Until the Lord gives your brothers rest, as He has given you – Parashat Devarim
"Until the Lord gives your brothers rest, as He has given you, and they too take possession of the land… then each of you may return to the inheritance that I have given you." (Deuteronomy 3:20)
The portion of Devarim is always read close to Tisha B'Av. From ancient times until today, this period has been one of national reflection and soul-searching.
In this week's portion, Moses, nearing the end of his life, reviews Israel's journey through the wilderness and recalls the nation's past mistakes. His purpose is not to evoke guilt over what has already happened, but to prepare the people for the future: to trust in God, heed His voice, and enter the Land with confidence. Alongside his rebuke, Moses also emphasizes God's kindness and the victories granted to Israel as preparation for entering the Promised Land.
Yet Moses does not merely recount the past. He seeks to chart a course for the future and to equip the people with principles for a life of national responsibility. Toward the end of the portion, he highlights the mutual responsibility of the tribes. He reminds the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who had already received their inheritance east of the Jordan, that rights do not stand on their own. "Until the Lord gives your brothers rest, as He has given you". Only when your brothers, too, have attained security, peace, and their inheritance may each of you return home. Collective responsibility comes before personal concern.
This principle has accompanied the Jewish people throughout the generations. Mutual responsibility for every Jew and every Israeli reflects the understanding that our destinies are intertwined, that the security, freedom, and prosperity of each of us depend upon the well-being of others.
We have witnessed this spirit in our own time. Since the outbreak of the war, countless people have answered the call: reserve soldiers who left behind their families and livelihoods, healthcare professionals, volunteers, educators, and civilians who traveled to the south, the north, and wherever they were needed. Through their actions, they embodied Moses' teaching: first care for your brothers and sisters; only afterward return to your own inheritance.
Alongside these inspiring expressions of solidarity, however, it is impossible to ignore the public tension surrounding the question of sharing the burden, particularly the legislative initiatives and proposed laws that seek to expand or formally enshrine exemptions from military service for yeshiva students. At precisely the time when Israeli society is called upon to demonstrate shared responsibility, mutual obligation, and an equitable sharing of the national burden, some are concerned primarily with their own community while leaving others to bear the load. This public debate illustrates that the question of mutual responsibility is not merely a biblical ideal but a living and urgent issue today.
The portion of Devarim invites us to choose a different path. It challenges us to see one another and to recognize that our national home is built through shared responsibility. A society is measured not only by its military strength or economic achievements, but also by the willingness of its members to carry one another's burdens.
Perhaps this is the enduring lesson of the Book of Deuteronomy and of these days: the right to a home of our own is always inseparable from our obligation to the home we share. When each person is concerned only with his or her own inheritance, society as a whole is weakened. But when we fulfill the command, "Until the Lord gives your brothers rest, as He has given you," we build not only security, but also trust, solidarity, and a shared future. That has always been the source of the Jewish people's strength.
Written by Rakefet Sholder, Director of External Relations at BINA.
