Netvort Devarim 5772:          One More Time

By Rabbi Joshua (Repeatedly known and the Hoffer) Hoffman

            The Book of Devarim begins with the statement, “these are the words of Moshe to all of Yisroel” (Devarim 1:1).  The word for “these” – “eileh” – is written without a “vav”, which means and. The Ohr HaChaim points out that the Rabbis have taught us that the word “vi-eileh” – “and these” – indicates a connection with what preceded, while the word “eileh” – “these” – represents a separation from what precedes.  Rashi in the beginning of Parsha Mishpatim mentions this distinction, as well.  What is its application here?  He answers with many explanations, of which we will mention only the first. 

The Ohr HaChaim begins by citing the statement in the Talmud (Megillah 31b) that the curses in the book of Vayikra were said by Moshe directly from the mouth of God, while the curses in the book of Devarim were said by Moshe from his own mouth.  Ramban extrapolates from this statement that the entire book of Devarim was said by Moshe in his own style and later dictated back to him by God.  The Ohr HaChaim, while not mentioning the Ramban, says that the entire book of Devarim consists of rebuke and guidance given by Moshe to the Jewish people before his death.  Therefore, the word “eileh” is used to introduce the book, lest one think that the other books of the Torah are also of this nature, that is said directly from Moshe’s mouth.  I would like to suggest an alternative explanation of the use of “eileh” here, that is also based on the nature of the book of Devarim, but in a way that is different than that of the Ohr HaChaim. 

The Rabbis referred to the Book of Devarim as Mishnah Torah, or the Repetition of the Torah (see Tosafos to Gittin 2a, and see also the introduction of the Netziv to his Ha’amek Davar to Devarim for a different explanation). The book consists of a recounting of the nation’s past sojourning in the wilderness and a restatement of many of the commandments given previously, although, as the Ramban points out, there are some new mitzvos as well, mostly dealing with the new circumstances that the people would encounter in Eretz Yisroel.  While the literal meaning of the term “Repetition of the Torah” would seem to indicate that there is nothing new in this material, there is much that is new. The clear example of this is the account of the incident of the spies given in Parshas Devarim.  When the spies return from their mission, we are told, they said “good is the land that the Lord our God gives us” (Devarim 1:22). This is, on its face, much different from what we are told in Parshas Shelach.  Many explanations have been given to reconcile this apparent contradiction, thought the fact remains, that this fact gives an added dimension to the episode. This is true regarding the other changes that we find in the Book of Devarim as well. 

I believe that the idea being conveyed by these changes is that whenever we study Torah we must look at it anew in a fresh way, trying to find new insights in the material.  This idea was illustrated by my teacher, Rav Aharon Soloveitchik zt”l, through a passage in Tractate Sukkah which says that the men of Yerusholayim, who were particularly scrupulous in their mitzvoh observance, would carry their lulavim for the entire day but would put them down when they read from the Torah. Rav Aharon explained this homiletically, through the seder HaChinuch, that the lulav represents the spine.  Rav Aharon took this to mean the central nervous system which includes the brain. This means, that when one approaches Torah, he must do so without any previous ideas, as if he is learning it anew for the first time.  The use of the word “eileh” in the introduction to Sefer Devarim teaches us that when we review Torah we must look at it as if we have not learned it before, and in this way constantly find new insights into it. 

Congratulations to all those who are about to complete the Daf Yomi cycle and are preparing to begin the next one anew. We also wish an easy and meaningful fast of Tisha B’Av this coming Sunday to everyone out there in Netvort Land.  May we see the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash and Yerusholayim speedily in our days.