Va’eschanan: Hashem denies Moshe’s (515!) pleas to be allowed to enter Eretz Yisrael • Do not add to or subtract from the commandments • Torah wisdom will make you great in the eyes of the nations • No nation is as close to Hashem as you are • Remember how the nation stood at Har Sinai • Hashem took you out of Mitzrayim to be His special people and to serve no one but Him • Hashem will not forsake you in exile because of His covenant • Never has any nation been shown miracles like those you have witnessed nor survived being addressed by Hashem • Hashem is supreme and there is nothing besides Him • Moshe sets aside three cities of refuge east of the Yarden • The Aseres HaDibros • Shema Yisrael • The Mitzvah of Ahavas Hashem • Tefillin and Mezuzah • Do not forget Hashem amidst plenty • Transmit the story of the Exodus to your children • Destroy the nations of the land; don’t mingle with them or learn from them • You are a holy nation to Hashem • Hashem is generous to those who love Him and keep His mitzvos • Hashem punishes His enemies
Haftarah
The haftarah of Nachamu (Yeshaya 40:1–26) relays not only the consolation over the churban, but also foretells the consolation the nation will experience in the future, following instances of pain and destruction. Despite endless persecution, “Netzach Yisrael lo yishaker”, our nation has survived, constantly rejuvenated through solace ordained from Above.
The minhag of most Ashkenazi congregations is to stand when the Aseres HaDibros are read during Kerias HaTorah of Parashas Va’eschanan. Most Sephardic congregations are particular not to follow this practice.
The haftarah of “Nachamu Nachamu Ami” is leined. This is the first in a series of seven haftaros known as the Shivasa D’nechemta, the seven haftaros of consolation.
