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Moses continues to address the new generation (those born in the desert after the Exodus), now recalling a recent event that they themselves had witnessed, unlike most of the miracles which only their parents had actually seen. He encourages the nation to follow G-d’s commandments, for the word of G-d is the source of their wisdom and uniqueness and they are to serve as a model among the nations. As he teaches them, he asks that they never forget what they have seen and that they continue to pass on what they have learned to all the coming generations. Moses recalls the wonders of their formative movement, the revelation at Sinai, and warns the people of severe punishments should they turn to idol worship. He ends his words in this section by reminding the people of the great power of G-d as manifest in the many miracles they have already witnessed.
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| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. What two reasons are presented in the text for following the laws of G-d?
2. Why might Moses be so preoccupied with idolatry as a threat to the Israelite’s observance?
3. Does “idolatry” still pose a threat to the religious commitment of contemporary Jewry?
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“ ‘And there you shall serve gods’: Understand this as the Targum does: And there you shall serve peoples who serve idols, for since you serve those who serve them [idols] it will be as though you serve them.”
Rashi on 4:28
“ ‘And there you shall serve gods’:..I have already explained the secret thereof that he who dwells outside of the Land is as if he worshiped the idols.”
Ramban on 4:28
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 | | Points to Ponder | |
Praying to inanimate objects is not the only way to transgress the prohibition against idol worship. How do these two commentaries understand the meaning of “worship other gods”?
Are these explanations true to the plain meaning of the text?
What might cause Rashi and Ramban to adopt their respective interpretations?
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