You might be surprised. Forget the crown jewels and the royal chef. According to one fascinating interpretation in Sifrei Devarim 161, it's a scroll.

Specifically, a megillah, a scroll, and not just any scroll, but the mishneh Torah – essentially the Book of Deuteronomy. But wait, what's Hakhel got to do with it? Some say this entire verse alludes to the day of Hakhel (הקהל), a special gathering that occurred every seven years, as described in Deuteronomy 31:12. During Hakhel, the king would read from Deuteronomy. So, the verse isn't just about any old reading, but about the Hakhel reading itself.

And get this: it had to be on a scroll. No tablets, no paper, only a megillah. It’s a specific instruction about the form the text must take. Why? What's so important about the scroll itself? Perhaps it's a connection to tradition, a physical link to the words given at Sinai.

Then there's the setting. The reading takes place "before the Cohanim, the Levites" – the priests and Levites – and specifically "from the scroll in the azarah," the Temple court. It's a public declaration, a reminder to the people, and a powerful moment steeped in ritual and history.

But the king's relationship with the Torah doesn't end there. Deuteronomy 17:19 states, "And it shall be with him." This seemingly simple phrase sparks a whole host of interpretations. The Sifrei Devarim expands on this: "From here they ruled: When the king goes out to war, it is with him. When he presides in judgment, it is by him. When he sits down, it is beside him."

Think about that for a moment. The Torah isn't just a book the king reads occasionally. It's a constant companion, a guide in war, a source of wisdom in judgment, and a silent presence even in moments of rest. It’s with him always.

What does this tell us? Perhaps it’s a reminder that even those in positions of power are ultimately accountable to a higher authority, to a set of principles that transcend earthly rule. The scroll is a symbol of that accountability, a constant reminder of the responsibilities that come with leadership. And in a world that often seems to celebrate power for its own sake, that's a message worth remembering.