Some of the most profound aspects of the Jewish faith are contained in the Book of Devarim, the fifth book of the Torah. It is a record of a series of speeches and addresses given by Moses in anticipation of his looming death, and before the Jewish people initiated the conquest of the Promised Land.

The pinnacle of this book is undoubtedly the second parsha, Va’etchanan, which contains the Ten Commandments, the Shema, and the instruction to love God. In which case, why did Moses introduce the book with the portion of Devarim, a record of all the misdeeds of the nation over their 40-year sojourn in the wilderness? Rabbi Dunner explains, with the help of a magnificent Nesivos Sholom.