7 Thought-Provoking Questions On Parashat Va'etchanan

Parashat Va'etchanan is filled with fascinating insights from our Sages. Here are seven thought-provoking questions and answers that reveal deeper layers of the parsha and its timeless messages.

1. "And I pleaded with Hashem at that time..." (Deuteronomy 3:23)

From whom did Moshe learn to pray 515 prayers?

According to the Peleh (cited in Yalkut Reuveni), Moshe learned this from the angels, who offer 515 prayers each day.

How can a person's prayers be accepted even without many merits?

Sefer Chassidim teaches that heartfelt persistence matters. A person who increases prayer, supplication, and sincere tears can merit Hashem's compassion.

What does "at that time" refer to?

The Sifrei explains that Moshe offered these prayers after the victories over Sichon and Og.

2. "Let me cross over, please..." (Deuteronomy 3:25)

How far did Moshe ask to enter the Land of Israel?

The Rokeach explains that the Jordan River was 50 cubits wide. Moshe asked to go just one cubit farther, enough to step into the Land. The extra cubit corresponds to the numerical value of the word na ("please"), whose gematria is 51.

3. "Do not continue to speak to Me further about this matter." (Deuteronomy 3:26)

What did Hashem not want Moshe to say?

The Chida explains that Hashem did not allow Moshe to say the word na ("please") a second time. Had he done so, his prayer might have been accepted, just as his prayer for Miriam was: "Please, Hashem, please heal her."

4. "I stood between Hashem and you..." (Deuteronomy 5:5)

What creates a barrier between a person and Hashem?

The Mahar"m of Kobrin offers a beautiful interpretation. The greatest barrier is anochi—the ego. When a person is consumed with "me" and "myself," it becomes difficult to draw close to Hashem.

5. "You came near and stood under the mountain..." (Deuteronomy 4:11)

How many mitzvot did Israel learn at Mount Sinai?

The Rokeach notes that the numerical value of the first and last letters of the words describing the mountain hints to the number 613, teaching that Israel did not leave Mount Sinai until they had received all the mitzvot.

6. "You will seek Hashem... and you will find Him..." (Deuteronomy 4:29)

Why does the verse begin in the plural but continue in the singular?

The Or HaChaim explains that many people seek Hashem, but each individual finds Him through a personal, wholehearted search.

As the verse concludes, "if you search for Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

7. "If only their heart would remain this way..." (Deuteronomy 5:26)

Why does the Torah emphasize "their heart"?

The Chatam Sofer explains that the Torah is teaching us who should be in control. A person's heart should belong to him, not the other way around. Rather than allowing emotions and desires to rule us, we are called to master our hearts and direct them toward serving Hashem.