Return to Parasha ChartParashiyot Summary: Devarim (Deuteronomy)
Summary: Like the entire book of Deuteronomy, this Parasha, from the perspective of Moses, tells of the Israelites journey from Horev (Sinai) to the promised land. He relates the stories of the spies and its consequences. The Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land- conquering Sihon and Og. Joshua is to become Moses' successor.
Summary: This Parasha includes the Ten Commandments and the Shma.
Summary: The themes of Deuteronomy continue to be stressed: if Israel follows God's commandments, Israel will prosper. Moses reminds the Israelites of their 40 years in the desert, and all their acts of rebellion. Following God's laws, however, will result in prosperity.
Summary: God has set before the people the choice between a blessing and a curse. If they obey God's commandments, they will be blessed, and if they disobey, they will be cursed. So they must follow these laws: destroy the sites of idolatry; set aside tithes and observe a Sabbatical year for the land to rest; and celebrate the three pilgrimage festivals.
Summary: The Israelites are commanded to establish courts of law when they enter the land. Moses warns the people against idolatry (again). The Israelites are warned against practising sorcery, or following false prophets. The instructions for the establishment of six cities of refuge (sanctuaries for unintentional homicide) are given.
Summary: Moses continues the review of the laws - many concerned with moral values: family relationships; relationships with others; relationships with animals, nature and the environment.
Summary: The offering of first fruits is described in detail; the short synopsis of our history, recited by heart by every pilgrim, was used by the Rabbis of the Mishnah to be the kernel from which they spun the Haggadah narrative. Instructions for tithing are given and the portion concludes with a dramatic description of blessings and curses that are recited before all the tribes of Israel.
Summary: Moses continues his
farewell to the Israelites. He stresses that the covenant God has
made is not only with those standing there 'today', but those who are
not (yet) standing there (ie. us!). And he re-iterates the
Deuteronomic view, that if we follow God's commandments, and obey
them, we will be blessed; if we disobey, we will be cursed. We have a
choice between life and death, blessing and curse: by choosing life,
we will enjoy the land promised to our ancestors.
Moses appoints Joshua as his successor, as he is too old to be the
Israelite's leader. Moses prepares to recite a farewell poem (which
we read in the next Parasha).
Summary: Moses calls heaven and earth to witness his words. In the poem that follows, he describes all that God has done to care for Israel, but that they have not followed God's rules. Moses again stresses the importance of following God's laws. Moses ascends Mt. Nebo, and looks at the land of Israel, promised to the Israelites.
Summary: Moses blesses each tribe, and then dies at the age of 120. The Israelites mourn for thirty days, and Joshua takes over as their new leader. Never again would a prophet like Moses arise in Israel.