Parashat Devarim -Words-5785 - 2 August 2025 / 8 Av 5785

Mr. Murthy Gaddi
Jul 31
6 min read

Gaddi's Notes from the Sages Writings:

A reflective address by Moses, recounting Israel’s journey and preparing the nation for its future.

"DEVARIM – WORDS OF LOVING REBUKE AND SEEDS OF REDEMPTION"

📖 “These are the words…” (Deut. 1:1)

“אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל”These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on the other side of the Jordan, in the desert, in the Aravah, opposite Suf, between Paran and Tofel, Lavan, Chatzerot and Di-Zahav. It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb (Sinai) by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-Barnea. It came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the children of Israel, according to all that G‑d had given him in commandment to them — after he had slain Sichon the king of the Emorite, who dwelt in Cheshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who dwelt at Ashtarot in Edrei —Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this Torah, saying:

🔍 Sages' Insights:

Sifrei and Rashi: These are not geographical markers, but coded rebukes for Israel’s past transgressions.
Moses refrains from direct criticism and instead uses place names as hints, demonstrating a fundamental Torah principle: “Tochacha (rebuke) must be delivered with love and sensitivity.”
“Rebuke is effective only when it comes from one who loves.” – Yalkut Shimoni
This is echoed in the contrast made by the sages:

“It would have been fitting for Balaam to deliver rebuke and Moses to bless, but G‑d reversed this, so that Moses who loved them would rebuke them, and Balaam who hated them would bless them.” – Yalkut Shimoni on Devarim 1:1

📍 The List of Places — Veiled Rebukes (Sifrei, Rashi)

Each place Moses mentions encodes a sin from Israel’s wilderness journey:

Place	Sage’s Interpretation
Midbar (Desert)	Allusion to complaining about dying in the desert (Ex. 17:3)
Aravah (Plain)	Baal Peor—sexual immorality and idolatry (Num. 25)
Suf (Reed Sea)	Complaints at Yam Suf: “Were there no graves in Egypt?” (Ex. 14:11)
Paran	The sin of the spies—originated in the Wilderness of Paran (Num. 13)
Tofel & Lavan	Complaints about the white manna (Num. 21:5); the names mean “libel” and “white”
Chatzerot	Where Korach’s rebellion occurred
Di-Zahav	Golden calf, caused by “too much gold” (Ex. 32)

The sages emphasize: Moses did not shame the people directly.

The Sifrei comments: “From this we learn that one who rebukes should do so indirectly, to preserve dignity.”

🧡 A Prophet Who Justifies Israel

The Chassidic masters offer a powerful insight:“To Israel, Moses spoke words of rebuke; but to God, he spoke only praise and justification for His people.” – Chassidic Saying

This reflects the two faces of leadership:

To the people: guide and refine.
To God: defend and uplift.

💡 Talmud (Shabbat 89b)

When Moses is in heaven receiving the Torah, the angels protest. Moses defends Israel:“They sinned and You forgave them. Shouldn’t they be given the Torah?”Even in their failings, Moses advocates for them before the Divine.

🗺️ “It is eleven days from Horeb…” (Deut. 1:2)

🔍 Rashi (based on Talmud, Taanit 29a):

The journey from Horeb (Sinai) to Kadesh-Barnea should have taken 11 days.
But God compressed it into 3 days out of love, to hasten their entry into the Land.
Yet, due to the sin of the spies, they lost this opportunity, and were sent back for 40 years.
“See what you have caused.” – Moses reminds the people not just of their sin, but of what could have been.

This reflects the sage’s teaching:

“God’s kindness rushes to bless; our sins delay the blessing.” –Midrash Tanchuma, Devarim 1

🌍 “Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab…” (Deut. 1:5)

“הוֹאִיל מֹשֶׁה בֵּאֵר אֶת־הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת”

🔍 Rashi:

“Moses explained the Torah in seventy languages.”This is a preparation for entry into the Land, and for the future exile where Torah would need to be accessible in all nations and languages.

The Midrash(Tanchuma, V'Zot HaBeracha 4) says:“Moses foresaw the exile of Israel and made Torah accessible in every tongue, so they could never say: ‘We didn’t know.’”

This aligns with the teaching:“The Torah belongs to every soul of Israel, in every place, and in every language.” –Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin

✨ Kabbalistic and Messianic Overtones

The Baal HaTurim: Notes that “Eleh HaDevarim” (אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים) has the same numerical value (gematria) as “Moshe rebuked with love” (מֹשֶׁה הוֹכִיחַ בְּאַהֲבָה = 613).
Zohar (Vol. 3, 221a): Moses’ rebuke is not just chastisement — it is rectification (tikkun). By re-telling the sins with mercy and coded words, he is spiritually cleansing the collective memory.
Connection to Mashiach: The sages compare Moses and Mashiach:
- Both are redeemers.
- Both teach Torah with clarity (as Moshe did in 70 languages).
- Mashiach, like Moses, will rebuke with love(Isaiah 11:4 – “He will rebuke with righteousness”).
- “The Mashiach will complete what Moses began — a Torah that descends into every tongue, into every soul.” –Malbim on Isaiah 2:3

🪔 Final Reflection: Love-Filled Rebuke and the Torah of Redemption

What we see in these opening verses is not merely history or geography — but the ethics of leadership, the delicacy of rebuke, and the cosmic preparation for redemption.

Moses, the faithful shepherd, prepares Israel for the Land by reminding them of the past —with compassion.

He models how true leadership corrects not with shame, but with memory and love.

His retelling becomes a Torah of integration — preparing the generation to engage with reality, responsibility, and revelation.

And through his words, he plants the seeds of the Torah of Mashiach, which will be understood by all, in all languages — transforming rebuke into blessing, and history into destiny.

Moses "Explains the Torah" (1:5) – Seventy Languages

“בֵּאֵר אֶת הַתּוֹרָה” – He clarified the Torah🔹 Rashi: Moses translated it into seventy languages.

🔹 Chassidic Interpretation:70 languages = 70 nations of the world. Moses begins the process of universalizing the Torah — preparing it to be accessible not only to Israel, but to all humanity in the days of Mashiach.

“The Torah must be explained in all languages because its light is meant to reach all corners of the world.”– Sfat Emet

🔹 Zohar (Devarim 262a):“The explanation of Torah in seventy languages is the spark of the future revelation of Mashiach, who

will teach Torah to all nations.”

Conclusion: The Inner Landscape of Devarim’s Opening

The opening verses of Devarim are not only a farewell address but a spiritual initiation:

Moses transforms rebuke into love.He guides Israel through their inner wilderness, naming their failures with compassion.

He defeats the klippot of ego and pride.He opens the gates of a universal Torah — in 70 languages, for 70 nations.

He prepares the generation to cross the Jordan — a metaphor for entering the next phase of redemption.These verses begin the Torah’s final descent — not to escape the world, but to transform it, and to welcome the coming of Mashiach, who will complete what Moses began.

Devarim - Words -Divine Energy

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