The Torah then returns to Moses’s instructions to the Levites regarding the Torah he has recorded. He commands them to lay it by the Ark of the Covenant, where it should serve as witness. He reminds them that they have been rebellious during his lifetime, and he has no reason not to anticipate their continued rebellion against God after his death. He therefore instructs the Levites to gather the elders and officers of the tribes, so that he can speak to them, calling heaven and earth as witnesses, and he recites God’s song. The words of the song itself appear in next week’s portion.
Virtual Classroom Discussion
Why do you think it was important to place the Torah scroll by the Ark of the Covenant?