Parashat Va'etchanan (Deuteronomy: 3:22 - 7:11)

by Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith

Summary:

At the beginning of this parashah, we read Moses’ prayer in which he pleads to God that he may be allowed after all to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.  Moses greatly longs to realise this aim, and, although God refuses his request, he is permitted to view Israel from the summit of Mt. Pisgah. 

Despite his tragic disappointment, Moses doggedly carries on teaching the people that their future welfare in the Promised Land will utterly depend on their adherence to God’s laws. The people are implored not to engage in idolatry and then the Decalogue given at Mt. Sinai is recounted and then is followed by other laws.  The Sh’ma appears as part of the following ensuing exhortations to remember God’s teachings and to pass them onto future generations.  The central theme is loyalty to God.

Commentary:

The juxtaposition of Moses’ personal disappointment with the exhortation not to rebel against God’s laws is striking.  Moses didn’t engage in idolatry but his sin at the episode of the rock was sufficient for punishment.  How much more so will others be punished severely if they transgress against God’s laws.  The fate of the great leader may thus serve as a kind of harsh warning.

Even the loneliness and frustrations of leadership were no excuse for the arrogance displayed by Moses when he struck the rock and water gushed out for the complaining Israelites.  But God, too, struggled greatly with this difficult people.

Though living under the cloud of an imminent death, Moses fulfils his responsibilities as leader.  He urges them never to forget what happened at Mt. Sinai even though they have moved further and further away from that experience and knowledge. This unbending loyalty and courage, too, is an example to them all. 

Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith

Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue