By Zach "Peacock" Pekarsky

As we read the final parsha of the Torah, we see Moses giving his iconic farewell address to the Israelites, sending them off into the land while before he withers atop mount Nevo (For a summary, try here. For an interesting commentary on this parsha about activism, check this out).

However, contrary to our common understandings, this image is not exclusive to this parsha, or even the final chapters of Sefer Dvarim (Deuteronomy). In fact, this is the essence of this final book of the Torah; it is one 37-chapter speech from Moses in which he recounts the journey they've taken (starting with the covenant at Sinai).

Most interestingly, in the narrative Moses weaves, basic facts change (Sinai becomes Horeb, the 10 commandments are different, etc...). And somehow, the importance of the scene does not depend on the precise accuracy of the story; for better or worse, Moses' speech shapes the Israelites' perspective on their history. Not only that, this myth (whether true or not) shapes their very identity as well.

Similarly, it is the stories we tell, to both our chanichim and each other, that define our own communal identities. The myths (again, true or not) that comprise our history shape how we identify today.

Similarly, the stories we tell our chanichim today, will define our movements' identities for years to come. It is incumbent upon us to retell the stories of the past, not as they have been told to us, but as we think they should be understood by future generations.

P.S. Many thanks to Lermie and her tochnit chinuch for inspiring my thoughts.