Torah This Week
Welcome to Torah This Week, where you will find thoughts and reflections by CLAL
faculty and associates on the Torah portion of the week.
VAYELECH
(Deuteronomy 31:1 - 30)
In this parsha, Moses announces to the people his impending death and confirms that
Joshua will lead the people across the Jordan to conquer the land that God is giving them.
He then tells them that once every seven years, on the festival of Sukkot, they shall
gather together and "read this teaching aloud in the presence of all Israel"
(Deut. 3 1:11). Why is this instruction included here, rather than with other laws
relating to the festivals or the conduct of life in the land?
The Israelites are about to lose the only leader they have ever known. Moses offers
them Joshua, his God-approved successor. He reminds them that they will have leadership
beyond that of Joshua. "The Lord God marches with you...the Lord...will not fail you
or forsake you" (31:6ff.). Still, Moses senses that the Israelites are afraid; life
without Moses is difficult to face. So he reminds them that, in addition to God and human
leadership, they have two sources of strength, Torah and community. These sources of
strength are, unlike any human leader, perpetual and, unlike God, are perceived as being
highly accessible.
There are times when a community is uncertain that its human leadership can meet its
needs. While God is described as the leader of the Jewish people, there may be moments
when we feel distant from God. At these times, we may find our greatest strength lies in
our ties to each other. A ceremony like the one mandated in this parsha reinforces the
sense of unity the community needs. A large gathering of Jews often raises the spirits of
the individuals involved and gives them a renewed sense of purpose. The public reading of
the Torah reminds the Israelites of the goals that they are committed to as a community,
reintroducing the blueprint for repairing the world to those who are mandated to carry it
out.
(Devorah Weisberg)
To join the conversation at CLAL Torah Talk, click here.
To access a CLAL commentary on this week's Haftorah, click here.
To access the Torah This Week Archive, click here.
To access the Haftorah This Week Archive, click here.
To receive the CLAL Torah Talk column by email on a regular basis, complete the box
below: