Devarim – Review as a means of Connection

By Rabbi Ezra Friedman

This week we begin reading the last volume of the five books of the Torah. Each book of the Torah has its own special message. For example, in the book of Breishit (Genesis), we learn about the values of family, honesty, and love through the stories of our fore fathers. In addition, the book of Shemot (Exodus), relays the story of the birth of the Jewish nation as well as the receiving of the Torah through which we internalize our dedication to Hashem and uniqueness as a nation.

In the following article, we will explore the message behind the last book of the Torah, Devarim. All five books of the Torah have two names. The first name of each book is its’ title, such as Breishit or Vayikra. The second name lends insight on the book’s content. For example, our sages called the fifth book Mishnei Torah, which means review, from the word Shinun (Tosafot, Talmud Gittin). The book of Devarim serves as a review of the historical events, which the Nation of Israel experienced since their departure from Egypt.

The purpose of an entire section of the Torah being written as review remains unclear. An explanation is given in the book itself. (Devarim 1,5):

“בְּעֵ֥בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֑ב הוֹאִ֣יל מֹשֶׁ֔ה בֵּאֵ֛ר אֶת־הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לֵאמֹֽר”

“There, beyond the Yarden, in the land of Mo’av, Moshe took it upon himself to clarify this Torah and said:”

The book begins by using the term clarity, meaning the purpose is to clarify the Torah as a whole. However, there was no need for the Jewish people to review the experiences that were fresh in their minds. Moshe had just received the Torah, making a deep impression on the minds of the people.  They had a deep understanding of their duties towards Hashem. Based on this knowledge, the need for clarity still remains unclear.

Similar language of clarity is found again towards the end of Sefer Devarim (27, 8):

“וְכָתַבְתָּ֣ עַל־הָאֲבָנִ֗ים אֶֽת־כָּל־דִּבְרֵ֛י הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את בַּאֵ֥ר הֵיטֵֽב”

“You are to write on the stones all the words of this Torah very clearly.”

Only in the final book of the Torah do we find the wording, “clearly”. The clarity does not originate from a lack of understanding. Here, the purpose is to strengthen a relationship, our relationship with Hashem. The need for review is meant for us to connect deeper to our history, our way of life, and to our mission as the Jewish Nation. By reviewing the Torah, it becomes a part of who we are and empowers how we live our lives.

This insight can be applied to human relationships as well. When someone shares a close relationship with someone, they often desire to experience something new together, such as an exotic family vacation or a new event.  However, following the experience, the “boredom” sets in and needs to follow up with greater stimulation. However, rather than short lived thrills, it is the search for depth and meaning that is real and everlasting. In other words, when the roots of relationships are strengthened and deepened, true connections begin.  Sometimes, a simple chat with one’s spouse over dinner shows true love between a husband and wife. When we invest in our daily actions and relationships to make them better and stronger, deeper connections are formed.

Judaism at times may seem repetitious. The same Torah is read in the exact same fashion every consecutive year.  The Shabbat table evokes the same feeling as the same customs are performed weekly. However, when delving deeper into the meaning behind the text and performing actions as a form of connecting to our Creator, then our lives take on new meaning. Rather than Devarim being redundant, the review is meant to connect us on a deeper level to the lessons learned and to the Master of the World who directs our lives.