Two Minute Torah Podcast

Vaethanan 5769 by Rabbi Robert Abramson

Shalom, my name is Robert Abramson, and I am the USCJ Director of the Department of Education. Welcome to KOACH's Two-Minute Torah; a project of the College Department of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

In the Torah reading of Va-ethanan, Moshe continues his addresses to the Israelites as he approaches the end of his life and the children of Israel prepare for their entry in to the land of Israel. But, we have the advantage of another perspective. How did this Torah reading enter the lives of Jews in post-biblical times?

We begin with the fourth chapter of Va-ethanan. This is an extraordinary moment. The Aseret ha'Dibrot, the Ten Commandments were given at Sinai. They are found in the Book of Exodus. Moshe and God charge the people of Israel for a second time to observe the Ten Commandments.

Moshe continues to challenge and prepare the people saying, "Obey, O' Israel, willingly and faithfully, that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your people, spoke to you."

Following this there is a declaration, the first words of which every child who has gone to a congregational school or a day school knows, "Here, O Israel! The lord is our God, the Lord is one." Indeed, many children and adults know the whole paragraph.

The reason is that what was part of Moshe's speech, a long time ago became part of our liturgy. Our prayer book teaches us that, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." The word "you" carries with it an additional implication. It is in the singular. I act as a Jew when I say the Shema speaking to the you-singular. And who is this "you"? It is myself.

Moshe's speech continues into the next parashah, Ekev. Picking up the theme, the Israelites are told, "When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall give thanks to the Lord your God for the good land which God has given you." We are each charged with giving thanks to God. We are each the "you." Once again the power of liturgy colors our thoughts.