Normalizing Judgments

In Deuteronomy, monitored power is concerned about who becomes “Israel” only insofar as they are loyal and docile. Central to becoming all Israel, therefore, is depersonalization. Deuteronomy’s commands apply equally to everyone, independent of genealogy or other social characteristics, and are normative claims about “Israel,” not particular people or groups. Three experiences shape how people become Israel: attention, training, and deviation. Everyone in Israel must pay attention, observing not only themselves, but others. Attention is a constant and continual state of being for Israel, noticing and evaluating one another’s conduct for deviations from the commands. Israel must engage in training itself, repeating and practicing the conduct demanded by the book to improve the people’s performance. Attention and training help the people monitor themselves against deviation from the commands, but deviation is also an experience in becoming Israel. Deviation is something to which Israel as a collective is inclined, whether in the past, present, or future. Turning aside from the commands is a counter-conduct that Deuteronomy both acknowledges in Israel’s past and seeks to prevent in its future by warning it about the consequences.