The Sedra Veetchanan 5783

This week we find ourselves in Parshat Va’etchanan. The Rambam teaches us a fundamental truth about human nature: we are inevitably influenced by those around us, our friends, and our local norms. This principle applies not just to individuals, but to our entire nation. In this week’s portion, we are strictly warned to watch ourselves scrupulously so that we do not forget the revelation at Sinai. The Sforno explains that this is a warning against being swayed by foreign philosophies that could lead us away from God. Our success in the land of Israel is entirely dependent on our allegiance to the mitzvot and our ability to resist the corrosive element of foreign cultures. We must constantly remind ourselves and our children of the truth we saw with our own eyes to ensure that our unique Torah values remain at the center of our lives. Shabbat Shalom.