Every Sefer of Chumash has its own internal theme and goal through which we can view the individual mitzvot mentioned in the Sefer. Sefer Devarim is the transition Sefer. Bnei Yisrael are going from the communal midbar experience where all the Jews lived as a community surrounding the Mishkan with Moshe Rabbenu as the ultimate leader, to the national Eretz Yisrael experience with a decentralized people spread throughout the land. With this in mind we understand why when the Moadim are mentioned only those concerning Aliyah Leregel need to be repeated (Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot) All the other Moadim can be observed by the average Jew anywhere, but on these three Moadim all Jews need to be in the Mikdash and not in their homes. Therefore, Sefer Devarim reminds the Jews that when you enter the land remember you must journey three times a year to the center of Israel and not stay in your homes.

This being said, one of the most important ideas that must be imparted to the Jews for their continuance as a nation is the idea of leadership. Without proper leadership it would be difficult to continue as a nation or a religion. In our Parsha we see the four forms of leadership needed in order to continue as the Jewish Nation.

The Shofet was to be found in every city. His job is the decider of law. We know from experience that machloket within the people and within the religion is detrimental. The Shoftim were there to make sure that all safek, doubt within the law, was clarified.

The Navi was to be the moral conscience of the Jewish people making sure that we stayed true to the underlying ethical and ideological goals of Torat Hashem.

The Cohen was the ultimate teacher. Lacking his own portion of land, the Cohen was found spread among the Jewish people teaching Torah to the next generation

The King was the ultimate political leader; guided in the ways of the Torah by all the above.

Sadly, in today’s Jewish world, we are missing true Jewish leadership. We lack the visionaries who are committed to the entire Jewish people and to Torat Hashem. One of our goals at the Yeshiva is to create a new generation of Jewish leaders who believe in the sanctity of Torat Yisrael, Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael. Through these fine young men we hope to see our religion and our land flourish.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Jason Knapel