Friday, 12 August, 19:00-20:30
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Kabbalat Shabbat
Torah Weekly Portion
Va-et’chanan
וָאֶתְחַנַּן
[Moses] Pleaded with the Eternal
Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11
Summary
Moses pleads with God to let him enter the Land of Israel with the people, but God once more refuses his request. (3:23–28)
Moses orders the Children of Israel to pay attention and follow the laws given by God in order to be worthy of the land they are about to receive. (4:1–40)
Specific areas of the land are set aside to serve as cities of refuge. (4:41–43)
The covenant at Sinai and the Ten Commandments are recalled. Once again, the people are exhorted to heed God’s commandments. (5:1–30)
Moses speaks the words of the Sh’ma, the credo of Judaism, and commands Israel to show their love for Adonai and keep God’s laws and ordinances. (6:1–25)
Moses warns the people not to commit idolatry by worshiping the gods of the nations they will conquer in Israel. (7:1–11)
Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/va-etchanan
Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26