Torah Portion of the Week

Building Character through the Themes of the Weekly Torah Portion

Torah

Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11

Next Reading:

August 9, 2025

15 Av, 5785

Haftarah

Isaiah 40:1–26

וָאֶתְחַנַּן אֶל־ה׳ בָּעֵת הַהִוא לֵאמֹר׃

Va-et-cha-nan el–A-do-nai ba-et ha-hi le-mor:

And I besought the Lord at that time, saying:

Deuteronomy 3:23

Va’etchanan means “and I implored” or “and I pleaded.” Va’etchanan begins by Moses reminding the people that he had pleaded with God to allow him to enter the Promised Land. Two of the most familiar passages in the Torah are contained in this Torah portion: the Shema and the reiteration of the Ten Commandments.

The Shema is the declaration of faith in One God. It contains the commandment to love God with all your heart, soul, and strength, to study His Words and teach your children to do the same, and to bind the words as reminders on your arm and head, and to write them on the doorposts of your home.

Written on two tablets of stone, the Ten Commandments are a powerful set of principles laid out which teach us how to live an ethical, moral life. The first tablet, containing the first five commandments, deals with one’s relationship with God, while the second tablet, containing the second five commandments, deals with one’s relationship with one’s fellow. While these Ten Commandments speak for themselves, here are a few brief insights into each one:

1. I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

This is the first and foremost commandment. There is only One God, and He is the Almighty God who liberated the Children of Israel from bondage. Just as He watched over them and liberated them from their oppression, we can be confident in Him to watch over and direct the events and details of our lives.

2. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

Believing in the One True God who created the universe means not having any other gods. This could be an idol made of stone, wood, metal, or something else. It could also be something we idolize or put before God, something that we look to for fulfillment more than God, or something we feel has more control over our lives than God—such as money, fame, a person, a relationship, a hobby, or a bad situation at work. We must recognize that God—and only God—is the substance of our lives and that everything comes from Him and Him alone.

3. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.

We are not to misuse the Name of God. Acting wickedly or inappropriately “in the Name of God” is never acceptable. Using His Name as a swear word is never acceptable. Our speech is very important, especially when it comes to God’s Name. Respect and revere Him, for He is your Creator.

4. Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord thy God commanded thee.

Shabbat is a sacred day of peace, rest, gratitude, celebration, renewal, reflection, and recovery. It is an essential element of success for the upcoming week, and propels you toward your goals.

Shabbat allows the opportunity to tune out the noise of the world, reconnect with and enjoy family, friends, community, and oneself. It is a time to cease from daily worries and from the hustle and bustle; it is a time to take special note of the gifts that God has given you. Shabbat is a special day to connect with your Creator, and when you celebrate it, you are acknowledging Him as the Creator of the Universe.

5. Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God commanded thee.

With this command comes the reward of a long life. Honoring and respecting our parents, parents-in-law, and stepparents is so vital, that it is included on the first tablet of the Ten Commandments. This would include attending to their physical and spiritual needs, and treating them with awe and reverence. The special relationship between parent and child reflects the special relationship between us and God. Your time with your parents is valuable. Make the best of every moment with them.

6. Thou shalt not murder.

Life is valuable, and taking away the right to one’s life is not acceptable. Neither is it acceptable to sit by and watch the committing of this crime when you can step in and help.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Despite what society tells us today, God has already given us the recipe for true happiness when it comes to relationships and marriage. Loyalty, commitment, faithfulness—these are all the presence of moral character.

8. Thou shalt not steal.

You never have the right to take what someone else has worked hard for, and claim it as your own. Neither do you have the right to take from someone that which is not yours. If you have made an obligation to someone, but have not fulfilled it, you have stolen something from them, whether it be financially, physically, or emotionally. If someone has worked to receive wages, and they have not been paid, then their money, time, and dignity have been stolen.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

A person’s life can be destroyed by false words. Lying produces a world of confusion and hurt. Make your words count by being kind and truthful.

10. Though shalt not covet.

Sometimes, when we so badly want was someone else has, we end up jumping through hoops and stepping on everyone in our way in order to get it. When you’re more focused on what someone else has, you can easily forget that what God has given you is exactly what you need for this very moment. Be happy and content with what you have, and be happy about what others have, too.

A Glance of Hebrew | Va'etchanan STBM Messer

Pronunciation Guide for Transliterated Hebrew Words

a

[a] as in arm

ai

[ai] as in Thailand

e

[e] as in red

ei

[ei] as in eight

i

[i] as in ski

o

[o] as in score

oi

[oi] as in oil

u

[u] as in rule

ui

[ui] as in gluing

ch/kh

[ch] as in the Scottish loch

g

[g] as in good (not as in giant)

tz

[ts] as in hats

‘

short “eh” or “uh” sound

The Hebrew Scriptures in this text have been derived from the Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC), and the English translation is based off of the JPS 1917 Tanakh.