Deuternonomy D'varim

D’varim
Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22

I. Summary

A. D’varim = (These are the) “words” (that Moses addressed to all Israel).

B. Moses recounts 1) Israelite departing Egypt and going into wilderness, 2) Moses delegating dispute responsibility to tribal leaders 3) Israelite scouts scoping out Canaan and 4) Israelite cowardice growing from lack of faith (believing reports of pessimistic scouts and refusing to enter Canaan). (1:1–33)

C. Moses recounts 1) God mandating that Israelite generation that left Egypt (including Moses but excluding Caleb and Joshua) in wilderness, 2) God appointing Joshua to succeed Moses, 3) God ordering Israelites back into wilderness (rather than sending them into Canaan) and 4) God refusing to help Israelites against Amorites and resulting Amorite victory over Israelites. (1:34–45)

D. Moses jumps ahead 38 years and recounts 1) God refusing to allow Israelites to conquer territories of Edom or Moab, 2) death of all Israelite warriors who left Egypt (as God had intended) and 3) Israelite victory over two Amorite kingdoms. (1:46–3:11)

E. Moses recounts 1) apportioning of conquered land among Israelite tribes, 2) negotiated agreement with tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Manessah (to temporarily participate in military occupation of Cannan and then return to east side of Jordan) and 3) Moses giving pep talk to Joshua and Israelites (telling them that God will be with them in future conquest of Canaan). (3:12–22)

II. Commentary (Plaut, various websites, Jewish Study Bible, prior Hevreh discussions)

A. Purpose of Moses’ discourse to Israelites – Why does Moses recount to Israelite experience since they left Egypt? - 1) For God – final opportunity to use Moses as vehicle to motivate and impress words of God on Israelites before they enter Promised Land. 2) For Moses – his last opportunity to function as Israelite leader and send Israelites into Canaan with proper mindset. 3) For Israelites – final opportunity to hear words which help them complete evolution into independent thinking people with commitment to live by God’s words.

B. Moses skipping middle 38 years of Israelites’ 40-year wilderness experience – Does fact that Moses does not recount middle 38 years take any significance away from that period? Presumably NO but why not? … possible reasons: 1) every day counts, 2) Moses’ focus on beginning and end helps Israelites see how they have evolved to an independent people ready for Promised Land but middle 38 years absolutely necessary to achieve that evolution.

C. Inconsistency in narrative of Deuteronomy v. Numbers - Deuteronomy recognizes only Caleb (v. Caleb and Joshua in Numbers 14:6) as the spy who spoke optimistically and therefore deserving of entering the Promised Land. Joshua is rewarded not because of his role as an optimistic spy but simply because of his role as Moses’ lieutenant and ability to lead the nation after Moses. Further, Deuteronomy says Moses denied entrance to the Promised Land as punishment for his individual sin of going along with judgment of pessimistic spies, i.e. sharing responsibility with Israelites (Deut. 1:37) v. Moses’ individual punishment for him hitting rock twice (see Numbers).

D. Validation of monotheism - God is recognized as the only God for all people i.e. Israelites and non-Israelites (Deut. 6:4). Monotheism is proclaimed in its full force

III. Lessons for today

A. Cumulative experience shapes who we are - Our moral make-up and priorities today are a function of the cumulative experiences of our ancestors … who we are today will add to the mix of the kind of people our descendants will be. This is both comforting (after our physical death, our life-force continues to live through our children) and burdensome (our children suffer from our mistakes).

B. Justification in Torah for co-existence of Israel and Palestine - Despite the anger we might feel toward the Palestinians, Deuteronomy 2:2–7 reminds us that God did indeed promise land to other nations in the region beside Israel. Despite our feelings, we must live according to our ethical and religious precepts. Reform Judaism has always maintained that the Palestinians are entitled to coexist side by side with Israel and has also challenged the efficacy of settlements in the West Bank and Gaza.

C. People are responsible for each other as well as themselves – Per Deuteronomy, Moses was punished (by being denied access to Promised Land) for sins of Israelites (believing pessimistic scouts and therefore not having faith in God). Suggests collective responsibility and accountability.


(Revised 7/25/09)