Moses began to explain this law on the east bank of the Jordan, in the land of Moab, saying... Deuteronomy 1:5
“To
explain this law”: Moses explained Torah to the people in the seventy languages.
(In our Sages’ tradition, “seventy languages” encompasses all the languages of
the world.) Rashi, based upon a Midrash
Since
the Israelites presumably all understood and spoke the Holy Tongue, it seems
strange that Moses would teach them Torah
in other languages.
My father explained that Moses’ intention was forward looking, to Israel’s years of
exile from its Land, when they will be scattered throughout the four corners of
the world and exposed to all seventy languages. In teaching Torah in all languages, Moses prepared
Israel for its exile by stressing that wherever they will be, and whatever
language they speak, they must study and observe Torah.
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