PARSHA PIZZAZZ
PARSHA POINT – Why does Moshe have to redo the covenant, the agreement between Hashem and the Jewish people? What makes this one different? The Or Chayim haKodesh explains that until now, each Jew was responsible for his or her actions alone. Now, each Jew has to take responsibility for each other, and not just themselves.
After hearing all the curses that would happen if they didn't listen to Hashem, the Jewish people became very frightened. Moshe reassured them that Hashem would never forget them, and make sure that the Jewish people repent, do teshuvah. When that happens, Hashem will bring them to Israel, and give them many blessings. Therefore, Moshe tells the Children of Israel, remember that keeping the mitzvoth is easy to do. The Torah is not far away in the heaven or over the sea.
PARSHA POINT – Why does Moshe tell the Jewish people that the Torah isn't in Heaven or across the sea? Rabbi Avdimi bar Hama in the Talmud (Eruvin 55a) explains how important it is to set aside fixed times to study Torah. If the Torah had been in Heaven or across the sea, we would have been required to go get it.
