by Michael J. Broyde (Author), Reuven Travis (Author)

It is clear from the narrative of Deuteronomy that Moses understands governments topple during leadership transitions. As Moses ponders his pending demise, the question of who will next lead the people deeply worries him. He addresses this in his final speech, but his message seems to fall on deaf ears, for none of the people seemed to share his concern. This was a huge failing, and it remained a huge failing among the Jewish people for centuries to come. This is the most important takeaway lesson from Deuteronomy for contemporary Americans. History shows that governments fall and fail if the transition from leader to leader or from regime to regime is flawed. Given the controversies surrounding the transitions of political power between the parties over the past twenty-five years, Broyde and Travis firmly believe that America today has much to learn from Moses' successfully handing the reins of power to Joshua in Deuteronomy.