Vayelech

📜 The Story

'Vayelech' means 'and he went.' Moses, now 120 years old, goes to speak to all the Jewish people on the last day of his life. He tells them gently that God said he will not cross the Jordan River into the Land of Israel. Joshua will lead them instead. Moses reminds everyone that God Himself will go ahead of them and fight for them, just as He did in Egypt and in the desert.

Moses calls Joshua in front of everyone and tells him, 'Chazak v'ematz,' 'Be strong and brave,' because he will bring the people into the land God promised. Moses tells Joshua that God will not leave him, so he does not need to be afraid.

Moses writes the whole Torah with his own hand. He gives the finished Torah scroll to the Kohanim (the priests), from the tribe of Levi, who carry the Ark of the Covenant. He tells them to put it next to the Ark, so it will always be there to guide the Jewish people.

The parsha also teaches the mitzvah (commandment) of Hakhel, 'gathering.' Once every seven years, on Sukkot right after the Shmita year, all of Israel, men, women and children, gather together. The king reads parts of the Torah out loud, so everyone can hear it and learn to love God and stand in awe of Him.

Last, God tells Moses and Joshua to write down a special song and teach it to the people. It will be remembered from generation to generation, as a reminder of God's love, even in hard times.