By Zach Pekarsky

Dvarim. Words. Stories.

The parsha, and the book of Deuteronomy, begins:

These are the words which Moses spoke unto all of Israel beyond the Jordan [river].

Moses addresses the people of Israel as they stand on one side of Jordan river, about to finally enter the land. They pack up their camp, get ready to go, and Moses says, "wait, just one last thing!" He talks. And he talks. And he talks for the rest of the Torah -- every week until October.

Why does Moses have so much to say to Am Israel? What does he want to tell them? The answer to this question becomes clear when we consider who they are.

Except for Joshua and Caleb, this is a new generation that does not know slavery, did not cross the red sea, and was not at Sinai. And to these Jews, who have never known anything besides the desert, Moses summarizes the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim. Moses, before he passes away, ensures that Am Yisrael knows its history. He reminds us of our identity.

In this week's Haftarah, Isaiah also tells a story. He tells the people the story of a vision in which "your country is desolate; your cities burned with fire".

Isaiah's words do not point to identity. Isaiah tells a unflinching story of a spiritually and morally bankrupt nation. Isaiah offers a direct call to action. Israel depends on the return of justice to find redemption.

And these words of Moses and Isaiah that we read this week are also the bedrock of the education we provide chanichim. It is an education which cultivates a string identity and empowers them to stand up for justice.

And to all of you at machanot now, may the education you give be as grounding as Moses and as inspiring as Isaiah.