Page 85 - HTUNA

the pasuk, “You shall reprove your fellow.” And the other is the reproof
of the day of death. Remembering that one will die will bring him to
thoughts of teshuvah. Moshe employed this method of reproof by
admonishing the nation close to his death.
Why did Moshe first chastise the people, and only afterward repeat the
mitzvot that he had taught them? This might have shamed and confused
the nation, especially in light of the fact that they had not been the ones
who had sinned. Furthermore, why aren’t Creation and the redemption
from Egypt mentioned at the beginning of Chumash Devarim? These are
the foundations of our nation!

Moshe’s rebuke taught the nation that in order for the Torah to reside
within a person, he must first make himself into a worthy vessel. Through
words of admonishment, Am Yisrael would awaken to do teshuvah,
atoning for their fathers’ sins.

There was no need to begin with the account of Creation, for it was
accepted unequivocally by the people. It did not need repetition. Moshe
likewise saw no reason to repeat the account of Yetziat Mitzrayim,for a
main aspect of the Exodus was offering the korban Pesach. Since they did
not perform circumcision in the Wilderness, they were not permitted to
bring this korban during the years they sojourned there. There was
therefore no reason to mention the Exodus at this point.