Close To Torah

Sefer Devarim contains a fascinating recap of the events that transpired to the Jews throughout their journey from Egypt. Moshe told them about their greatest and weakest moments as his last charge and directive before he passed on. Rabbeinu Bechaya comments that it is important for one to reflect upon the order of the five books of the Torah to best understand their message. He writes that a most useful place to have that recollection is at the start of the final book of Devarim. The theme of the parsha is that of order and recollection as will be explained.

The Five Books

Rabbeinu Bechaya shows the flow throughout the entire Torah. (See essay on Parshas Bereishis which ties to here as well) He states that Sefer Bereishis opens the Torah with the discussion of Hashem’s creation of the world establishing Him as the Creator and Master of all. The fact that He created the world lends to the understanding of hashgacha, His Providence. Providence leads to the understanding of reward and punishment and one’s accountability for his actions. This is something that is learned from the story of the mabul, the Great Flood which Hashem brought to punish the sinners who were acting with great perversion and against Hashem’s Will for a just and proper world.

After Bereishis comes Sefer Shemos which opens with the words, “Va’Eleh Shemos, these are the names of the son’s of Yaakov.” The vav which opens the Sefer is a vav hachibur, one that connects it to the previous. Bereishis is about Hashem’s creation of the world and the choosing of the Jewish nation. Shemos is the formation of the nation itself as it developed its identity, received an Exodus from slavery and accepted the Torah at Sinai. Shemos fortified the concept of the Unity of G-d and how He is the one who has full power to orchestrate the events of this world. Sefer Vayikra discusses karbanos, the sacrifices offered to Hashem in recognition of the Power and Unity. Sefer Bamidbar discusses the Jewish goal of entering Israel, the main place where karbanos are offered. If not for the sin of the Spies, the Jews would have entered immediately. Devarim talks about the ultimate entrance of the Jews into Israel. It also concludes talking about the final redemption which is the purpose of the world. Thus, Devarim ties back into Bereishis in the sense that it completes the cycle and purpose of the creation of the world.

Back to the Beginning

Rabbeinu Bechaya discusses the importance of “sofo nautz bitchilaso, the end cycles back to the beginning.” Any well articulate point opens with a clear goal, gives clear information and the closing remarks tie it all together. The Torah is an expression of Hashem’s endless wisdom and thus it contains the blueprint for the purpose of the creation of the world. When we study the Torah we are studying the greatest guide for life available for mankind.

Hashem’s Names

We know that the verses use different names of G-d to express various attributes. In Devarim we often find the name, “Hashem Elokim, G-d, the Judge.” Rabbeinu Bechaya explains that this name expresses Hashem’s ultimate kindness and His judgment and justice as well. In this world we experience both Hashem’s kindness and good and also judgment and accountability. Originally, Hashem created the world with din, strict judgment, which dictated that people got only what they deserved. There was no room for sins or their forgiveness. Hashem saw that the world which is a battlefield for good and evil urges, could not survive with only strict justice and thus He combined chessed, kindness, to the construct to give it permanence. Devarim ties together the attributes of kindness and judgment and extolls the nation to act properly in order to gain the favor of Hashem. One who performs mitzvos with dedication and love will merit to have Hashem’s protection and guidance. One who wishes to repent will be accepted with open arms. Devarim is about introspection and aligning oneself with one’s moral ideals.

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