by Shlomo Ressler | Jul 14, 2013 | 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 | Aug 3, 2012 | 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...
by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 3, 2012 | 5:2-Parshat Va'etchanan, Devarim / Deuteronomy
From chabad.org and ou.org: This Aliya begins with the first section of the Shema prayer. This paragraph contains the fundamental mitzvot of belief in G‑d’s unity, love of G‑d, tefillin, mezuzah, and Torah study (see previous blog for more color on this). The...
by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 2, 2012 | 5:2-Parshat Va'etchanan, Devarim / Deuteronomy
Aliya Summary: Moshe describes the fright which gripped the nation following the revelation on Sinai. The leaders of the tribes approached Moshe and pleaded that he be the intermediary to transmit G-d’s words to them, and G‑d agreed. Twice in this Aliya it...
by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 1, 2012 | 5:2-Parshat Va'etchanan, Devarim / Deuteronomy, Weekly Dvar
The most famous sentence in the Torah is found in this week’s Torah portion, Va’etchanan: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.” (Deuteronomy 6:4) The last letter (Ayin) of the Hebrew word for “Hear” (Shema) is written...
by Shlomo Ressler | Aug 1, 2012 | 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...
