Bnei Yisrael prepare to enter the land of Israel
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Torah and Song, Heaven and Earth (Audio)
Rabbi Amnon Bazak | 15 minutesAs the people of Israel prepare to enter into the land, Moshe appoints a series of metaphorical witnesses to the covenant between God and Israel, and all that it entails. What are these pairs of "witnesses" and what deeper meaning does each one signify?
Sefer Devarim, the Most ‘Misunderstood’ Book of the Bible
Rabbi Menachem Leibtagתאריך פרסום: תשסט | |
What is the purpose of Sefer Devarim? Rabbi Menachem Leibtag challenges the popular assumption that Sefer Devarim is a ‘review’ of the rest of Chumash, and proves that, in fact, Sefer Devarim is a crucial ending to the Chumash. By examining the progression from Sefer Shmot all the way to Devarim, we can see that Devarim is not a historical review; rather it details how Am Yisrael must become a nation representing God, utilizing a whole new set of laws, once they enter the land of Israel.
God Gave the Land of Moav to the Moabites
Ramban on Parshat Devarim
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 37 minutesPerek Bet (Chapter Two) of the Book of Devarim starts with Moshe summarizing the voyages of Bnei Yisrael in the desert. As his narrative reaches the point where Bnei Yisrael come close to other nations who are blocking the way, some strange and seemingly contradictory phrases appear. At first it sounds like Bnei Yisrael turn away and avoid attack out of fear, and then the narrative states that they did not attack Moav or Edom because the Lands of Moav and Edom were designated as such by God. What is going on here? We turn to Ramban for insight into these passages.
Parshat Devarim - Moshe, the Spies, and the Scouts
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanתאריך פרסום: תש"ע | | 38 minutes
This shiur examines Moshe’s recounting of the spies. Why is this story found here in Devarim? Why does Moshe decide to recount this story now, on the cusp of the people entering Eretz Yisrael? Moshe tells the story as if the sending of spies was the people’s initiative. But how well does this fit with the story in Bemidbar? As we compare and contrast the two accounts, we find clues about the root of the sin and collapse. If people do not have the self-respect and self-confidence allowing them to believe the could conquer the land, their attitude becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. “God helps those who help themselves,” but in the generation of former slaves, even the leaders believed they were nothing. Moshe has to reinforce a different attitude to those about to enter the Land of Israel.
Parshat Pinchas - A New Leader
Rabbi Alex Israel | 38 minutesGod commands Moshe to ascend a mountain to view the Land which he will not enter. Moshe asks that God appoint a leader to continue after Moshe’s death so that Bnei Yisrael will not be like sheep without a shepherd. Why does this need to come from Moshe’s initiative? How could it be that Bnei Yisrael would be without a leader? We examine various commentator’s perspectives on this episode. Is this a way of continuing Moshe’s relevance? Or is this a painful reminder that Moshe will not be entering the Land? Moshe’s response exemplifies his positive vision of the future. We examine the strange wording of Moshe’s request and God’s response. Linguistic ties to the episode of Korah provide us with a reminder of the type of leadership Bnei Yisrael will need -one of checks and balances-, and the challenge of transferring leadership from Moshe.
Parshat Matot - The Inauguration
Rabbi Yair Kahnתאריך פרסום: תשע"ו | | 12 minutes
Parshat Matot contains numerous, seemingly superfluous details surrounding the battle with Midian and the two and a half tribes who settled east of the Jordan. How do these details contribute to the theme of Israel becoming a cohesive whole prior to the nation's entry into the land?
Parshat Masei - Journeys
Rabbi Alex Israel | 32 minutesParashat Mas’ei opens with a rhythmic recounting of the 42 journeys of Israel. We are often taught that the Torah is careful with words. Why do we need this long list about the desert stops? Elsewhere in the Torah, we see that time is marked through lists (such as the genealogical lists in Bereisheet), and that this list form can be a form of literary style.
We examine three radically different approaches to Bnei Yisrael’s journeys in the wilderness. Rashi presents two different approaches: Rabbi Moshe HaDarshan emphasizes God’s kindness throughout the punishment of the long desert journeys, and the Tanhuma brings an analogy of a transformative healing experience. Seforno looks at Masei as emphasizing how good Bnei Yisrael were to follow God in the desert.
Masei is a fitting way to end Sefer BeMidbar, which often reads as a series of Bnei Yisrael’s failures. But the journey is one of growth, and there is a happy ending: they are now ready to enter the Land of Israel, Bnei Yisrael’s ultimate destination.
Parshat Devarim - Moses' Speech
Rabbi Alex Israel | 35 minutesSefer Devarim contains a series of speeches by Moshe Rabbeinu. The first few chapters seem to comprise an introduction to the second, significantly longer speech. Why do we need this introduction, and why does its historical account contain major gaps, leaving out the ten plagues and the splitting of the Red Sea? The first three chapters are meant to lead to a conclusion. The ten plagues are irrelevant to this speech’s purpose, which is not to highlight miracles or wonders, but to emphasize the secret to succeeding in the future: Bnei Yisrael need to turn to God and follow God’s law instead of believing that they themselves are the sole architects of their own success.
Parshat Eikev - Dependence and Independence
Rabbi Alex Israel | 37 minutesThis shiur analyzes the structure and content of Parshat Ekev, which discusses the reward and punishment that come with the covenant, and emphasizes that Israel’s tenure in the Land is contingent upon upholding the Torah. The main section also relates to different concerns “If you would say in your heart” and answers them with a call to remember something. There are responses for different mindsets and moments in life. Under-confidence- as well as certain types of overconfidence- are both religious errors. The motif of water that recurs in the parasha, especially in the contrast between the Land of Israel and Egypt, serves to highlight the tension between the human desire for independence and the Divine demand for dependence on God and adherence to the covenant.
Parshat Haazinu - God's Children
Rabbi Alex Israel | 36 minutesThe Song of Haazinu is to serve as a witness for future generations. It tells a historical tale of Bnei Yisrael. But what story does Haazinu tell? This shiur sets out to follow through the story line and point out some interesting features, and then make some philosophical comments and spiritual insights.
Many of the classical commentaries seem to present the Song of Haazinu as the ultimate story of the Jewish people- a story of exile and redemption, outlining the future of Jewish History. But is this indeed so? Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun and Rav Elhanan Samet point out that the song makes no reference to exile or to leaving the land.
If this is not a prediction of future exile and redemption, then what is this song, and why is this song needed? Why must it be so readily available for people to remember throughout the ages? Is it another exile and redemption cycle? Or does the Song of Haazinu present a different paradigm – one entirely within the Land of Israel?
Of Concealed and Revealed
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |Verse 28, the final verse of Chapter 29 in Devarim states that "that which is concealed is for God, and that which is revealed is for us and for our children – to follow the words of the Torah." What is meant by “concealed things”? What are revealed? To untangle this perplexing verse, we examine the wider context in which it appears: The people are gathered to be brought into a “covenant and a curse” before entering the Land of Israel. The curses mentioned within beg for a comparison with the curses to be recited at Mount Eival (Eibal), as well as to the story of Akhan in the Book of Yehoshua. We are then able to uncover fundamental notions of corporate responsibility and partnership in Parashat Nitzavim.
I Sin Therefore I Am
Avidan FreedmanParshat Ki Tavo - Pledge of Allegiance
Rabbi Alex Israel | 33 minutesThis shiur focuses on the description of the covenantal Ceremony of the Stones. It bears a striking resemblance to the covenantal ceremony at Sinai which took place the day after the Revelation at Sinai. What is the reason for the strong overlap? The ceremony occurs at an auspicious juncture as the People of Israel take a bold step- to become a nation with a land. The covenantal ceremony- creating a triangle between the Nation, the Land, and God, mediated through the Torah - is meant to naturally continue the values of Sinai in Israel.
The Torah of Man
Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin NunSefer Devarim describes a shift in Bnei Yisrael’s view of leadership, going from a nation that is dependent on miracles and tests, to one that is constant and stable. The beginning of Parshat Devarim represents this transition to a new situation: obeying God involves observing the covenant, the covenant of Torah from Sinai, which is the fixed and eternal mode of God’s leadership of the nation.
Yehoshua 3-4
Matan Al Haperek
Matan Al HaPerek - Neta ShapiraThese perakim describe two formative events in the history of the Jewish People: the crossing of the Jordan and the entrance into the Land of Israel. In various ways, the language of the text and the events themselves echo the splitting of the Red Sea, the Exodus from Egypt, and the Revelation at Sinai. We will explore the broader context of the crossing of the Jordan, and its meaning for both the generation currently entering the Land and for future generations as well.
Eikev: The Sweat of Your Brow
Rabbi Jay KelmanThoughts on Parashat Re'eh - Part 1
Rabbi Yaakov BeasleyRe'eh: Why Would Israel be Attracted to Canaanite Paganism?
Rabbi David SilverbergRe'eh: Commitment to Values vs. the Exhiliration of Controversy
Rabbi David SilverbergChukat: Was Hitting the Rock So Horrible?
Rabbi David Fohrman |In this week's parsha, we are introduced to the strange episode of Moses hitting the rock. Because of this small infraction, we are told, Moses will not be entering the land with the people of Israel. Why? What was the small act of Moses talking to the rock meant to teach the people of Israel?
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