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Deuteronomy 4:9

 

דברים ד:ט

Original Text:

רַק הִשָּׁמֶר לְךָ וּשְׁמֹר נַפְשְׁךָ מְאֹד פֶּן תִּשְׁכַּח אֶת הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר רָאוּ עֵינֶיךָ וּפֶן יָסוּרוּ מִלְּבָבְךָ כֹּל יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָ וְהוֹדַעְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ וְלִבְנֵי בָנֶיךָ:

Translation:

But take utmost care and watch yourselves scrupulously, so that you do not forget the things that you saw with your own eyes and so that they do not fade from your mind as long as you live. And make them known to your children and to your children's children.
[JPS translation]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

1. God is commanding the Israelites not to forget their encounter with God and receiving the Ten Commandments. Why is this important?
2. What does this text teach us about the value of understanding one's own narrative?
3. How does maintaining a communal identity affect our social justice work?

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    Related Texts:
    Deuteronomy 4:9
    Related Sourcesheets:Bearing Witness, Helping Each Other, Helping All , Texts on Social Change v. Social Action, Koach Lunch and Learn: Communal Responsibility 9/12/2009, Concentric Circles of Tzedekah, Pikuach Nefesh: Saving a Life- Discussion Questions, An Introduction to Social Action and Jewish Responsibility, What are our obligations to help another person? , For the Education Committee, Torah Today

    Submitted By

    Sarah Margles

    Comments on this Text

    • By alice at 07/29/2009 - 11:21