Devarim (Deuteronomy) Parasha Summaries
Devarim
Summary: The Book of Deuteronomy, called Devarim in Hebrew, opens with the Israelites standing at the bank of the Jordan River, ready to cross over into the Promised Land. Knowing that his days as leader of the People of Israel, and his life, have come to an end, Moses takes this opportunity to impart some final words of wisdom, encouragement, and rebuke. Deuteronomy is then, in effect, one long speech - Moses' 'swan-song' so to speak - delivered over a two week period at the end of the Israelites' forty year journey. Parashat Devarim begins with Moses recounting the history of the Exodus, from the giving of the second set of tablets at Sinai through to the incident of the 12 spies. Moses highlights his own role as leader, and blames the people for the fact that he has been prohibited from entering the Land. Special attention is also paid to the promise of the Land. Moses notes the establishment of the Sanhedrin and the Judicial system. Moses then jumps ahead and reviews some of the final battles that have been fought, including the battles with Sichon and Og and the acquisition of land to the east of the Jordan (in which they were standing). At the end of this portion, Joshua, who will assume the role of leadership after Moses, is assured that, just as God led Israel to victory in the wilderness, so too God will lead Israel in battle when they cross into the Land.
Va-Etchanan
Summary: As Parashat Va-Etchanan opens, Moses again relates his petition to God to allow him to enter into the Promised Land, but is refused. Moses continues his review of the history of the Israelites since the Exodus from Egypt. However, his emphasis now turns to the laws and rules that God has given to the People of Israel, repeatedly imploring the Israelites to accept and faithfully follow all of God's instructions. Such compliance will be rewarded with goodness. Moses then repeats the Ten Commandments, followed shortly after by the passage which we use liturgically as the first paragraph of the Shema. Moses then warns the Israelites not to forget God after they enter into the land and are established as a prosperous people. They are to avoid assimilation and always remember that they are God's 'treasured people.'
Ekev
Summary: In this week's parasha, Moses continues his review of the exodus experience, reminding the Israelites of how God has cared for them in the wilderness. He reiterates the covenant and continues to review the general rewards that will benefit the Israelites if they are faithful to God and follow God's commandments. It is simple: if the Israelites follow the Torah, God will bless them in the land, and drive out their enemies. If they do not obey God, then....
Moses warns them not to follow other gods or engage in idolatrous worship practises. Moses also reminds the Israelites of some of their earlier rebellious incidents, including the events around the building of the Golden Calf and the destruction of the first set of tablets. The parasha concludes with the passage which is used liturgically as the second paragraph of the Shema. These words reiterate the connection between Israel's piety and God's blessing.
Re-eh
Summary: This portion begins with one of the most powerful statements in the Torah affirming free will: 'See, I set before you blessing and curse' - blessing if the people follow God's ways, and curse if they don't. These blessings and curses are actually to be articulated from the tops of two mountains when the Israelites enter into the Promised Land, and more detail is given about that ritual at the end of this discourse (Deuteronomy 27:12). The parasha continues with laws that are to be fulfilled by the Israelites in the land: the eradication of idolatry, and the centralization of sacrificial worship at specific sites which God will identify. Moses strongly warns the people about false prophets, idolaters, 'lawless' cities, and the incorporation of any pagan practices into Israelite ritual. The remainder of the parasha outlines those mitzvot that set Israel apart from other nations: kashrut, tithing, laws regarding loans, the Sabbatical year, Israelite slaves, consecration of the first born, and the major festivals.
Shoftim
Summary: The Hebrew word shoftim - meaning 'judges' or'magistrates' - defines the theme of this important portion. Issues of jurisprudence and social ethics predominate, including guidelines for judges and courts of law, elders, kings, prophets, and priests, all of who have a role in maintaining a just society. Right up front, the text identifies the most important characteristic of a judge: the ability to remain impartial and objective. The shofet must not play favourites and must always resist bribes and other forms of influence.
The Torah again prohibits any forms of idolatrous practices, which are seen as the greatest perversion of God's justice. The notion of a Monarch is discussed as a possibility when entering into the Promised Land. The Israelites can only appoint a King who has been selected by God, and the King must have an unyielding commitment to God, Torah, and the people of Israel. He too must not be distracted by material wealth or foreign influence, which might cloud his judgement.
Moses next addresses the Levites and emphasizes their special place among the people. The have both privilege and responsibility. Moses then turns from the priests to the notion of prophecy, and discusses how to distinguish between a true prophet and a false prophet. No other forms of divination or sorcery can be used to determine God's will, and all false prophets and methods of divination must be wiped out. Cities of refuge and the importance of proper witnesses are discussed. The parasha ends with a discussion of proper approaches to warfare. Justice is to be maintained at all times, even times of war.
Ki Tetze
Summary: In Parashat Ki Tetze, our tradition identifies 74 different mitzvot , covering a wide assortment of rules related to ethical warfare, family life, burial of the deceased, property laws, the humane treatment of animals, fair labour practices, and proper economic transactions. Specific topics addressed in this week's portion include treatment of females captured in war, the rights of the first born, the ben soreir - the 'wayward and rebellious' son - who is put to death, followed by the treatment of the bodies of the executed. The portion then goes on to discuss our responsibility towards the property of others, men and women's clothing, guard rails, mixed agriculture, tzitzit, issues of marriage and adultery, slavery, sexual propriety, interest, vows, workers' rights, divorce, kidnapping, consideration for the orphan and the widow, support for the poor, Leverite marriage, the penalty for embarrassing another and honest weights and measures. Like I said, this portion covers a lot of territory. The parasha ends with the famous command to remember what Amalek did to the Israelites when they left Egypt.
Ki Tavo
Summary: Parashat Ki Tavo opens with the commandment to bring the first fruits to the priests. This ritual includes a verse many will recognize from the Pesach Seder, recalling that 'my ancestor was a wandering Aramean.' This is followed by another ritual for the completion of tithing. Both are a statement of God's dominion over the land.
Next we find a dramatic ritual called tochacha - 'admonition' - that is to be performed by the Israelites when they first cross the Jordan and enter into the Promised Land. As a reaffirmation of Israel's acceptance of the covenant with God, they are to inscribe the Torah upon twelve stones, erecting them as a monument on the top of Mount Ebal. And then the tribes were divided, six to ascend to the top of Mount Grizzim, and six to the top of Mount Ebal. The Cohanim and the Levites, along with the Ark of the Covenant, stood in the valley in between. There, they called out a list of curses that would befall anyone who ignored God's commandments and a list of blessings that would benefit those who followed God's way. After each statement, all of the people said, 'Amen'.
The parasha concludes with the beginning of Moses's final discourse. He begins by recounting all that God has done for Israel over the past forty years.
Nitzavim/Va-Yelech
Summary: This week we have the final double portion of this cycle of Torah readings. These two short (one chapter each) portions are usually (but not always) combined. At the beginning of Parashat Nitzavim, Moses gathers the entire Israelite people together and gives them a stern warning to uphold God's covenant. Terrible things (and by now they know what that means) await the person who does not observe the commandments. But God will take back in great mercy anyone who sincerely repents. The parasha ends with a nechemta - words of encouragement. Moses tells the people that upholding the Torah is not too difficult or too strange, but entirely within their capabilities. The people are encouraged to 'choose life' by following God's path.
Parasha Va-Yelech tells us sadly of Moses' final hours. Knowing that his time is up, he passes the mantle of leadership to Joshua, in front of all the people, with words of encouragement. He then completes the writing of the Torah and gives the book to the Levites to place in the Ark and to safeguard. The Presence of God appears to Moses, predicting Israel's faithlessness, but promising to bring them to the Land. As per God's instructions, Moses then gathers the people together one last time to hear his song.
Ha-Azinu
Summary: Parashat Ha-Azinu is the last parasha in the annual cycle of Torah readings read as part of the weekly Shabbat portions. (The final parasha, Zot Ha-Bracha, is only read on Simchat Torah.) Ha-Azinu contains Moses' final words to the Israelites - delivered as a powerful poem or song recalling the people's sacred history since the Exodus from Egypt, and warning the Israelites in the strongest terms not to stray from the path that God has commanded. This is one of only two songs in the Torah attributed to Moses, the other being the Song at the Sea in Parashat Be-Shalach. At the end of the parasha, God tells Moses to ascend to the top of Mount Nebo, where he will die. But while God allows Moses to see throughout the Land of Israel from the top of the mountain, it is reiterated that Moses will not be able to enter the Land since he 'broke faith with Me.'
Zot Ha-Brachah
Summary: Moses addresses the Israelites one last time, recounting the giving of the Torah and blessing them tribe by tribe. The Israelites are standing on a mountain overlooking the Jordan Valley from the east, but Moshe will not be allowed to enter the Land of Israel with the rest of the people. He dies, and is buried; the story of the Torah is now finished, and the Israelites begin a new chapter of their history in the Land of Israel under the leadership of Joshua. The story of the Israelites continues under the judges and prophets.
