Devarim — Deuteronomy
Moses' farewell — a review of the Torah, the renewal of the covenant, and the passing of leadership.
Devarim (דְּבָרִים), meaning "Words," is the fifth and final book of the Torah. It consists almost entirely of Moses' farewell addresses to the Jewish people on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Land of Israel. Moses reviews the history of the wilderness years, repeats and expands many of the Torah's laws, and urges Israel to remain faithful to God.
For Noahides, Devarim contains some of the most powerful expressions of monotheism in all of Scripture — including the Shema, the declaration of God's unity. It also contains the universal vision of the prophets: a world where all nations will recognize the one God and live according to His ways.
Weekly Portions of Devarim
- Devarim — Moses reviews the journey from Sinai, the sin of the spies
- Vaetchanan — Moses' plea to enter the Land, the Ten Commandments repeated, the Shema
- Ekev — Reward for obedience, the second paragraph of the Shema, the manna recalled
- Reeh — Blessing and curse, the chosen place of worship, laws of kashrut and tithes
- Shoftim — Laws of judges, kings, priests, prophets, and cities of refuge
- Ki Tetze — 74 commandments covering family, property, and social ethics
- Ki Tavo — First fruits, the blessings and curses on Mount Gerizim and Ebal
- Nitzavim — The covenant renewed with all of Israel, the call to choose life
- Vayelech — Moses' final day, the commandment to write the Torah, Joshua appointed
- Haazinu — Moses' song of witness, God's faithfulness and Israel's future
- Vezot HaBracha — Moses blesses each tribe, his death on Mount Nebo, the end of the Torah