Avouch – Affirmed or Chosen

Weekly Torah Lesson

Parasha: Ki Tavo – when you go in
Torah: Devarim 26:1 – 29:9

Devarim 26:16 This day Avinu Elohekah has commanded you to do these statutes and judgments: you shall therefore keep and do them with all your heart, and with all your soul. 17 You have avouched Avinu this day to be your El, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his mitzvot, and his testimonies, and to listen to his voice: 18 And Avinu has avouched you this day to be his peculiar people, as he has promised you, and that you should keep all his mitzvot; 19 And to make you high above all nations which he has made, in praise, and in name, and in honor; and that you may be an holy people to Avinu Elohekah, as he has spoken.

Avouched – Hebrew root – amr – affirmed – as in “you have affirmed your commitment to serve Him and He has affirmed His Commitment to be your El.

** The word also has the sense of “choosing”. Replacing the word “affirmed” with “chosen” seems to be an acceptable rendering.

A similar word in the Aramaic is used by couples when describing their commitment to each other. This word has nothing to do with any covenant. It simply helps couples to describe their deep feelings that each has for the other.

Israel expressed a similar thought when they said,

*** “And all the people answered together and said, “All that Avinu has spoken we will do.” And Moses returned the words of the people unto Avinu.” (Ex 19:8)

*** “14 And he said, Elohei avoteinu has chosen you, that you should know His will and see that Just One, and should hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you shall be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you hesitate? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name (authority) of Avinu.’” (Ac 22:14-16)

** Avinu has chosen us to be the bride of Meshiach. Consequently, we are to think, speak and act in a way that affirms our recognition of what being “chosen” requires.

** A deeper understanding of “avouch” shows the level of “endearment” between us and Avinu.