Vaetchanan

In this parsha

Moshe recounts how he pleaded with Hashem to enter the Land, and how his request was refused; instead he was shown it from afar. He urges the people to guard the mitzvos without adding or subtracting, recalls that at Sinai they heard a voice but saw no form, and warns against idolatry. He designates cities of refuge east of the Jordan, repeats the Ten Commandments, and proclaims the Shema — Hashem is One — together with the command to love Him and teach these words to the children.

Themes

• Tefillah drawing near
• Eretz Yisrael as free gift
• Renewing Sinai daily
• Shema as testimony
• Shabbos as testimony
• Awakening innate love

Must-read teachings

1. 1Binding Oneself To TefillahIn the Midrash, regarding the laws of tefillah: "One should not raise his voice..." "evening and morning and afternoon..." this is a sign for tefillah; "if a person directs his heart in tefillah..." "ten expressions..." The Sfas Emes opens …תרל"ג
2. 2Tefillah After Divine AssuranceRegarding what Rashi and Chazal said: even though tzaddikim are entitled to lean upon their own good deeds, they request only a free gift. Tzaddikim could rely on their good deeds, yet they choose instead to ask Hashem only for an undeserve…תרמ"ו
3. 3Receiving Eretz Yisrael as GiftIn the Midrash it is taught that there are ten expressions of tefillah, and yet of all of them Moshe Rabbeinu davened only with 'tachanunim' — supplications, the language of beseeching an undeserved gift. Chazal list ten words the Torah use…תר"מ
4. 4Renewing Matan Torah DailyIn the Midrash on the verse "For what great nation is there that has Hashem so near to it" (Devarim 4:7), Chazal derive the requirement to join the recitation of Krias Shema directly to the Shemoneh Esrei tefillah. Chazal learn from this ve…תרמ"א-תרמ"ב
5. 5Daily Testimony Through ShemaIn the parsha of "Shema Yisrael." The piece opens on the verses of Krias Shema as its subject. "Shema" denotes a gathering and an ingathering, that Bnei Yisrael should become servants of the One God. The word "Shema" carries the sense of ga…תרנ"ח
6. 6Testimony Through the NeshamahThe Midrash asks: From where did Bnei Yisrael merit Krias Shema? From the giving of the Torah, with the words "Anochi Hashem Elokecha" ("I am Hashem your God") and so forth. The Midrash teaches that Bnei Yisrael earned the merit of declarin…תרנ"ט
7. 7Indwelling Godliness Revealed on ShabbosRegarding the teaching that "Zachor" (Remember) and "Shamor" (Guard) were spoken in a single utterance. The Sfas Emes opens with the well-known teaching that the words "Zachor" and "Shamor" of the Shabbos commandment were spoken by Hashem s…תרמ"ז
8. 8Daily Renewal Through LoveIn the parsha of "Shema Yisrael... and you shall love..." (Devarim 6:4-5). The Sfas Emes opens with the parsha of Shema and its command to love Hashem. "And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart" (Devarim 6:6). H…תרמ"ד