Torah Notes

September 04 - Nitzavim-Vayeilech: Deuteronomy 29:9 - 63:9
This week we have the final double portion of this cycle of Torah readings. These two short (one chapter each) portions are usually (but not always) combined. At the beginning of Parashat Nitzavim, Moses gathers the entire Israelite people together and gives them a stern warning to uphold God's covenant. Terrible things (and by now they know what that means) await the person who does not observe the commandments. But God will take back in great mercy anyone who sincerely repents. The parasha ends with a nechemta - words of encouragement. Moses tells the people that upholding the Torah is not too difficult or too strange, but entirely within their capabilities. The people are encouraged to 'choose life' by following God's path.
Parasha Va-Yelech tells us sadly of Moses' final hours. Knowing that his time is up, he passes the mantle of leadership to Joshua, in front of all the people, with words of encouragement. He then completes the writing of the Torah and gives the book to the Levites to place in the Ark and to safeguard. The Presence of God appears to Moses, predicting Israel's faithlessness, but promising to bring them to the Land. As per God's instructions, Moses then gathers the people together one last time to hear his song.

September 11 - Ha'Azinu: Deuteronomy 32:1 - 32:52
Parashat Ha-Azinu is the last parasha in the annual cycle of Torah readings read as part of the weekly Shabbat portions. (The final parasha, Zot Ha-Bracha, is only read on Simchat Torah.) Ha-Azinu contains Moses' final words to the Israelites - delivered as a powerful poem or song recalling the people's sacred history since the Exodus from Egypt, and warning the Israelites in the strongest terms not to stray from the path that God has commanded. This is one of only two songs in the Torah attributed to Moses, the other being the Song at the Sea in Parashat Be-Shalach. At the end of the parasha, God tells Moses to ascend to the top of Mount Nebo, where he will die. But while God allows Moses to see throughout the Land of Israel from the top of the mountain, it is reiterated that Moses will not be able to enter the Land since he 'broke faith with Me.'

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This page was last updated on August 24, 2010