Deuteronomy-Chap-33
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Please Note: Some
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of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been
corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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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
33 represents the spiritual “final will and testament” of Moses. Unlike the
stinging rebukes found in the ‘Haazinu’ (the
previous chapter), this is a moment of pure grace. As Moses prepares to ascend
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Let us read Deuteronomy Chapter 33:1-29: (JPS-1917 version of the
Torah).
1. And
this is the blessing wherewith Moses the man of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) blessed the children of
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Below
are the Explanations of verses 1 to 29:
Explanation Verse 1: The title that was given, “Man
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim” is used here for the first time regarding Moses. It signals his
transition from a political leader to a semi-divine intercessor, bridging the
gap between Heaven and Earth one last time.
Explanation Verse 2: Moses begins with a “theophany”, a manifestation of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. Mentioning Sinai, Seir, and Paran suggests that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim offered the Torah to other nations (Esau in Seir,
Ishmael in Paran) before
Explanation Verse 3: Even while choosing
Explanation Verse 4: This is one of the most famous
verses in the Torah. The Torah is described not as a burden, but as a Morashah, a heritage or inheritance. It
belongs to every member of the community equally.
Explanation Verse 5: “Jeshurun"
is a poetic name for
Explanation Verse 6: Moses starts with the
firstborn. This is a prayer for Reuben’s survival, likely because their
territory (East of the
Explanation Verse 7: "And this for
Judah, and he said: Hear, יְהוָה - LORD,
the voice of
Explanation Verse 8: The Urim
and Thummim were the oracular tools of the High
Priest. Levi is praised for remaining loyal to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim even when the rest of the people faltered during the desert trials.
Explanation Verse 9: This refers to the Levites'
zeal during the Golden Calf incident. They chose loyalty to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim over family ties, proving their fitness for the priesthood.
Explanation Verse 10: The Levites are the national
educators and the liturgical heart of the nation. Their role is twofold:
teaching the law and facilitating the sacrificial service.
Explanation Verse 11: Because the Levites have no land of
their own, Moses prays for their physical sustenance (tithes) and protection from
those who might resent their spiritual authority.
Explanation Verse 12: “Between his shoulders” is a
geographical prophecy; the
Explanation Verse 13: Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh)
receives the blessing of agricultural abundance, both from the rains above and
the aquifers below.
Explanation Verse 14: This refers to crops that ripen in
the heat of the sun and those (like certain tubers or night-blooming plants)
influenced by the lunar cycle.
Explanation Verse 15: The hill country of Ephraim was
famous for its terrace farming and ancient forests.
Explanation Verse 16: Moses invokes the “Burning Bush”
(his own first encounter with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim) to bless Joseph, the “prince” who was once separated from his brothers
but rose to greatness.
Explanation Verse 17: Joseph’s tribes are depicted as a
powerful ox, representing the military might and demographic growth of the
Northern tribes.
Explanation Verse 18: This describes a partnership: Zebulun “goes out” (maritime trade), while Issachar stays
in “tents” (Torah study). They support each other materially and spiritually.
Explanation Verse 19: Through their trade, these tribes
bring foreign nations toward the knowledge of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. The “treasures of the sand” may refer to the production of glass or
the Techelet dye from sea
snails.
Explanation Verse 20: Gad’s territory was on the
frontier. Moses blesses them with the ferocity of a lion to defend the borders.
Explanation Verse 21: Gad chose his land early but kept
his word to cross the
Explanation Verse 22: Dan is described as a young,
energetic lion, reflecting the tribe’s eventual migration to the northern
reaches of the
Explanation Verse 23: Naphtali’s land included the
Explanation Verse 24: Asher’s territory was legendary for
its olive groves. “Dipping his foot in oil” suggests such abundance that the
oil flows on the ground like water.
Explanation Verse 25: Moses promises Asher security (iron
gates) and a life where their inner strength never fades as they age.
Explanation Verse 26: Moving from individual tribes back
to the whole nation, Moses praises the unique majesty of
Explanation Verse 27: This provides a beautiful image of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as a cosmic refuge, holding
Explanation Verse 28: The ideal state of
Explanation Verse 29: The final verse of the blessing. Moses concludes that
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My Closing
Message:
Deuteronomy
33 Moses blesses the ‘scholar’, the ‘farmer’, and the ‘soldier’ differently,
acknowledging that each tribe has a unique “portion” and a specific way to
serve אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim. As we close this chapter, we see that a
leader’s final act should not be a demand for obedience, but an ‘affirmation of
the potential within his people’. Moses leaves them with the image of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s “everlasting arms” beneath them, ensuring that even as he departs, they
will never be alone!
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