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Nitzavim/Vayelech -
Seventh Aliyah |
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G-d foretells that after entering the Land of Israel and prospering, the Jewish people will abandon G-d. The punishments that they will suffer as a result are already recorded in the poem that outlines the destiny of the Jewish people (Haazinu 32). Moses relays this warning to the Jews. G-d then charges Joshua to be strong and bold in his leadership for He will be with him in this mission. At this point, Moses completes the writing of the Torah scroll.
Vayelech ends on an ominous note of warning. The members of the tribe of Levi (the bearers of the Holy Ark) are given the
Torah scroll with instructions to place it at the side of the Holy Ark, where it is to remain as "witness" to G-d's warnings regarding the consequences of abandoning the Covenant. Moses shows great concern about what they will do after his death. He then gathers all the leaders and repeats the words of the poem.
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| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. What two modes of transmission of Torah do we find in 31:22? Compare with Exodus 17:14.
2. The phrase "I will be with you" (31:23) is the recurring description of G-d's role in the Exxodss from Egypt (Exodus 3 and 4). What is the conceptual relationship between the Exodus and the conquest of the Land of Israel?
3. Consider verses 28 and 30. How do you understand the gathering of the people and the leaders respectively? What responsibilities did
Moses wish to convey to each?
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"And the people served G-d all the days of Joshua and the
days of the elders that lived beyond the time of Joshua, who saw all the great works of G-d that He performed for his people Israel. And Joshua the servant of G-d died at the age of one hundred and ten years. And that entire generation died and another generation arose that did not know G-d and that which he had done for Israel, and the
Jewish people did that which was evil in G-d's eyes and they abandoned G-d."
Judges 2:7-12
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Moses has had extensive experience with the contrariness and failures of the Jewish people during his lifetime and expects
them to abandon G-d after his death. Given all of this, why was
he willing to offer his life for them after the sin of the golden
calf, and to devote his entire life to leading them? How can he still have such great love for the Jewish people?
What can we learn about our interactions with other Jews who are less than perfect?
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