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Nitzavim/Vayelech -
Fifth Aliyah |
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Moses instructs Joshua once again, this time in front of the entire nation, regarding his leadership of the impending conquest of the Land of Israel. He stresses that G-d swore to give
us this land, and that Joshua was to fulfill this oath without fear or trepidation. Moses then wrote the Torah and handed it over to the
elders and to the Kohanim (priests) who were charged with carrying the Holy Ark.
Once every seven years, when the Jewish people come to the Temple on Sukkot, they are to fulfill the commandment of hakhel (gathering). The entire nation - men, women and children as well as gentiles - are to gather and listen to the reading of the Torah as an affirmation of their faith. This is to insure that future
generations will be inspired to fear G-d in the Land of Israel.
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| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. Why does the Torah emphasize that Moses charged Joshua in front of the entire nation (31:7)?
2. We find that Joshua is repeatedly told to be strong and brave (see also Joshua ch.l). What does the fact that this has to reiterated so many times indicate?
3. Why do you think the concern for fearing G-d is expressed specifically in the context of the Land of Israel? What does this say about our relationship to G-d and being in Israel?
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"Converts that do not know are obligated to concentrate and listen intently with joy and trembling as [they did on] the day the Torah was given at Sinai. Even great sages, who know the entire Torah, are obligated to listen with great concentration. And one who cannot understand concentrates and listens to the reading, for the sole intent of the Torah (in this commandment) is to strengthen the true belief. Every person should see himself as if he is receiving the Torah now, and as if he is hearing it from the Almighty, for the king is the emissary of G-d to transmit his words."
Rambam (Maimonides), Hilchot Chagigah 3:6
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Why does the reenactment of the Sinai experience take place in the context of the Sabbatical cycle? (See also Leviticus 25:1-2).
This reenactment is to take place in the Temple. Why is the Temple the appropriate replacement for Mount Sinai? What does this say about the Temple in general?
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