Vaetchanan

(3:23-7:11) The Ten Commandments are repeated, with slight variations. The cities of refuge are mentioned. The first section of the Shema is begun with, “You shall love the Lord your God.”

Rabbi O’s Weekly: Ve’eschanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11)Feel the Fear

July 31, 2020
Deuteronomy
Vaetchanan

Do not add to the word which I command you, nor diminish from it, to observe the commandments of the Lord your G-d which I command you. Your eyes have seen what G-d did at Baal Peor…(Deuteronomy 4:2-3)The verse above warns us not to add or subtract mitzvot. From an academic perspective, this is obvious and […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly: Ve’eschanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) Sometimes It’s Bad to Add

July 27, 2018
Deuteronomy
Vaetchanan

Do not add to the word which I command you, nor diminish from it, to observe the commandments of the Lord your G-d which I command you. Your eyes have seen what G-d did at Baal Peor…(Deuteronomy 4:2-3) The verse above warns us not to add or subtract mitzvot. From an academic or empirical perspective, this […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: V’etchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) Torah is a Fact; Don’t Add or Subtract

August 4, 2017
Deuteronomy
Vaetchanan

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: V’etchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) Torah is a Fact; Don’t Add or Subtract Do not add to the word which I command you, nor diminish from it, to observe the commandments of the Lord your G-d which I command you. Your eyes have seen what G-d did at Baal Peor…(Deuteronomy 4:2-3) The verse […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: V’eschanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) Becoming Brave to Get the Love You Crave

August 19, 2016
Deuteronomy
Vaetchanan

You shall love Hashem, your G-d, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your resources. (6:5) The verse above informs the reader that there is a mitzvah to love G-d. A theological difficulty arises from it: How can love be an obligation? Love is a feeling; either you have it or […]