BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Toward the conclusion of the book of Deuteronomy we see the first uses of the term Sefer HaTorah, "Scroll of the Torah/Teaching." Has Torah now become a "book"? We even learn about Moses giving this Scroll to the cohanim for placement at the side of the Ark, and how it should be read to the people in the future. We are also told that Joshua carried it with him when the Israelites entered
the promised land.
The passage from Deut 30 is part of a prediction and a warning which Moses makes toward the end of the Torah that the Israelite nation will go astray, act sinfully, and be punished. However, Moses also foresees that they will sincerely return to God and have all good things restored to them by following "this Scroll of the Teaching." See below for questions related to that text (and the others).
(8) But you will return and listen to the voice of Adonai and do all of his commandments that I am charging you with today. (9) And Adonai your God will make you prosper in all the work of your hands, in the produce of your loins, in the produce of your cattle, and in the produce of your soil--for good. For Adonai will return to take delight in your good, just as he delighted in your ancestors. (10) For you will listen to the voice of Adonai your God to keep his commandments and his regulations that are written in this Scroll of the Teaching--when you return to Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
(9) Moses wrote down this Teaching and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carry the Ark of Adonai's covenant, and to all the elders of Israel. (10) And Moses commanded them, saying, "Every seventh year--at the time of the year of release, during the Festival of Sukkot, (11) when all Israel comes to appear before Adonai your God in the place that he will choose--you shall read this Teaching aloud in the presence of all Israel. (12) Gather the people—men, women, children, and the strangers in your towns—so that they may hear it and so that they may learn to revere Adonai your God, and make sure to do all the words of this Teaching."
(24) When Moses finished writing down on a scroll the words of this Teaching in their entirety, (25) Moses commanded the Levites who carry the Ark of Adonai's Covenant, saying, (26) "Take this Scroll of the Teaching and place it beside the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai your God, and it shall remain there as a witness against you.
(6) “Be strong and brave, for you [Joshua] shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to give to their ancestors. (7) Just be very strong and brave to make sure to follow all the Teaching that my servant Moses commanded you--do not stray from it to the right or the left, so that you may thrive wherever you go. (8) Do not let this Scroll of the Teaching leave your lips, rather, reflect on it day and night, so that you make sure to follow all that is written in it. For then will you be successful on your path, and then will you thrive.
Study Questions on Deut 30, 31, and Josh 1
1. Originally, how often were we supposed to do a public Torah reading? What was the purpose of the reading?
2. How often was Joshua supposed to read the Torah? Why was it so much more?
3. The Scroll was placed "beside the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai your God." Look at Deuteronomy 10:2 and comment on why this placement was significant.
4. It still seems difficult to say exactly what was in this sacred Scroll. Based on what we have seen in the first five source sheets of this unit, what do you believe was in it? Here are a few possibilities, and there may be others:
- The entire Five Books of Moses, Genesis through Deuteronomy
- A collection of all the laws Moses received from God
- The laws, plus explanations by Moses of their meaning
- Laws, stories, and other teachings, but not in the form of the Torah we now have
- The book of Deuteronomy specifically
State your opinion and elaborate on why you think it's true. When doing this, be sure to reflect back (and actually look back) on the issues we've discussed since we started this unit. Use evidence from the passages we've covered to support your argument.