Overview
of the Torah Reading
To be
read on Shabbat Vayelech - 5 Tishrei 5768/ Sept.27,
2025
Shabbat
Shuva
Torah:
Deut. 31:1-31:30
Haftorah: Hosea 14:2-10, Joel 2:15-27 (for "Return, O
Israel")
Vayelech is the 9th Reading out of 11 in Deut.
and 52nd overall, and 53rd out of 54 in
overall length.
Vayelech (Deut. 31:1-30) opens with Moshe telling the
Jews that he has reached the age of 120 and will not be entering the
Land of Israel with them. He summons Joshua in front of the Jewish
people, telling them that he will lead them into the land, and that
they should be strong and brave. Moshe tells them about Hakhel,
that at every seven years, during the festival of Sukkot, they should
gather the men, women and children together, and read the specified
portions from the Torah. Moshe wrote 13 Torah scrolls, one for each
of the tribes, and one for the Ark.
An
essay from
Rabbi Shaul Yosef Leiter, director of Ascent
(for a
free weekly email subscription, click
here)
This week's parsha is called Vayelech, which means 'he walked'
or 'he went'. It begins with the verse "And Moshe went and spoke
these things to all of Israel" (Devarim 31/1). On the phrase, "And
Moshe went", the Ibn Ezra explains that Moshe went from tribe to
tribe informing them of his impending passing, but that this should
not be a source of fear because "The L-rd your G-d is going with
you (31/6). Yesod Ha'avodah says that Moshe 'went' into the hearts of
the Jews; that each and every Jew from then on has a spark of Moshe
in his heart. Ilna Dechaya explains that Moshe 'went' to illuminate
in every generation.
The Ba'al Toldos brings that Moshe is characterized as being zealous
and quick to do G-d's will. The phrase here emphasizes Moshe's continued
holy haste even in his last hour. The Noam Megidim explains that a person
may rise in levels of spirituality only if his or her actions are selflessly
directed at benefiting all of the Jewish people. This verse demonstrates
how Moshe 'went'-spiritual elevation-due to his selfless behavior for
the sake of 'all of Israel.' We have much to learn from Moshe.
This Shabbat
is also known as Shabbat Shuva-Shabbat of Return. This connects to the
parsha "Vayelech" which denotes walking. What is the connection?
The Arizal explains that each of the seven days between Rosh Hashanah
and Yom Kippur correspond to each of the seven weekdays of the previous
year which require tshuva, and to each of the seven weekdays
of the new year which through our efforts and prayers should be blessed.
Therefore, the Shabbat that falls within this week is a crucial one
regarding two years of our life. If we make this Shabbat special it
will affect all of the future Shabbats throughout the entire year.
The 'walking' of Vayelech is seen in that Shabbat escorts-walks-the
rest of the days of the following week from one spiritual rung to another
higher one as we are constantly working to rise in holiness. Each individual
Shabbat is the day which blesses all the days of the coming week. So
this Shabbat blesses all of the new year's Shabbats which in turn bless
all of the weekdays of the year. This especially makes sense because
Shabbat is on a higher spiritual level than the holidays-even higher
than Rosh Hashanah.
G'mar Chatima Tova!
Shabbat
Shalom, Shaul
(for a
free weekly email subscription, click
here)
For last year's essay by Rabbi Leiter on this week's Reading, see the
archive.
FROM
THE SAGES OF KABBALAH ON KabbalaOnline.org
Specifically,
for an overview of the recommended articles in the columns:
Holy Zohar, Holy Ari, Mystic Classics, Chasidic Masters, Contemporary
Kabbalists, and more,
click to Vayelech
one sample:
Contemporary
Kabbalists
The
Jewish King and the Sabbatical Year
From the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; adapted by Moshe Yaakov
Wisnefsky
The Sabbatical Year teaches us three primary lessons and the septennial
assembly ceremony at the beginning of the following year is meant to
carry these lessons from the Sabbatical Year into our mundane lives.
To continue,
click
here.
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