Va’etchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11)
This week’s Torah portion covers Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11. It is called Va’etchanan, which translates to “I pleaded,” because it begins with Moses pleading with God for permission to cross the Jordan River. Deuteronomy 3:22–25 records Moses saying: At that time, I pleaded with the Lord: “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand.…