Tag
Deuteronomy
14 articles
What Is the Torah About? A Summary for Beginners
The Torah — the five books of Moses — tells the story of creation, the patriarchs, slavery in Egypt, liberation, God's laws at Sinai, and the journey to the Promised Land. Here is the whole thing, book by book.
Deuteronomy (Devarim): Moses's Farewell and Final Torah
Deuteronomy is Moses's farewell address to the Israelites — restating the law, proclaiming the Shema, urging them to 'choose life,' and dying within sight of the Promised Land he will never enter.
Parashat Devarim: Moses Recounts the Journey — Always Read Before Tisha B'Av
Parashat Devarim opens the Book of Deuteronomy with Moses's farewell address, reviewing Israel's wilderness journey and failures — always read on the Shabbat before Tisha B'Av as a call to self-examination.
Parashat Va'etchanan: Moses Pleads, the Ten Commandments, and the Shema
Parashat Va'etchanan contains three of Judaism's most foundational texts: Moses's plea to enter the land, the repetition of the Ten Commandments, and the Shema — 'Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.'
Parashat Eikev: Obey and Prosper — Manna, the Golden Calf, and Birkat Hamazon
Parashat Eikev promises blessings for obedience, recalls the manna and the Golden Calf, and contains the source for Birkat Hamazon — the obligation to bless God after eating.
Parashat Re'eh: Blessing and Curse, Centralized Worship, Kashrut, and Tzedakah
Parashat Re'eh presents the choice between blessing and curse, commands centralized worship in Jerusalem, details the kosher dietary laws, mandates tzedakah for the poor, and lists the pilgrimage festivals.
Parashat Shoftim: Justice Justice Shall You Pursue — Judges, Kings, Prophets, and War
Parashat Shoftim establishes the Torah's vision of a just society — appointing judges, limiting kings, testing prophets, designating cities of refuge, and commanding the immortal phrase: 'Justice, justice shall you pursue.'
Parashat Ki Tetze: 74 Mitzvot — Family Law, Honest Weights, and Remember Amalek
Parashat Ki Tetze contains more commandments than any other Torah portion — 74 in total — covering family law, the lost object, the bird's nest, honest weights and measures, and the obligation to remember Amalek.
Parashat Ki Tavo: First Fruits, Blessings on Gerizim, Curses on Ebal
Parashat Ki Tavo commands the bringing of first fruits (bikkurim), the declaration of tithes, and the dramatic blessings and curses ceremony — including the terrifying tochachah that warns of exile and suffering.
Parashat Nitzavim: Standing Before God, Covenant Renewal, and Choose Life
Parashat Nitzavim presents the final covenant renewal — every Israelite standing before God, the promise of return after exile, and the immortal command: 'I have set before you life and death — choose life.' Always read before Rosh Hashanah.
Parashat Vayelech: Moses's Last Day, Joshua Takes Over, and the Torah in the Ark
Parashat Vayelech describes Moses's last day alive at age 120 — he transfers leadership to Joshua, completes writing the Torah, places it beside the Ark, and is commanded to write a final song.
Parashat Ha'azinu: Moses's Song — Heaven and Earth as Witnesses
Parashat Ha'azinu is Moses's great poetic song — calling heaven and earth as witnesses, recounting God's faithfulness and Israel's ingratitude, and ending with God's command to Moses to ascend Mount Nebo and die.
Parashat V'Zot HaBracha: Moses's Final Blessing, Death on Nebo, and Simchat Torah
Parashat V'Zot HaBracha is the Torah's final portion — Moses blesses each tribe, ascends Mount Nebo, sees the Promised Land, dies, and is buried by God. 'No prophet like Moses has arisen in Israel.' Read on Simchat Torah.
V'ahavta: And You Shall Love — The Command of the Heart
The V'ahavta — 'And you shall love the Lord your God' — is the passage that follows the Shema, commanding love of God with all one's heart, soul, and might. Explore its meaning, its role in daily prayer, and why Judaism dares to command love.