Why the Torah Moses Set Before Israel Was Not New

Midrash Aggadah, Deuteronomy 4:44

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And this is the Torah that Moses set" (Deuteronomy 4:44). It was not a new one, but rather those same statutes and testimonies and ordinances which he repeated to them and taught them, so that they would know it, to fulfill what is said: "and teach it to the Children of Israel, etc." (Deuteronomy 31:19).

Themes

MosesTorahTeachingLawTribes

Biblical References

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Antiquities of the Jews (Josephus)The Laws of Moses Before His DeathMoses spent his final days doing what he had done since Sinai: giving laws. But these were different. These were the laws of a man who knew he would never crossMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelWhy Did His Hands Grow Heavy During the Battle with Amalek(Exodus 17:12) records a detail that the Mekhilta found deeply instructive: "And the hands of Moses became heavy." Why did his hands grow heavy during the battlMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelIn the End, Moses Arose and Implored That He BeThe passage of the Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael turns to Moses near the close of his life, after the L-rd had decreed that he would not lead Israel across the JordMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelMoses Lord of the Universe, Since It Has Been Decreed UponMoses stood before God and made one final, desperate plea. The decree had been issued. Moses would not enter the Promised Land. But Moses, ever persistent in prMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelMoses Delivered This Instruction Three Days Before the Torah Was GivenThe Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael draws a legal ruling from God's command to the Israelites before the revelation at Sinai: "Do not draw near to a woman" (Exodus 19Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelConcerning This It Is Stated in the Tradition SongThis midrash from the Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael belongs to Tractate Bachodesh, the section that expounds the giving of the Torah at Sinai. The sages read a vers