Parshas Devarim: Holy Moses!

Our Torah portion this week, Devarim (Deuteronomy) 1:1 - 3:22, begins a 37 day review of the lessons, laws, successes and mistakes of the past 40 years in which Moses repeats over and over a need for obedience to God's laws given to us at Mt. Sinai. 

Moses Talks Torah

In a general way, Moses reminds the Israelites of their complaining during the 40 year trek. He reminds them of their ingratitude for food miraculously provided to them, freedom from Egyptian enslavement, and protection from hostile tribes during the journey.

He calls to mind their chronic doubt of God's love for them, their shirking responsibility and blaming Moses for their problems, their falling back into idol worship and giving allegiance to mere mortals who lead them astray and into much trouble.

Moses recounts why and how he appoints men of impeccable righteousness and moral rectitude to adjudicate legal matters in the Land of Israel. Regarding future judicial appointments and new legislation, he warns them to select only men who adhere to Torah principles upon which new laws will be based.

Moses adds that God will redress perversions of justice caused by immoral legal decisions and laws. He goes on to caution that unscrupulous judges will bear the sin of those who follow their immoral laws and those not held to account for breaking just laws.

Moses is not lecturing on current rabbinic law, with its moral inconsistencies regarding life issues, distorted interpretations of biblical verses, liberal allowances and creative nuances. He talks Torah principles in their purest form and teaches their application in human affairs in the Land of Israel. He translates his lectures into 70 languages so that people of all nations represented in the mixed multitude can study and learn Torah!

Despite all the mistakes that will be made in the future, the Almighty keeps his promise to give the Land of Israel to the Jews and to multiply their numbers as stars in the heavens. He leads them into victory over seven of ten Canaanite kingdoms that must be conquered before they settle in the Land of Israel, leaving the last three of Ammon, Moab, and Edom to be conquered later. 

Isaiah Repeats Moses' Talking Points

The Haftarah portion, Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 1:1-27, looks at the nation of Judah in trouble as a result of policies in Israel cautioned against by Moses. Isaiah warns of total national collapse unless the Kings seek national repentance through prayer, and legal, judicial and religious reforms that restore justice and holiness as Moses advised.

Kings Uzziah and Jotham secure the borders and make trade agreements that generate much wealth and prosperity but fail to stop state corruption and idol worship.

During the reign of Ahaz, social and moral decline worsens. Ahaz endorses child sacrifice. He builds pagan altars around the state and replaces religious icons and  appointments in the Temple with pagan ones. He joins forces with Assyria to secure the borders against threats from the northern kingdom of Israel. 

King Hezekiah heeds Isaiah's warnings. He prays for Divine guidance and help. Hezekiah restores the Temple to its original holiness and purpose. He tears down the pagan altars and makes idol worship a criminal offense. He stops paying Assyria for military support, a pivotal decision that allows God's deliverance from an Assyrian siege sure to destroy Judah.

Devarim Lessons For Today

Moses' warnings and Isaiah's prophecies pertain uncannily to current affairs. Politicians and policy makers invoke specious legal arguments concocted by biased, misguided judges to enact laws that destroy human life and human flourishing.

Religious leaders rely on outdated legal opinions to allow child sacrifice and other unholy practices that conflict with life affirming principles in Torah. Israel relies on foreign military alliances instead of God's deliverance from hostile neighbors. The historical record suggests catastrophe ahead unless we change course.

Now, as in biblical times, our future depends upon returning to holy prayer for guidance and help. As Hezekiah saved Judah, we can save Israel and the Jews around the world by restoring civic, judicial and religious leadership to the standards set by Moses. Our survival depends upon an approach to living that respects life, worships the Almighty, and relies on His deliverance in military campaigns.

As Isaiah 1:26 foretells, "And I will restore your judges as at first and your counsellors as in the beginning; afterwards you shall be called City of Righteousness, Faithful City. Zion shall be redeemed through justice and her penitent through righteousness.”

May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and good life upon us and upon all Israel. Amen.

Cecily Routman

Cecily Routman is the founder and president of the Jewish Pro-Life Foundation. She opposes abortion homicide in general and among Jews in particular and laments secular policy making in Israel that results in loss of Jewish life and delays the messianic redemption. Cecily envisions a Torah based holy Land of Israel and a world that respects the life of every human being from conception.

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