Deuteronomy -10-1-22
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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye
shall NOT ADD
TO THE WORD which I command
you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT,
that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Deuteronomy 10:1-22 stands at a turning point
in Moshe Rabbeinu’s final teachings. After recounting the painful episode of
the Golden Calf and the breaking of the first Tablets, Moshe now describes how יְהוָה -
the LORD commanded him to carve new tablets and prepare an ark to house them.
This moment is not merely historical; it is deeply emotional and theological.
It reveals the heart of the covenantal relationship between יְהוָה -
the LORD and
In these verses, Moshe weaves together ‘memory’, ‘law’, ‘ethics’, and ‘love’. He reminds the people of יְהוָה - the LORD’s forgiveness, of the Levites’ unique role, of the journey through the wilderness, and of the responsibility that flows from being chosen. The chapter culminates in a soaring call to fear יְהוָה - the LORD, walk in His ways, love Him, and emulate His compassion, especially toward the vulnerable.
This passage is a tapestry of covenant
renewal, ethical instruction, and Divine affection.
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Let us first read
Deuteronomy Chapter 10:1-22: (JPS-1917 version of the Torah).
1. “At that time יְהוָה - the LORD said
unto me: ‘Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto Me
into the mount; and make thee an ark of wood. 2. And
I will write on the tables the words that were on the first tables which thou
didst break, and thou shalt put them in the ark’. 3. So
I made an ark of acacia-wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the
first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in my hand. 4. And He wrote on the tables according to the first
writing, the ten words, which יְהוָה - the LORD spoke
unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly;
and יְהוָה - the LORD gave
them unto me. 5. And I turned and came down from
the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they are,
as יְהוָה - the LORD
commanded me 6. And the children of Israel journeyed
from Beeroth-benejaakan to Moserah;
there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar
his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead. 7. From
thence they journeyed unto Gudgod; and from Gudgod to Jotbah, a land of
brooks of water. 8. At that time the LORD
separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of יְהוָה - the LORD, to
stand before יְהוָה - the LORD to
minister unto Him, and to bless in His Name, unto this day. 9. Wherefore
Levi hath no portion nor inheritance with his
brethren; יְהוָה - the LORD is his
inheritance, according as יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
The LORD thy Eloheucha (God) spoke unto him. 10. Now I stayed in the mount, as at the first time,
forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me that time also; יְהוָה - the LORD would
not destroy thee. 11. And יְהוָה - the LORD said unto
me: ‘Arise, go before the people, causing them to set forward, that they may go
in and possess the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give unto them’. 12. And now, Israel, what doth יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
The LORD thy Eloheucha require of thee, but to fear יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
The LORD thy Eloheucha, to walk in all His ways, and
to love Him, and to serve יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
The LORD thy Eloheucha with all thy heart and with
all thy soul; 13. to
keep for thy good the commandments of יְהוָה - the LORD, and His
statutes, which I command thee this day? 14. Behold,
unto יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
The LORD thy Eloheucha belongeth
the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that therein
is. 15 Only יְהוָה - the LORD had a
delight in thy fathers to love them, and He chose their seed after them, even
you, above all peoples, as it is this day. 16. Circumcise
therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. 17. For יְהוָה - the LORD your אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, He is אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of gods,
and יְהוָה - LORD of lords,
the great , the mighty, and the awful, who regardeth
not persons, nor taketh reward. 18. He
doth execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loveth
the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. 19. Love
ye therefore the stranger; for ye were strangers in the
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Now let us read and understand the Commentary provided on Deuteronomy 10:1-22:
Verses 1-5: The Second Tablets: A Covenant Repaired.
יְהוָה - the LORD instructs Moshe to carve two new tablets and build an Ark. The first tablets were Divine handiwork; the second require human effort. This shift symbolizes partnership: however after sin, repair must involve human initiative. יְהוָה - the LORD still writes the words, but Moshe must prepare the stone.
The ark, teaches reverence for Torah even before its content is fully known. The message is enduring: Torah requires both Divine revelation and human preparation.
Verses 6-9: The Levites and Their Role.
Moshe briefly recounts the journey from Be’erot Bnei-Yaakan to Moserah, where Aharon died, and where his son Elazar succeeded him. The Levites are singled out as those chosen to carry the ark, serve יְהוָה - the LORD, and bless the people.
Hebrew tradition sees this as a reminder that spiritual leadership is not about privilege but responsibility. The Levites receive no territorial inheritance; יְהוָה - the LORD is their portion. Their role is service, teaching, and carrying the sacred burden, literally and figuratively.
Verse 10: Forty Days of Prayer.
Moshe recalls standing before יְהוָה -
the LORD for forty days and nights, pleading for
The verse emphasizes persistence in prayer. Even when the situation seems hopeless, Moshe does not give up on his people, and יְהוָה - the LORD does not give up on them either.
Verse 11: יְהוָה -
the LORD commands Moshe to lead the people onward to inherit the land.
Forgiveness is not merely emotional; it restores purpose. The covenant is not static, it propels
Verses 12-13: What יְהוָה - the LORD Asks of You.
These verses form one of the most beloved ethical summaries in the Torah. Moshe asks: What does יְהוָה - the LORD seek from you? To fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, serve Him with all your heart and soul, and keep His commandments.
Hebraic thought emphasizes that these are not burdens but pathways to a meaningful life. “Walking in His ways” is interpreted as imitating Divine attributes: compassion, patience, justice, and kindness.
Verses 14-15: Divine Majesty and Divine Love.
The heavens and all within them belong to יְהוָה - the LORD, yet He chose the ancestors and their descendants with love. This juxtaposition is striking: the Creator of the cosmos cares intimately for a small nation.
The message is not arrogance but responsibility. Being chosen means being called to higher ethical living.
Verse 16: Circumcise the Heart.
Moshe urges the people to “circumcise the foreskin of your heart.” This metaphor calls for removing stubbornness, opening oneself to growth, humility, and responsiveness to יְהוָה - the LORD.
Jewish commentators see this as the inner work that parallels the outer covenantal sign. True service requires a softened, receptive heart.
Verses 17-8: The God of Justice and Compassion.
יְהוָה - the LORD is described as mighty, awesome, impartial, and incorruptible yet also as the defender of the orphan, widow, and stranger. This pairing teaches that Divine greatness is expressed through moral concern for the vulnerable.
Verse 19: Love the Stranger.
Because
Jewish tradition emphasizes that empathy born of suffering becomes a moral obligation. Memory must shape behaviour.
Verses 20-22: Loyalty, Praise, and Growth.
The chapter concludes with a call to cling to יְהוָה - the LORD, swear by His Name, and praise Him. Moshe reminds the people that their ancestors were few, yet יְהוָה - the LORD multiplied them “like the stars of the heavens”.
This is both reassurance and challenge: Divine blessing is abundant, but it must be met with loyalty and gratitude!
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My Closing Message:
Deuteronomy 10:1–22 is a chapter of
‘healing’, ‘responsibility’, and ‘love’. It teaches that even after failure,
the covenant can be renewed; that Divine greatness is expressed through compassion;
and that
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