisrael, this new generation that did not know Egypt, can perhaps say to themselves, “If only Mom and Dad were here to see this.” A short trip of eleven days turned into an odyssey of forty years for Moses. Moses oration is aimed at this generation and conveying to them the consequences of the previous generation’s faults and of the inherited laws, judgments, statutes, and yes, story of the Israelites to carry with them into the Promised Land.

Moses in many ways gives this generation that is about to come into its own a pep talk as they prepare to become a conquering army. They have had skirmishes and battles with various peoples and Kings but now it is their turn to fulfill God’s promise made to the ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses who will not be there to guide them in this next phase must leave stirring words for the Children of Israel to rely upon and remember when he is gone. He must remind them of the proof of their worthiness and their ability and he does so.

The portion ends with Moses’ reminder almost a prophecy for the Children of Israel. “And I commanded you at that time saying, Adonai your God has given you this land to take possession of it. You shall pass equipped, all the warriors in front of your brothers, the Children of Israel…You shall not fear them because Adonai Your God, is the One fighting for you.” Moses stirring speech reminds them that it by the very power of God that they can win the day. They are the instruments of God strength, power and plan. This is important because they are as a generation just coming into their own, soon with their own leaders—Joshua and Caleb at the helm. Moses’ speech to them will serve as a vital reminder of their strength and ability. But they must remember that they can not do this alone, they must have a strong connection to Adonai and to keep connected to the central idea of God’s blessing and God’s covenant and that their journey and battles are the fulfillment of the covenant.

In our own day and time it is easy to get distracted from our connection to God and to the covenant of our People. Work demands so much from each of us and taking care of our families too. But at the core of a spiritual life for the Jew must be a foundation and connection to our system of mitzvot and our God. Just as it was for the Israelites, so too for us. We must remember that God is the One fighting for you.

Posted by Lee at July 21, 2004 12:58 PM