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In Discussion, Volume 5 – Sefer Devarim – By Pinchas Winston
THIS IS THE fifth and final book in the series of “In Discussion” commentaries on the weekly parsha. It has been a tremendous merit and pleasure to have been involved in such a project, especially since when I wrote the first one I really doubted that I would do a second one, let alone a fifth. It is hard to believe that all five are now complete, thank God.
Writing a straightforward commentary on the Torah would have been easier, inasmuch as you don’t have to worry about recurring themes. Every parsha is different, as are most commentaries on the parsha. This alone guarantees differences from one parsha to the next, from one sefer to the next, and this certainly keeps a reader’s interest.
Using stories and dialogues as a way to communicate parsha messages means having to come up with a different angle 54 times. Obviously there are some similarities, but I tried hard to make each parsha differ from the others, not just within one sefer, but from one sefer to the next as well.
Each In Discussion chapter had its main point derived from the parsha itself. But many other points were also made through the dialogue, and this became a great way to bring other ideas into the picture that otherwise might not have been considered connected to the main theme. Even just the personalities of the characters could be used as means to teach Torah hashkofah—philosophy.
It is important to add that there is one downside to this approach to a Torah commentary. Torah is the word of God. There is nothing more awesome and holy, and Kabbalistically, no better channel for Divine light into this world. If we truly appreciated what it was, we wouldn’t take it as lightly as we tend to do.
Dialoguing a Torah commentary can seem very casual. That was certainly not my intention. On the contrary, my goal has been to make the ideas or Torah personalities come alive, and increase a person’s awe of their genius and relevance. If that doesn’t happen, the mistake is obviously on my part.
And just one more note. Part of the pleasure AND challenge of writing Torah books of this nature is being deep and at the same time very accessible. When it comes to Torah, not every “simple” idea is actually simple. There is usually something profoundly kabbalistic clothed in everyday language. It is worthwhile keeping this in mind when learning “In Discussion” books. Most of the ideas are really worthy of follow up and deeper investigation.
I would like to thank all those who have read my material and provided valuable feedback. Good editing is crucial for good writing, and sometimes, even more important. I, and my readers, appreciate your efforts.
Of course such a momentous occasion would not be possible without the Source of ALL ideas, and ALL abilities, HaKadosh Boruch Hu—God Himself. To paraphrase the great Rebi Akiva, “Mine and yours are His.” It ALL comes from Him, and we’re just fortunate if He lets us be the “shaliach” for His will.
And to quote the great Tanna, Yonason ben Uzziel, “I have not done this for my own honor, or for the honor of my father’s house, but for YOUR honor…” I only hope it is true, that somehow this series of books will bring honor to God and His Torah, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to try.
Pinchas Winston
