When the Torah describes the laws of going out to war, it lists several exemptions for soldiers: One who has built a new house and not dedicated it, planted a new vineyard, or became engaged to be married. Yet, the Torah adds one unusual exemption: And the officers shall speak further to the people, and they shall say, ‘What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest his brethren’s heart melt like his heart.’” (Devarim 20:8).

This week’s parsha opens with a stark choice: “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; a blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: and a curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which you have not known.” (Devarim 11:26-28). At first glance, the choice seems obvious. Who would ever choose a curse over

In this week’s parsha, Moshe addresses the nation on the brink of entering the Land of Israel: “Hear, O Israel, today you cross the Jordan, to come and drive out nations that are greater and mightier than you, cities that are great and fortified up to the heavens… But you know that today that Hashem your G-d – He crosses before you, a consuming fire: He will destroy them and He will subjugate them before you. (Devarim 9:1-3). Moshe tells the people that despite the might of

In this week’s parsha, Moshe tells the Bnai Yisroel that the nations of the world will hear about the decrees of the Torah, and they will say: “Surely a wise and discerning people is this great nation!” (Devarim 4:6). Moshe explains the reason for this admiration: “For which is a great nation that has a G-d Who is close to it, as is Hashem our G-d, whenever we call to him? And which is a great nation that has righteous decrees and ordinances (חוקים ומשפטים), such as this enti

When Moshe revisits the tragedy of the Spies in this week’s parsha, he recalls how the people rebelled after hearing the spies’ report: “You slandered in your tents and said, ‘Because of Hashem’s hatred for us did He take us out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorite to destroy us.’” (Devarim 1:27). This statement is puzzling. As the Sifsei Chachamim points out, if the people truly believed that Hashem hated them, why did they mention His having take