The Emergence of a Mosaic Voice
Among the Book of Deuteronomy's many distinctions, the emergence of a Mosaic voice conveying a personal, synoptic narration of events, struggles, successes, and failures renders this last Book of Torah especially compelling.
Covenant and Law: Reading through the Ages
The second portion of Deuteronomy, Va-et’chanan, is an unusual Torah portion in many respects.
Survival and Sustenance
Parashat Eikev, the third Torah portion in Deuteronomy, addresses the promises associated with the realization and fulfillment of Israel's covenant with God on the one hand, and mentions the destructive and painful consequences of abandonment of – or disrespect for – God on the other.
R’eih: The Price of Doing “Whatever We Please”
"If every Jew does whatever s/he wants, wherever s/he wants, Judaism won't survive another generation."
The Price of Doing “Whatever We Please”
“If every Jew does whatever s/he wants, wherever s/he wants, Judaism won’t survive another generation.”
Blessings on the Hills
Deuteronomy 11:29 foreshadows an elaborate ritual in which blessings and curses are recited at the hills of Ebal and Gerizim, just across the Jordan River in the Promised Land.
Holy Place, Holy Responsibility, Holy Acts
Parashat R'eih contains a remarkable richness of diverse biblical materials. It opens with the "blessing and curse" that God sets before the people, based on their choice of following or disobeying the commandments (Deuteronomy 11:26–32).
"You Must Not Go Back That Way Again"
"You must not go back that way again" (Deuteronomy 17:16). This statement in Shof'tim is far more central to our religious worldview than we might realize.
Seeing is Believing
Overview
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God places both blessing and curse before the Israelites. They are taught that blessing will come through the observance of God’s laws. (11:26–32)