Va-et'chanan
וָאֶתְחַנַּן
[Moses] Pleaded with the Eternal
Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11
When Is Va-et'chanan Read?
/ 13 Av 5784
/ 15 Av 5785
/ 11 Av 5786
Summary
- Moses pleads with God to let him enter the Land of Israel with the people, but God once more refuses his request. (3:23–28)
- Moses orders the Children of Israel to pay attention and follow the laws given by God in order to be worthy of the land they are about to receive. (4:1–40)
- Specific areas of the land are set aside to serve as cities of refuge. (4:41–43)
- The covenant at Sinai and the Ten Commandments are recalled. Once again, the people are exhorted to heed God’s commandments. (5:1–30)
- Moses speaks the words of the Sh’ma, the credo of Judaism, and commands Israel to show their love for Adonai and keep God’s laws and ordinances. (6:1–25)
- Moses warns the people not to commit idolatry by worshiping the gods of the nations they will conquer in Israel. (7:1–11)
More Va-et'chanan Commentaries
Video: Learn More About Parashat Va-et'chanan
Video: Learn More About Parashat Va-et'chanan
This week's Torah parsha is a sea of reeds, literally! Take the Shema and beatbox it through a harmonica...that's how Yuri Lane kicks off Parshat Va'etchanan, which teaches us how to love God with all our hearts and all our souls. Enjoy this video and more with Bim Bam.
Listen to Podcasts About Va-et'chanan
Listen to Rabbi Rick Jacobs discuss Parashat Va-et'chanan in these episodes of his podcast, On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah.
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Ten Minutes of Torah: Va-et'chanan Commentary
Fearing Death and Finding Life
By: Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste
In Va-et'chanan, Moses stands before God, pleading for his life. With misty eyes and tears of supplication dotted with desert sand, Moses asks God for just one more thing to enter the Promised Land with the Israelites, and to allow his body and heartto touch the earth on the other side of the Jordan.
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