Parshat Devarim 5777
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in the beginning of this week's parsha (Chapter 1, Pasuk 3), Vayehi B'Arba'im Shanah B'Ashtei Asar Chodesh B'Echad L'Chodesh, Diber Moshe el Bnei Yisrael K'Chol Asher Tzivah Hashem Oso Aleihem. After forty years, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moshe Rabbeinu spoke to Bnei Yisrael everything Hashem had commanded him to teach them. What is the significance of this encounter, of Moshe Rabbeinu teaching Torah to Bnei Yisrael, precisely at this point, at the end of their forty year sojourn?
We have mentioned in previous years one of the distinctions between the two forms of speech, Amirah and Dibbur. Amirah is not a form of speech which is directed at anyone in particular, nor does it expect a response. An example of this is (Bereishis, Chapter 27, Pasuk 41) Vayomer Eisav B'Libo, Eisav said to himself. Dibbur is a different form of speech. It is spoken to a particular person or group of people and is meant to have an impression; a response is intended. Since Moshe is teaching Torah to Bnei Yisrael the pasuk tells us Diber Moshe and the parsha begins with the words Eileh HaDevarim. Moshe is reviewing events and the teachings of the Torah with Bnei Yisrael He is speaking in order to make an impression on Bnei Yisrael and get a response from them, and this is why the words Dibbur and Devarim are being used.
The Sfas Emes explains why precisely at this juncture Moshe begins teaching Torah to Bnei Yisrael. The Gemara in Avodah Zarah 5B teaches, Lo Ka'i Inish A'datai D'Rabeih ad Arba'in Shenin. A person doesn’t fully understand his Rebbe until after forty years have elapsed. Moshe was teaching Torah to Bnei Yisrael over a forty year period in the desert. And he always taught them with Dibbur; gradually making more and more of an impression on them. Now at this point of having been teaching Bnei Yisrael Torah in the desert for forty years, they truly understood the teachings of Moshe Rabbienu, they were finally Yoreid L'Sof Da'ato shel Moshe Rabbeinu.
This is why the pasuk says Diber Moshe K'Chol Asher Tzivah Hashem Oso Aleihem. Sefer Devarim is called Mishneh Torah, a review of the Torah. Moshe was now reviewing the entire Torah with them because all his years of teaching them finally produced the desired effect and impression. Now that they fully understood him they were ready to be taught a review of the entire Torah.
Moshe Rabbeinu's relationship with Bnei Yisrael parallels his own relationship with Hashem. The pasuk in parshat Ki Sisa reads (Shmos, Chapter 31, Pasuk 18), Vayiten el Moshe Kechaloso Ledaber Ito. Hashem gave the Luchos to Moshe Rabbeinu after He was finished speaking with him. Rashi explains on the words Ledaber Ito that they learned together. As we mentioned, Ledaber means to say words which impact upon a person. And Rashi adds, after Hashem would teach to Moshe, they would review together what they had learned.
The Sfas Emes explains in the name of the Chidushei HaRim that Hashem reviewed the Torah with Moshe in order to give Moshe the ability to fully understand the Torah as Hashem intended. And only as a result of their constant reviewing was Moshe's understanding eventually complete with that of Hashem. Similarly, Moshe Rabbeinu taught Bnei Yisrael for forty years and only then was their understanding complete. Now he was able to review the entire Torah with them, K'Chol Asher Tzivah Hashem Oso Aleihem.
This is why our parsha begins Eileh HaDevarim. Chazal teach that the word Eileh comes to exclude that which was taught previously while V'Eileh comes to add. What is being excluded here with the words Eileh HaDevarim? The Sfas Emes explains, only now was Moshe really teaching the Torah to Bnei Yisrael in a way that was fully comprehended. When they were taught Torah beforehand they didn't fully understand their teacher. Only now, Eileh HaDevarim, were they able to fully comprehend.
Rav Tzadok points out that our parsha begins Eileh HaDevarim while last week, parshat Matos, began Zeh HaDavar. They are essentially the same term; one is singular while one is plural. What is the connection?
Rashi says on Zeh HaDavar that Moshe Rabbeinu was the only prophet who prophesied with the words Zeh HaDavar. This is because this term represents Moshe's ability to express the exact words of Hashem. He was the only prophet on this level. Similarly Eileh HaDevarim expresses that now Bnei Yisrael after forty years fully understood the teachings of their great teacher Moshe Rabbeinu. Dibbur is the attempt to speak with an impact and an influence. Zeh HaDavar and Eileh HaDevarim is when that speech has its full and total effect. Zeh HaDavar is Moshe Rabbeinu totally giving over the word of Hashem, while Eileh HaDevarim is Am Yisrael being one with the teaching of Moshe Rabbeinu.
Good Shabbos and may we merit to see the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash speedily in our time!
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