"Moses commenced the exposition of this religious law"
The Book of Devarim, or Deuteronomy, holds a pivotal role in the Jewish people's emergence in the Land of Israel. Serving as Moses' final address to the nation, it reflects on their history, covenant, and future as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
Devarim recounts Israel's journey, challenges, and divine promises while renewing the covenant with God. It emphasises the responsibilities and spiritual connection of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel.
This book acts as a profound introduction to Deuteronomy, encapsulating Moses' rebuke and encouragement before his death, reinforcing the unity of the people, their ethical obligations, and the spiritual significance of the Land. It contains Moses' review of key events such as the appointment of leaders, the sending of the Twelve Spies, and conquests relevant to settling the land.
The text and its messages awaken a deep spiritual power reminiscent of Israel’s revelation at Mount Sinai, creating a feeling of renewal and understanding of God’s will that was vital for the people as they stood on the threshold of occupying the Land physically and spiritually. The book is also tied intimately to the recitation of the Shema and public Torah readings, cementing its central role in Jewish religious life and identity connected to the Land.
The Almighty bequeathed His holy nation a holy Land in which to dwell, as indicated in the text. However, Jewish life in the Exile is considered a punishment and a curse, according to Moses's rebuke. The Torah is revealed in its fullness in the Land, according to the text.
The emergence of the Jewish People involves both Torah and military, as demonstrated by the preface of military conquest in Devarim. The principle that God's promises require action also applies to other areas, such as producing food, seeking medical help, and raising up weapons in times of war.
It is important to note that the book of Devarim is intended for the conquerors and inheritors of the Land, as the Ramban suggests. The "Mishneh Torah" refers to the Torah manifest in the Land, not an abstract Torah in books or the heavens. Devarim is not mere repetition or novel invention, but explanation, elucidating the other four books.
Moses provides his own commentary on the Torah, stating "Moses began to explain this Torah." Every Jew must write a Torah, but the king writes a separate one, called the "royal Torah." The author suggests that despite the surrounding powerful nations, they will overcome because they know God is with them.
Rav Shlomo Aviner, the Head of Yeshivat Ateret Yerusalayim, contributes to the debate on whether the Land is something to be commanded or passively waited for based on God's promise. The debate continues, reminding us of the deep spiritual and historical significance of the Book of Devarim in the Jewish people's relationship with the Land of Israel.
- The Book of Devarim, beyond its historical account, serves as a guide towards holistic wellness, emphasizing the spiritual connection to the Land, mental health through understanding God's will, and physical fitness in preparing for conquest, thus incorporating aspects of science, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health.
- The debates surrounding the relationship between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, as seen in the interpretations of Rav Shlomo Aviner and others, broaden our understanding of the book's significance in terms of health-and-wellness, mental-health, and the broader field of social science, which includes political and community dynamics.
