Even though Vayelech is the shortest Parshah in the Torah, it has much to discuss and be puzzled within it. Indeed, the whole last section of the Parshah raises interesting questions. After Moses has almost completed writing the Torah and commanded Joshua as to his task, G-d tells Moses to write a song. This is next week Parshah: Ha’azinu. G-d informs Moses that after his death the people will stray from G-d and terrible calamities will befall them. This song will then be a witness against them. Moses then repeats this message to the people before writing down the song contained in the next Parshah. How are we to understand this command? What is the purpose of telling people in advance that they are going to fail and then having on hand evidence against them as if to say: ‘I told you so’? Even if Moses needed to know, why tell the people? I think that the answers to these questions contain important insights into the process of Teshuvah, repentance, that we are meant to be currently engaged in. The people are informed that they are likely to fail. Moses expresses his certainty that after his death they will go astray. This indeed can be disheartening. But it can also be seen as a challenge. The Jewish people now have to show their great leader he was wrong and that they can remain loyal to G-d. Indeed, even though Moses stated they would sin ‘after his death’, the Bible tells us that they remained loyal to G-d not only in the time of his successor but also in the time of ‘the elders that lengthened their days after Joshua’. The possibility of failure is not always an impediment to change. It can also be a spur. And temporary success can also be valuable. Yet there is an even deeper message contained in this section. The song is written not for that generation or even for the generation of the destruction, but for those that come after. G-d is playing a long game. He knows, and indeed states, that this generation or their immediate descendants is not up to the task. Yet Moses is to write his song for their descendants, the ones who will read it and because of it make a revolution in Jewish life, returning to G-d and His Torah. This is indeed what happened in the time of Ezra. Seven hundred years after Moses, his words had the desired effect. This teaches us, also, to be patient. Even if we may not see an immediate effect in our or others lives, by seeking to return to G-d during this period we may cause ripples of change whose reach we cannot even imagine.
ALIYAH BY ALIYAH SYNOPSIS
Rishon Moses informs the people of his impending death.
Sheni G-d will help them conquer the Land.
Shelishi Moses encourages Joshua in his task.
Revi’i The Torah is completed and handed over to the Levites. A public reading is ordained every 7 years.
Chamishi G-d tells Moses the people will in future rebel so he should warn them of the consequences now.
Shishi Moses song will serve as a witness against the rebellious people.
Shevi’i The Torah is put at the side of the Ark.
Haftorah Hosea: 14; 2-10, Micah: 7;18-20, Joel: 2;15-27: Israel should return to G-d who will redeem them.
Sidra Statistics
Parshat Vayelech
· has 30 verses;
· is the 9th in Deuteronomy, 52nd in the Torah
· shortest in Deuteronomy, shortest in the Torah
· has 2 pos mitzvot.
PAST PARSHAH PUZZLE
Aliyah to Israel from New Zealand.
‘If you will be scattered to the ends of the earth…from there G-d will bring you’.
PARSHAH PUZZLE
Festive book festival.
WEEKLY HALAKHA
It is a mitzvah for every Jew to write or help write a Sefer Torah.
