From Our Sages

The Jewish Weekly | July 12, 2026

"These are the words which Moshe spoke to all Israel" (Devarim 1:1)
The primary thing Moshe demanded is "to all Israel"—that there should be unity among the people, and everyone should live together in love and friendship. (the Vilna Gaon)
"After he struck Sihon... and Og" (Devarim 1:4)
After Moshe risked his life to save Israel by defeating Sihon and Og, he came to Israel with words of rebuke and mussar. This hints to Jewish leaders: if they want their words to be accepted by the people, they should first do things that benefit them physically, and afterwards rebuke them—then their words will be accepted. (Iturei Torah)
"The L-rd our G-d spoke to us in Horeb, saying: 'you have dwelt long enough at this mountain'" (Devarim 1:6)
G-d told Israel at Mount Sinai not to look at obstacles as if they were an impassable mountain. Rather, they must overcome all obstacles as if they were a mere thread. (Maor V'Shemesh)
"How can I alone bear..." (Devarim 1:12)
This verse is customarily read in the melody of Eichah, teaching that one who refuses to share responsibility for the community, thinking this will be easier for him, will find himself in a worse state—leading to weakness and isolation, "O how has the city remained lonely......" (Rabbi Yosef Yozel Horowitz)
"And I commanded your judges... 'hear between your brothers'" (Devarim 1:16)
Judges are accustomed to seeing themselves as superior while viewing litigants as wicked. Therefore they are commanded to relate to them as "brothers." (Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin)

"These are the words which Moshe spoke to all Israel" (Devarim 1:1)
The primary thing Moshe demanded is "to all Israel"—that there should be unity among the people, and everyone should live together in love and friendship. (the Vilna Gaon)
"After he struck Sihon... and Og" (Devarim 1:4)
After Moshe risked his life to save Israel by defeating Sihon and Og, he came to Israel with words of rebuke and mussar. This hints to Jewish leaders: if they want their words to be accepted by the people, they should first do things that benefit them physically, and afterwards rebuke them—then their words will be accepted. (Iturei Torah)
"The L-rd our G-d spoke to us in Horeb, saying: 'you have dwelt long enough at this mountain'" (Devarim 1:6)
G-d told Israel at Mount Sinai not to look at obstacles as if they were an impassable mountain. Rather, they must overcome all obstacles as if they were a mere thread. (Maor V'Shemesh)
"How can I alone bear..." (Devarim 1:12)
This verse is customarily read in the melody of Eichah, teaching that one who refuses to share responsibility for the community, thinking this will be easier for him, will find himself in a worse state—leading to weakness and isolation, "O how has the city remained lonely......" (Rabbi Yosef Yozel Horowitz)
"And I commanded your judges... 'hear between your brothers'" (Devarim 1:16)
Judges are accustomed to seeing themselves as superior while viewing litigants as wicked. Therefore they are commanded to relate to them as "brothers." (Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin)

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The Jewish Weekly | July 17, 2026