Devarim, D’varim, or Debarim (דברים — Hebrew for “words,” the second word, and the first distinctive word, in the parshah) is the 44th weekly Torah portion (parshah) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the first in the book of Deuteronomy. It constitutes Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22. Jews in the Diaspora generally read it in July or August. It is always read on Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath immediately before Tisha B’Av.

Devarim (דברים) is both the title for the last book from the scroll of the Torah and the title of the first Torah portion therein. This parsha begins the book of Devarim, the fifth, and final, book of the Torah. However, even though it’s a review, more than 70 new mitzvahs are taught here. The Hebrew title for the book comes from the opening phrase of the book: “These are the words (devarim) which Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan in the wilderness” (Deuteronomy 1:1). One ancient name for the book of Deuteronomy is Mishnah HaTorah (משנה תורה), which means “repetition of the Torah.” This is similar to the Greek Septuagint name Deuteronomos, which means “second law.” The English name Deuteronomy is derived from Deuteronomos.

The book of Deuteronomy is dominated by Moses’ farewell address to the children of Israel as he urges them to remain faithful to the covenant and prepares them for entering Canaan. During the course of the book, Moses reviews the story of the giving of the Torah at Sinai and the trip to the Promised Land, reiterates several laws of Torah and introduces new laws. The book seems to follow the general pattern of an ancient Near Eastern covenant treaty document. As we study the first week’s reading from the book of Exodus, the children of Israel are assembled on the plains of Moab across the Jordan from Jericho.

1st and 2nd Aliyot: Moshe recounts the history of the 40 years from after the 2nd Luchot (Tablets), until the request by the people to send the Spies. (pasuk / verse 12 is read to the tune of Eicha – Lamentations) He notes the establishment of the Sanhedrin and the Judicial system.

3rd and 4th Aliyot: The incident of the Meraglim – Spies and its terrible punishment is related. Remember, the sin of the Spies and the decree for that generation to die out in the desert occurred today, on Tisha B’Av 2449, 3266 years ago.

5th and 6th Aliyot: Moshe jumps 38 years during which the decree of the 40 years was carried out and focuses on Israel’s encounter with the nations of: Esav, Moav, and Ammon. The battles with Sichon and Og and the acquisition of Trans-Jordan are retold.

7th Aliya: Trans-Jordan is given to the 2 1/2 tribes, and Yehoshua bin Nun is encouraged to view these victories as a promise of future success in taking Land.

Maimonides cited verses in the parshah for three negative commandments: That the judge not be afraid of a bad person when judging (Deuteronomy 1:17.) Not to appoint as judge one who is not learned in the laws of the Torah, even if the person is learned in other disciplines (Deuteronomy 1:17.) That warriors shall not fear their enemies nor be frightened of them in battle (Deuteronomy 3:22.)