Renewing the Covenant

The parasha presents the “Covenant of the Plains of Moav,” which essentially is a renewal of the Covenant of Sinai. This covenant was made on Moses’ last day of life. [Rashi on 29:9]

My father explained the need for renewing the covenant. For the forty years since the exodus (which ended with the Israelites’ entry into the Promised Land, one month and three days after Moses’ death), the Children of Israel had lived a supernatural life, during which God has provided all of their needs directly. As we read in last week’s parasha:

I led you forty years in the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out upon you, and your shoe did not wear out on your foot. You did not eat bread and wine and strong drink you did not drink ...              Deuteronomy 29:4-5

With the impending entry into the Land of Israel, the Israelites will experience a quantum change. Their lives will become “normal.” Like other nations, Israel will have to work hard to insure its national existence. No longer will the Hebrew be able to rely on manna from heaven. If the farmer does not work his field, there will be no food. In myriad ways, the existence of the Israelites will be permanently changed upon entry into the Land.

In renewing the covenant, Moses wishes to stress to his nation that they may not become simply another nation among the nations. Israel must always be aware that its existence must be based upon fusing the spiritual with the material. Whatever the Israelites build in their land, be it the physical infrastructure or developing their society, must be based upon Torah, the source of our spiritual values. Renewing the covenant is a reminder of the Israelite’s dependence upon God and his partnership with God.

The verses quoted from Parshat Ki Tavo conclude thus: “so you shall know that I, the Lord am your God.” The supernatural experience of the forty years in the desert more easily inclined the Israelites to awareness of divine providence on their behalf. In renewing the covenant, Moses challenged the Israelites to maintain that awareness even when the hand of God is less obvious.

It is the continued commitment to the covenant of Sinai which provides the strength, and ultimately the security of the Children of Israel.