Devarim

In this parsha

On the plains of Moav, in the final weeks of his life, Moshe begins a series of farewell addresses reviewing the forty-year journey from Sinai. He recalls appointing judges to share the burden of leadership, the sin of the spies that condemned a generation to die in the wilderness, and the careful passage around the lands of Edom, Moav and Ammon. He then recounts the victories over Sichon king of the Emori and Og king of Bashan, whose territory east of the Jordan was given to Reuven, Gad and half of Menashe.

Themes

• Torah healing speech
• Illuminating the seventy languages
• Torah conquering the nations
• Rebuke rooted in love
• Opening Torah's wellspring
• Devarim as Shabbos Torah

Must-read teachings

1. 1Torah Healing the TongueIn the Midrash it is taught that the Torah 'releases the tongue,' and so on. The Sfas Emes opens with a Midrash that the Torah 'releases the tongue,' setting up the theme of speech and its sanctification. For it is stated, 'The heralds (mev…תרמ"ח
2. 2Power of Speech Reaching All[ ’]: The difference between Moshe previously saying to HaShem at the burning bush, and now he says is because it is only now that Moshe’s words are able to properly penetrate into Bnei Yisrael. This was done through the correct use of for…תרל"ג
3. 3Entering Through Torah's PowerThese are the words that Moshe Rabbeinu spoke to all of Bnei Yisrael: "It is eleven days from Chorev" (Devarim 1:2). The Sfas Emes opens with the verse that frames Sefer Devarim, noting that the journey from Chorev to Eretz Yisrael was only…תרנ"ט
4. 4Conquering Nations Through TorahOn the verse, "Moshe began (ho'il) to explain (be'er) this Torah" (Devarim 1:5). The piece opens on the verse that Moshe Rabbeinu began to clarify the Torah, which Chazal understood to mean he explained it in seventy languages. He explained…תרמ"ז
5. 5Revelation Hidden Within EmunahAnd it is written, "After he had smitten" (Devarim 1:4). The Sfas Emes opens with the verse describing how Moshe taught the Torah only after defeating Sichon and Og. My grandfather and teacher, of blessed memory, explained that before the s…תרמ"ד
6. 6Rebuke Rooted In LoveIn the Midrash, another explanation of "These are the words" (Devarim 1:1): the Rabbis say that the Holy One, Blessed is He, said to Moshe Rabbeinu: since they have accepted your rebukes, you must bless them, and so on; in the future I will…תרמ"ט
7. 7Devarim As Shabbos TorahOn the verse, "These are the words that Moshe spoke to all of Bnei Yisrael" (Devarim 1:1). The Sfas Emes opens with the first verse of Devarim, where Moshe addresses all of Bnei Yisrael. It is brought in the Midrashim that the Torah is divi…תרנ"ד