These are the words which Moshe spoke

(Deuteronomy 1:1)
Av 8, 5775/July 24, 2015

Our sages have long interpreted the opening words of the book of Deuteronomy to be words of reproval spoken by Moshe and directed at the children of Israel. The book of Deuteronomy brings to us for the first time the direct thoughts and observations, regrets and ambitions for his people, of Israel's greatest prophet - Moshe. Until now, Moshe has been a transmitter of G-d's will to Israel. He has faithfully delivered G-d's Torah from heaven to be fulfilled by Israel, here on earth, here in the land of Israel. But now the book of Deuteronomy, (Devarim, in Hebrew, meaning "words," as in "the words of Moshe"), opens up to us a window into the soul of Moshe, an invaluable opportunity for introspection and inspiration before entering the land of Israel and the world of Torah, not just for the generation of the conquest and settlement of the land, but for all generations, and most importantly, for our generation.

Moshe begins his words soon after G-d reveals to him his immanent death and directs Moshe to ascend Mount Abarim, (at the conclusion of the book of Numbers), from where he can see the entire land of Israel, the land that he will never enter. Again, our sages teach us that Moshe's G-d granted glimpse into the land of Israel was not just a panoramic snapshot, but a prophetic vision in which Moshe was able to see the land of Israel and the nation of Israel inside the land, until the end of time.

And this leads us back to Moshe's measured words of rebuke spoken in the opening verses of 

Deuteronomy, and why this week's reading of Devarim always takes place, year after year, on the Shabbat that precedes the fast of the 9th of Av, the anniversary of the destruction of the two Holy Temples. Moshe castigates his people for misdeeds done in the desert, (as recorded throughout Torah), admittedly a well-deserved admonishment, if his audience had been that same generation of the waters of Mara, or the sin of the spies. But that generation has passed. The generation that stands before Moshe are guiltless of those crimes. So why the reprimand?

"These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel." (Deut. 1:1) "All Israel" - to this day! Moshe is first and foremost delivering his reproach to our generation! His words demand of us somber introspection. Where have we pulled up short? After two thousand years we - Israel - have returned to the land of Israel; we are sovereigns in the land; we have an army to defend G-d's land and His people; we observe the holy Shabbat; we circumcise our sons and redeem our first-borns. We are dedicated and determined to adhere to G-d's Torah with all our hearts and souls. What don't we do?

Moshe faithfully delivered to Israel the six hundred and thirteen commandments contained in G-d's Torah. More than two hundred of these commandments are concerned with the Holy Temple and the Divine service conducted by the kohanim in the Holy Temple. Fully one third of G-d's Torah remains unfulfilled because our generation has not rebuilt the Holy Temple that was destroyed 1945 years ago. We have not re-established the dailyTamid offerings, or the festive offerings or the service of the first of the seventh month (Rosh HaShana) or the tenth of the seventh, (Yom Kippur). For all our accomplishments, worthy of great praise, as they are, our generation has yet to deliver on the re-institution of a full third of the Torah, nothing less than the central catalyst of humanity's transformation for good, long ago described by Israel's prophets.

Long departed from this world, Moshe continues to cry out his concern for his children. His reproach is delivered with love: love for his people Israel, love for the land of Israel he so much wanted to enter, love for the Holy Temple whose laws and purposes he faithfully and flawlessly transmitted, and, ultimately, love for all humanity, whose uplifting and perfection with be served by the Holy Temple. Moshe is long gone from this world. But he will not rest. He will not cease his reproval or his reprimand until the Holy Temple is built. It is not enough to make this Tisha b'Av the last Tisha b'Av to be spent mourning for the loss of the Holy Temple. We must declare that last year's Tisha b'Av was the final Tisha b'Av to be spent in mourning: This year we truly hear Moshe's words of rebuke. This year we build the Holy Temple!

-The Temple Institute