Question: Why was Deuteronomy written? Deuteronomy is referred to as Mishneh Torah, which is commonly translated as “Repetition (or Review) of the Torah,” or as “Explanation of the Torah”. These are the final words of Moses emerging from his face to face friendship with יהוה. Moses could not have given this message on the day of their exodus. His knowledge …
MATOT (tribes)/ MASSEI (stages)
Moses describes the laws of oaths; the Israelites battle the Midianites; the tribes of Reuben and Gad request to dwell outside of the Land of Israel. Numbers 30:1 And Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes concerning the Children of Israel saying, This is what יהוה has commanded. 2 If a man makes a vow to יהוה or obligates …
Pinchas (Phinehas)
In this Torah portion, יהוה makes a covenant of peace with Phinehas and his descendants, orders a second census, settles questions about inheritance, appoints Joshua to succeed Moses and lists the sacrifices for the appointed times. Numbers 25:10 And יהוה spoke to Moses saying, 11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned away את־ …
Balak, King of Moab
Balak, the king of Moab, hired the prophet Balaam to curse the people of Israel. Balaam repeated futile attempts to curse Israel, but Elohim insisted that he bless Israel. Elohim wanted these magnificent blessings to come to Israel through the agency of the wicked and immoral Balaam, so that all the world would know that everyone is helpless to harm Israel against …
CHUKAT (ordinance of)
In this Torah reading יהוה instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the red heifer, whose ashes purify a person who has been contaminated by contact with a dead body; Miriam dies and the people thirst for water; Moses hits a rock in anger to bring forth water rather than speaking to it and is denied entry to the Promised Land; Aaron dies, …