Va'Etchanan (Deuteronomy 3:32 - 7:11)

description of how he begged God to allow him to enter the Land of Canaan.

This week's portion begins with a description of Moses' unanswered request from God: Moses was punished and not allowed to enter Canaan, and he begged God to change this verdict. God refused, and told Moses that he could only view the land from afar.

Moses then goes on to a long description of the value of the laws the Israelites received from God and the high regard they will be held in by the nations for keeping them. He warns them not to be tempted by any form of idolatry, and to keep the unique Covenant God made with them. Moses stresses that there is a clear link between the wellbeing of the people and keeping the covenant, a wellbeing which includes conquering the Land of Canaan.

Moses then sets apart three cities on the east bank of the Jordan as refuge cities.

Moses gathers the people of Israel and reminds them of the Sinai Covenant. He tells them that the Covenant was not made only with their forefathers who were physically present, but with the entire nation, and repeats the Ten Commandments given at Sinai. Moses describes how the elders were alarmed after having heard God's voice at Sinai and requested that Moses mediate between God and the people, for fear that a people who hear the live word of God as they did shall not be able to exist. God agreed to this request, and Moses continues to fill this roll and is told to encourage the people to keep God's laws.

In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Moses commands Israel to love God. This passage, called "Shema" (listen!) because of its first word, is a very famous one, said twice a day in prayer, written it different religious artifacts (Mezuza, Tefilin), and considered the pillar of Jewish faith.

Moses describes how the Israelites will arrive in a country already developed by others: built cities and homes, cisterns already hewn, and many crops already planted. He stresses that the Israelites must be cautious and not forget their Covenant with God and remember the Exodus.

When arriving in Canaan, the Israelites are warned not to make any covenant with any of the Canaanite peoples, and to destroy all signs of idolatry of these peoples. No intermarriages are allowed for fear that the Israelites will be tempted to idolatry.