The second portion of Deuteronomy, Va-et’chanan, is an unusual Torah portion in many respects. Not only does it contain both the Ten Commandments and Sh’ma passages, let alone a number of other elements that have entered into our liturgy, but it is also read after Tishah B’Av (the ninth day of Av), launching the seven Shabbatot of consolation leading up to Rosh HaShanah. As it is recited, Jews throughout the world evoke the Revelation at Sinai and reassert the continuity of the covenant following their commemoration of the destruction of the Temple and the loss of Jewish sovereignty in Palestine nearly two thousand years ago.
Dr. Jonathan Cohen, HUC-JIR
(2) Adonai our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. (3) It was not with our ancestors that Adonai made this covenant, but with us, the living, every one of us who is here today.
(1) NOT WITH OUR ANCESTORS — That is, not only with our ancestors, but also with us.
(4) Hear, O Israel! Adonai is our God, Adonai alone. (5) You shall love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (6) Take to heart these instructions with which I charge you this day. (7) Impress them upon your children. Recite them when you stay at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up. (8) Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as a symbol on your forehead; (9) inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
(2) THESE INSTRUCTIONS WITH WHICH I CHARGE YOU THIS DAY — this day— they should not be seen as an obsolete decree which no one minds, but as one newly given which everyone gladly welcomes.
Every generation must think that the Torah was given directly to them.
On your heart...Namely that these should rule your heart, that you control your heart, and not have your heart control you.
R. Menahem Mendl Alter of Kalish
Said R. Levi: HaKBaH appeared to them like a picture which is visible from all angles. A thousand people may gaze on it and it gazes on all of them. So is HaKBaH. When God spoke, every individual Israelite maintained: To me the word spake! "I am Adonai your (plural) God" is not written here, but "I am Adonai your (singular) God."
Said R. Yose: In accordance with each and everyone's personal cpacties did the word speak to him. Do not be astonished at the manna which came down on the Israelites - each one tasting the flavor he was capable of appreciating - the infants in accordance with their capacities...the young men in accordance with theirs...and the old men in accordance with theirs. If that was so in the case of the manna, that everyone tasted the flavor they could appreciate, the word (the sacred word of Divine revelation), all the more so!
Said David (Psalm 29:3): "The voice of Adonai is in strength." It does not say "in his strength" but just "strength" - in accordance with the strength or (capacities) of each man.
Yalkut Shimoni: Yitro 286