Vayelech
Deuteronomy 31:1 – 31:30
At the age of 120, Moses tells the people that he can no longer go out and come in, and that Joshua will lead them across the Jordan. He writes the Torah and entrusts it to the priests and elders, commanding that it be read publicly every seven years during Sukkot of the sabbatical year — the ceremony of Hakhel (Assembly). God summons Moses and Joshua to the Tent of Meeting and reveals that Israel will inevitably stray after Moses's death. God instructs Moses to write a song (Ha'azinu) as a witness against the people. The Torah scroll is placed beside the Ark of the Covenant.
Key figures
- Moses — Writes the Torah, transfers leadership to Joshua, receives the Song
- Joshua — Commissioned publicly before all Israel — 'Be strong and courageous'
- God — Foretells Israel's future apostasy and commands the writing of the Song
Famous verses
- 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be affrighted at them; for Hashem your God, He it is that does go with you; He will not fail you, nor forsake you."
- 31:8 And Hashem, He it is that does go before you; He will be with you, He will not fail you, neither forsake you; fear not, neither be dismayed."
- 31:19 Now therefore write this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel.
Haftarah: {'ref': 'Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27', 'connection': "Read on Shabbat Shuvah (the Sabbath of Return between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), the prophets call Israel to repentance, echoing Vayelech's theme of return to God even after inevitable failure."}
Total gematria: 147,036.