Devarim Commentary

Devarim 1:1-3:22 

A Clear Message

The clear message of this parashat is that G-d has given the Israelites the Land (1:6-8). With that comes responsibility.

1. Don’t slander it
2. Don’t wait to take it
3. Don’t give it away

Underlying Theme

It appears that a common theme unifies the message of this parashat. Here are the passages that tie together:

“You shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is G-d’s” Devarim / Deuteronomy 1:17

“Do not fear or be dismayed.” Devarim / Deuteronomy 1:21

“Do not be in dread or afraid of them.” Devarim / Deuteronomy 1:29

“This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the peoples that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.” Devarim / Deuteronomy 2:25

“You shall not fear them; for it is the L-RD your G-d who fights for you.” Devarim / Deuteronomy 3:22

It seems obvious that the theme for this parashat is to know when to and when not to be afraid. This has several implications that we shall explore.

Current Affairs

In our present day we have a similar scenario to what was taking place in our parashat. It revolves around Israel and the Land. Currently they are seeking to achieve peace through the wisdom of man, rather than the wisdom of HaShem. They are attempting to give away pieces of the Land in a proposed exchange for peace, in hopes that by doing so their efforts will thwart terrorism. However, we know this will not happen. It will only breed more optimism to terroristic methodology. The only way for the Land to obtain peace will be through national submission to HaShem. It is unfortunate that currently the government of Israel appears to be caving to the fear of terrorism, rather than trusting in HaShem.

Bridge to the Apostolic Scriptures

The Apostolic Scriptures is connected to this:

To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of G-d. Acts 1:3

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6

Many people are excited about HaShem restoring a physical kingdom to the physical descendants of Avraham. And although HaShem is at this time restoring the physical kingdom to Israel, many who are anticipating it will miss it, because they do not have the kingdom firmly established in their lives.

Living the Kingdom

Question: Why don’t we do some of the mitzvot / commandments? What holds us back from the “lighter” mitzvot such as wearing the tzit-tzit, to the “weightier” mitzvot such as caring for the poor, the widow and the orphan?

When man is doing the will of HaShem he has no need to fear man in any aspect of life. He will empower us with proper judgement / discernment and fight our battles for us. However, if we are not doing the will of HaShem, we must fear Heaven, for the battles we fight and the decisions we make will result in destruction, just as B’nei Israel’s example Devarim / Deuteronomy 1:32-46.

He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced’. Luke 16:31.

If one turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, even his prayer is an abomination. Mishlei / Proverbs 28:9

The command to take the land, and the response from the Israelites is a classic example for us today. When we read in the Scriptures of a command, we often respond with “I will if I feel lead.” This was the sin of the Israelites. HaShem had already given them the Promised Land. They were rejecting it, because they wanted to obey on their terms. They wanted to make sure it was something they wanted to do.

If HaShem has spoken that we should keep the Sabbath, wear the tzit-tzit, eat kosher, not wear clothing of mixed fibers, pay an employee on time, rise in the presence of the grey-headed, judge without partiality, honor our parents, meet the needs of the poor, the orphan and the widow, actively protect our hearts from hate, lust and pride, refrain from taking vengeance or speaking Lashon Hara, etc… then we need to be doing it without fear of others. Not only should we be doing it, but we can do it:

“For this commandment which I command you this day is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, `Who will go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, `Who will go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”

We must also keep in mind that the mitzvot are not optional. We were created for the very purpose of doing good works:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of G-d — not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Messiah Yeshua for good works, which G-d prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

And we must encourage one another not to fall into sin through complacency:

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.” Ya’akov / James 1:22-25

“Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” Ya’akov / James 4:17.

The Torah / Law is freedom when we obey and walk in its ways. And in the things that we would not do out of fear of man, we must remember:

“The fear of man lays a snare, but he who trusts in the LORD is safe.” Mishlei / Proverbs 29:25