In this week’s portion, Moses continues his farewell speech to the people. Here, he repeatedly warns the people against falling into the trap of idolatry. He reminds them of the incident at Ba’al Pe’or, in which the people sinned and a plague wiped out thousands, as well as the revelation at Mount Sinai. He tells the people they must teach their children God’s laws because He took them out of the bondage of Egypt to serve Him.
The Portion of Va’etchanan
וָאֶתְחַנַּן אֶל־יְהֹוָה בָּעֵת הַהִוא לֵאמֹר׃ I pleaded with Hashem at that time, saying, וְשָׁמַרְתָּ אֶת־הַמִּצְוָה וְאֶת־הַחֻקִּים וְאֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם לַעֲשׂוֹתָם׃ Therefore, observe faithfully the Instruction—the laws and the rules—with which I charge you today.