Words and Actions

D’varim

Deut. 1:1 - 3:22

The Book of Deuteronomy (D’varim – “words”) takes the form of a series of lectures by Moses to the People as they prepare to enter the Land. D’varim is sometimes called the “Mishneh Torah”, literally, the “second teaching of the Torah” (this is where we get the Greek name of the Book) because it contains repetitions of previously enunciated laws.

            The Book is also sometimes referred to as the “Priestly Code” by those who ascribe its origin to the Priests of the First Temple era. D’varim has two other significant themes: the cosmic relationship between God and the People Israel and the pursuit of social justice in terms of care for the “poor, the widow, and the orphan.” 

            The first parasha recounts the four decades of travel through the wilderness, repeats the story of the spies, deals with the appointment of judges, victories in the wilderness against enemies, and how the conquered land is to be divided.

 

It is interesting to note that the first Book of the Torah begins with God creating the world through words. The final Book of Moses also begins with words (d’varim).  We can see from both Books that words have power. We also know that actions can speak louder than words. Both are important in our tradition.

Moses’ words in this Book are different from his previous pronouncements. Here he engages in the act of remembering, an essential part of Torah and Jewish observance (i.e., the Passover seder reading of the Haggadah, meaning “telling”).

Recalling and telling are essential, but we need to learn from and protect the achievements we recall. Pirke Avot 2:21 states it best: “It is not [our] duty to finish the work, but neither are [we] free to desist from it.”

We read about Moses’ plans for the Land of Israel and, knowing the outcome, assume that his presumptions were certain. Similarly, we can look back upon the establishment of the modern State of Israel as being inevitable, since we observe a modern vibrant Jewish nation. But since October 7^th and its aftermath, we cannot merely retell the story of Israel’s creation, but we must take actions to help Israel (and the Jewish People) survive and thrive.