n.52 Nitzavim / n. 53 Vayelech

PARASHOT Vayelech n.53

Moses describes the Covenant between G-d and the Israelites, urging the Israelites to uphold the Covenant and honor the Torah, so that they may be rewarded with life in the land of Israel. Moses continues his last speech before the Israelites: “You are standing before G-d in order to enter into the Covenant of G-d and take the oath that G-d makes with you, so that G-d may fulfill G-d’s promise to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is not with you alone, but with those who are here and those who are not here that G-d makes this Covenant and oath.” Moses continues: “You remember how we dwelt in the land of Egypt as slaves and saw the Egyptians worshipping their idols. If any of you turns your heart away now from our G-d to serve these foreign gods, there could be among you a root that will someday ripen as a poison. G-d will not be willing to forgive those who know of this Covenant but follow their own selfish heart.” Moses concludes his speech to the Israelites, blesses Joshua, and instructs the community to gather every seven years to read publicly from the Torah; G-d predicts the eventual straying of the Israelites. The Israelites are still gathered on the bank of the River Jordan listening to Moses saying: “I am 120 years old today. G-d has told me that I shall not pass over into the Promised Land. Still, G-d will pass before you. G-d will destroy the nations so that you can take possession of the land. You shall deal with these nations as you have been instructed. Be steadfast and strong and do not fear these nations or be frightened of them, for G-d is going with you. G-d will not let go of you, nor will G-d forsake you.” Then Moses calls Joshua and says to him before the eyes of all Israel: “Be steadfast and strong, for you are to go with this people to the land that G-d swore to their fathers to give to them. You shall have them take possession of it, to inherit it. G-d will be with you.”