The entire book
of Devarim is one long speech given by Moshe Rabbenu before his death and
before Israel enters the Promised Land. In his humility, he had protested to
being appointed, saying: “I am not a man of many words” (Shemot 4:10). Forty
years later, at the age of 120, he encompasses the whole history and geography
of Israel in his final speech - addressing both the individual and the Nation
as a whole.
Throughout
the past century, a great debate has been going on regarding whether it is up
to us to conquer and settle the land, or whether we should sit and wait for
G-d’s promise to be fulfilled. This week’s parashah contains the promise: “See,
I have presented you with the Land” (Devarim 1:8). Although this seems to imply
that G-d will ensure that we get the Land, we are immediately commanded: “Come
and possess the Land which Hashem swore to your fathers, to Avraham, Yitzchak
and Yaakov, to give to them and to their descendants after them” (ibid.).
“Hashem swore,” but it is up to us to ensure that His word be done. It is both
a promise and a command. We must not rationalize that if Hashem swore, there is
nothing for us to do but sit and wait. It is precisely because He swore that we
know that our efforts are meaningful, and that they will bear fruit. We must
conquer and settle the Land.
