Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11
Synopsis
Va'etchanan opens with Moses reminding the people how he had pleaded with God to be allowed to see the Promised Land. God relented and allowed Moses to view the Land of Canaan, but in so doing, God reminded Moses to prepare Joshua to be the new leader of the people in their new Land.
Moses continues in his speech to the people, exhorting them to observe the laws and rules given them so that they may enter and occupy the Promised Land. The people are specifically cautioned to follow the entire law. They must not add or delete from that which God has commanded them.
Moses details the very special relationship that God has with the people Israel and emphasizes that this unique connection should in no way be jeopardized. Moses intersperses his warnings to the people with descriptions of various statutes and commandments. These include:
- The cities of refuge - cities which are set aside to protect individuals who accidentally kill someone.
- A repetition of the Ten Commandments
- The first paragraph of the Shema
- The prohibition against intermarriage between the Israelites and the nations slated to be dislodged from the Promised Land.
Questions for your Shabbat Table:
- Moses reminds the people Israel of their special relationship with God. How is your relationship with God special?
- How do you show your love for God? How does your family show their love for God?
- One of the reminders Moses includes at the end is the first paragraph of the Shema, which many Jews recite before going to bed at night. Why do Jews say the Shema before going to sleep?
- Why do you think Moses repeated those statutes? What is important about each of those rules that he wanted the Israelites to remember?
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