Va-ethchanan
Parshat Va-Etchannan/
Shabbat Nachamu
Moses continues his oration to the people. He reminds the people of their past mistakes and tries to convince the people – through the repetition of the Ten Commandments and the recital of the Sh’ma – to follow in God’s path. In that way they may be an Am Kadosh – a holy nation.
First Aliyah – Deuteronomy chapter 3:23-4:4 pp. 1005-1007
God tells Moses to look at the land to which Joshua will lead the people. The people should follow in God’s path.
Second Aliyah – 4:5-4:40 pp. 1007-1014
The people should remember the revelation at Mt. Sinai and continue to be inspired by it. If the people fail to follow God then they will perish, but if they observe the commandments they will be rewarded.
Third Aliyah – 4:41-4:49 pp. 1014-1015
Moses sets aside three cities of refuge for those who commit manslaughter. A brief description of how the people arrived at the east bank of the Jordan.
Fourth Aliyah – 5:1-5:18 pp. 1015-1021
A reminder of the covenant made at Mt. Sinai in the form of the Ten Commandments. We rise as they are read.
Fifth Aliyah – 5:19-6.3 pp. 1021-1024
A description of how God was revealed amidst lightning and thunder. The people will inherit a land flowing with milk and honey if they follow God’s commandments.
Sixth Aliyah – 6:4-25 pp. 1024-1029
The Sh’ma and V’ahavta which are recited twice daily. A warning to continue to abide by the covenant even after settling in Israel. We are also commanded to teach our children about the covenant relationship with God.
Seventh Aliyah – 7:1-11 pp. 1029-1031
Laws against intermarriage with seven foreign nations. The reason is to maintain the status of a holy nation – Am Kadosh.
Maftir – 7:9-11 p. 1031
Haftorah – Isaiah 40:1-26 pp. 1033-1036
This Shabbat is called Shabbat Nachamu (be consoled) based on the first word of the Haftorah. This is the first in the series of seven Haftorahs between Tisha B’Av and Rosh Hashanah. Isaiah tries to console the people after the destruction of the Temple. God, like a shepherd will gather and tend Hs flock once again.
10881 Lockwood Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20901 P: (301) 593-3410 F: (301) 593-0280
Page Maintained By: webmaster@shaaretefila.org. Site by HG Interactive.