by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 7, 2014 | 5:2-Parshat Va'etchanan, Devarim / Deuteronomy
Aliya Summary: Moshe repeats the Ten Commandments, reminding the Israelites that the Sinai covenant was not limited to those who were physically present at Mount Sinai. The very first of the ten commandments is very unique. It doesn’t just say “I am the...
by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 7, 2014 | 5:2-Parshat Va'etchanan, Devarim / Deuteronomy
Aliya Summary: Moshe designates three cities of refuge on the eastern side of the Jordan River. These cities provided refuge for an individual who inadvertently murdered another. The Gemara explains that although the cities wouldn’t become active refuge havens...
by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 7, 2014 | 5:2-Parshat Va'etchanan, Devarim / Deuteronomy, Weekly Dvar
Perhaps the most famous sentence in the Torah is found in this week’s Torah portion – “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.” (Deuteronomy 6:4). Interestingly, the last letter of the Hebrew word for “Hear” (Shema) is...
by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 4, 2014 | 5:2-Parshat Va'etchanan, Devarim / Deuteronomy
Aliya Summary: Moshe implores the Israelites to treasure the Torah, praising its wisdom, its righteous and just precepts, and the closeness to G‑d it affords. He admonishes them to never forget the day when G‑d gave them the Torah, and vividly describes that awesome...
by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 3, 2014 | 5:2-Parshat Va'etchanan, Devarim / Deuteronomy
General Overview: In this week’s Torah reading, Va’etchanan, Moshe continues his attempt to impress upon the Israelites the importance of following G‑d’s commandments, the rewards which will result from obeying G‑d’s words, and the punishments...
by Shlomo Ressler | Jul 19, 2013 | 5:2-Parshat Va'etchanan, Devarim / Deuteronomy
Aliya Summary: The Israelites are directed to destroy the inhabitants of Canaan along with their idols, and the prohibition against intermarriage is discussed. Finally, Moshe tells the People that the nations in Eretz Yisrael whom we will encounter are mightier than...
