Devarim (parashah)

Devarim is the name of the forty-fourth weekly Torah portion (parashah) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. It is the first parashah in the Book of Deuteronomy (also known as Devarim in Hebrew). The parashah recounts Moses's lengthy address to the Israelites as they are encamped in the plains of Moab, shortly before they are to enter the Promised Land.

The parashah primarily consists of Moses's retrospective account of the Israelites' journey from Mount Sinai to the border of Canaan. He recounts their rebellions, his appointment of judges, and the sending of the spies, reminding them of God's faithfulness and their own shortcomings. Moses emphasizes the importance of remembering God's commandments and learning from the past.

Devarim includes key themes such as memory, leadership, obedience, and the relationship between God and the Israelites. It serves as a prologue to the rest of Deuteronomy, which lays out the laws and stipulations of the covenant that the Israelites are expected to uphold in the land of Israel. The parashah also includes a warning not to forget the lessons of the past and to remain faithful to God's covenant.