share torah logo

Deuteronomy 1:1 - Moses' final words begin where?

Deuteronomy 1:1 - דברים 1:1

Hebrew Text

אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן בַּמִּדְבָּר בָּעֲרָבָה מוֹל סוּף בֵּין־פָּארָן וּבֵין־תֹּפֶל וְלָבָן וַחֲצֵרֹת וְדִי זָהָב׃

English Translation

THESE are the words which Moshe spoke to all Yisra᾽el on the other side of the Yarden, in the wilderness over against Suf, between Paran, and Tofel, and Lavan, and Ḥażerot, and Di-zahav.

Transliteration

Eleh hadevarim asher diber Moshe el-kol-Yisrael be'evar hayarden bamidbar ba'arava mol suf bein-Paran uvein-Tofel veLavan vaChatzerot veDi zahav.

Hebrew Leining Text

אֵ֣לֶּה הַדְּבָרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּעֵ֖בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן בַּמִּדְבָּ֡ר בָּֽעֲרָבָה֩ מ֨וֹל ס֜וּף בֵּֽין־פָּארָ֧ן וּבֵֽין־תֹּ֛פֶל וְלָבָ֥ן וַחֲצֵרֹ֖ת וְדִ֥י זָהָֽב׃
אֵ֣לֶּה הַדְּבָרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּעֵ֖בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן בַּמִּדְבָּ֡ר בָּֽעֲרָבָה֩ מ֨וֹל ס֜וּף בֵּֽין־פָּארָ֧ן וּבֵֽין־תֹּ֛פֶל וְלָבָ֥ן וַחֲצֵרֹ֖ת וְדִ֥י זָהָֽב׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Introduction to Sefer Devarim

The opening verse of Sefer Devarim (Deuteronomy) serves as both a geographical marker and a profound introduction to Moshe Rabbeinu's final discourses to Bnei Yisrael. Rashi explains that this verse alludes to specific places where Bnei Yisrael sinned during their wilderness journey, as Moshe now rebukes them subtly before his passing. The mention of these locations serves as a reminder of past transgressions without openly shaming the people, following the principle of tochacha (rebuke) given with wisdom.

Geographical References as Allusions to Sin

  • בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְן (on the other side of the Jordan): Rashi notes that Moshe spoke from the eastern side of the Jordan, emphasizing that this was the final location before entering Eretz Yisrael.
  • בַּמִּדְבָּר בָּעֲרָבָה (in the wilderness, in the plain): The wilderness recalls the sin of the Golden Calf, as stated in Bamidbar 33:1, where the people rebelled against Hashem.
  • מוֹל סוּף (over against Suf): Alludes to their complaints at the Red Sea (Yam Suf), where they lacked faith in Hashem's salvation (Shemot 14:11).
  • בֵּין־פָּארָן וּבֵין־תֹּפֶל (between Paran and Tofel): Paran references the sin of the spies (Bamidbar 13), while Tofel (from the root "to complain") hints at their murmuring against the manna (Bamidbar 21:5).
  • וְלָבָן (and Lavan): Not the place-name, but meaning "white," referring to the manna they disparaged (Bamidbar 11:6).
  • וַחֲצֵרֹת (and Ḥażerot): The rebellion of Korach occurred here (Bamidbar 16).
  • וְדִי זָהָב (and Di-zahav): A reference to the Golden Calf (עֵגֶל הַזָּהָב), as the wordplay suggests "enough gold" (דַּי זָהָב), alluding to their misuse of gold in idolatry (Shemot 32).

Moshe's Approach to Rebuke

The Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that Moshe did not explicitly mention the sins to avoid humiliating Bnei Yisrael. Instead, he hinted at them through place names, fulfilling the mitzvah of tochacha with sensitivity. The Sifrei (Devarim 1:1) emphasizes that this method teaches the importance of delivering rebuke in a way that preserves dignity while still conveying the necessary message.

Literary Structure and Purpose

Ibn Ezra observes that the verse's detailed geographical markers serve a dual purpose: they anchor the historical setting while subtly reminding the people of their past failures. The Vilna Gaon adds that this introduction sets the tone for Sefer Devarim, which reviews the Torah's laws and history to prepare Bnei Yisrael for entering the Land with renewed commitment to Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the Torah list all these place names at the beginning of Deuteronomy?
A: Rashi explains that these place names hint at events where the Israelites sinned during their journey in the wilderness. For example, 'Di-zahav' alludes to the sin of the Golden Calf (made from gold). Moshe is subtly reminding the people of their past mistakes before teaching them new laws.
Q: What is the significance of Moshe speaking 'on the other side of the Jordan'?
A: This emphasizes that Moshe was addressing the new generation about to enter the Land of Israel. The Ramban notes that this location marks a transition point - the older generation had died in the wilderness, and now Moshe prepares their children for the next stage of their journey.
Q: Why does the verse say 'these are the words' instead of 'this is the Torah' like other books?
A: The Sforno explains that Deuteronomy contains Moshe's own words of rebuke and explanation of the Torah. While divinely inspired, this book represents Moshe conveying the Torah's message in his own way to the people before his death.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Moshe addressing 'all Israel' together?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 8a) derives from this that Torah must be taught to the entire community collectively. This teaches the importance of communal Torah study and that leaders must address both scholars and simple people when teaching God's word.
Q: Why does the Torah mention the wilderness location where Moshe spoke?
A: The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 1:2) teaches that the wilderness setting reminds us that Torah must be received with humility like the open, ownerless desert. Just as the wilderness was free for all to enter, so too Torah is accessible to all who approach it with the right attitude.