Parshas Va-es-chanan 5768

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

             Moshe related how he had hoped after conquering the countries of Sichon and Og that G-d would relent from His decree and allow him to enter the land. G-d, however, refused his request, and all Moshe was allowed to do was climb a mountain and view the land from a distance.

            Moshe also exhorted the people to observe all the mitzvos, and not to detract or add anything to the mitzvos of G-d. The mitzvos can only exert their Divine influence upon a person when they are observed as the will of G-d. When a person detracts or adds to a mitzvah, i.e. introduces five or three sections in the tefillin instead of four, they become the product of his own intellect rather than those of the A-lmighty and they no longer have the same meaning or carry the same value.

            The people were also reminded them that only through keeping the mitzvos properly will they be able to earn the respect of their non-Jewish neighbors. The Torah and mitzvos themselves are the source of the Jew's wisdom, and ultimately they will be seen as such. Although some may think that the more they imitate the ways of the other nations the more respect they will gain from them, Moshe informed the nation that this is not so. Only by the meticulous adherence to all the laws of the Torah, even the ones that may not seem rational, can the Jewish people fulfill their role as a mentor to the nations of the world and thereby earn their respect.

            Moshe reminded the nation about the Divine Revelation they had experienced at Mount Sinai. No other people had ever experienced, or had even claimed to experience, anything along the scale of the Sinai Revelation. It is this experience that is the cornerstone and guarantor of the Jew's faith in G-d and the Torah. It is every Jew's responsibility to transmit this experience to his children, thereby keeping it alive for posterity. 

            The portion contains the Shema, the Jew's daily acknowledgment of G-d's mastery, His unity, and the commandment to love Him. This is considered to be central to the Jewish faith, and is thus repeated twice each day.

            The mitzvah to love G-d with all of one's heart, soul, and resources is the source for many laws. Although life is considered to be sacred in Jewish law, a Jew is obligated to forfeit his life rather than exchange his belief in G-d for any other beliefs. One must also be willing to sacrifice all of his resources in order not to transgress any of the commandments. Ultimately, it is through the sacrifice of time, effort and money that one can develop the proper love for the Al-mighty.

            Moshe warned the people that they would receive the Promised Land only if they would maintain their unique role, and not imitate the ways of the other nations.

"You shall tie them as a sign upon your hand... " (Deut. 6:8)

The Tefillin represent a Jew's devotion to G-d, both intellectually (the head tefillin) and in action (the arm tefillin). The Talmud relates that G-d, too, wears tefillin, representing His devotion to the Jewish people.

Rav Shlomo Lenchner once prayed:   "Master of the Universe! When a Jew drops his tefillin, he picks them up carefully and kisses them, since they carry Your Name. But G-d, Your tefillin carry the name of the Jewish people. Your nation is lying on the ground, trodden upon by all the other nations.  Should You not pick us up and deliver us from exile?"

Did You Know. ..

One must put mezuzah scrolls at the entrance of each room in the house. The room must be at least approximately 36 square feet to need a mezuzah, thus exempting most closets. The bathroom also should not have a mezuzah. The mezuzah must be in the top 2/3 of the doorway, preferably with the bottom of the mezuzah being right at the bottom of the top third.

Some sources recommend placing one's hand on the mezuzah when leaving or entering one's house. Others recommend placing one's hand on the mezuzah and then kissing the fingers. They also suggest offering a short prayer to G-d for success upon leaving one's home.