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Parshas Vayeilech

Pesukim: 30 [Siman:אדניה]

Haftorah: Yeshayahu 61:10-63:9

Shabbos Shuva Haftorah: Hosheia 14:2-10[1]; Micha 7:18-20

Rishon

1. Moshe’s last day, instructions not to fear conquering Canaan:
   • Moshe informs that he must step down from leadership: Moshe went and spoke the following words to all of Bnei Yisrael: “I am 120 years old today, and I am no longer able to enter and exit [to the Jewish people], and Hashem has informed me that I will be unable to cross the Jordan river.
   • Conquering the nations of Canaan: Hashem will pass before you [to Canaan] and He will destroy the nations from before you, and you shall inherit them. Yehoshua will lead you into Israel, as Hashem has spoken.”

Sheiyni

• “Hashem will do onto the nations as He did to Sichon and Og, the Emorite kings, and their land, which He obliterated. Hashem will deliver these nations to you, and you shall do with them that which I commanded.
• Not to fear: Be strong, do not fear the gentile’s nations as Hashem your G-d will be leading you and will not forsake you.”

Shelishi (Chamishi when combined with Nitzavim)

• Moshe appoints and encourages Yehoshua: Moshe summoned Yehoshua and said to him in front of all the Jewish people to be strong, as he will lead the Jewish people into the promised land and conquer it. “Hashem will lead you and be with you and will not forsake you. Do not be afraid.”

2. Moshe gives a Torah scroll to the tribe of Levi:
   • Moshe wrote this Torah and gave it to the Kohanim who carry the Aron, and to all the elders of Israel.

Revi’i

3. The Mitzvah of Hakhel:

• Moshe commanded them as follows: “At the end of the seventh [i.e. Shemita] year, during Sukkos, when all of Bnei Yisrael come [to Jerusalem] to visit Hashem, you are to read this Torah before them.
• Gather the men, women, children and converts so that they hear and learn and install fear of Hashem in their hearts to perform all of the Torah commands. Their children who are ignorant will hear and learn to fear Hashem throughout all the days that you live on earth, on the land that you will inherit.”

Chamishi (Shishi when combined with Nitzavim)

4. Hashem instructs Moshe before his death:

• Hashem summons Moshe and Yehoshua: Hashem said to Moshe: “Your days are limited, and you will soon pass away. Summon Yehoshua and you and him should stand before Me by the Ohel Moed and I will command you.” Moshe and Yehoshua did as instructed and stood before the Ohel Moed. Hashem appeared in the Ohel Moed in a pillar of cloud.
• Hashem tells Moshe the future sins of the Jewish people and their punishments: Hashem told Moshe that he will soon pass away and the Jewish people will stray after Moshe’s passing. “They will stray after the foreign deities and they will leave Me and annul My covenant which I made with them. I will be very angry on that day and will forsake them and hide My face from them. They will become prey, and much evil and suffering will befall them. On that day it will be said “All this tragedy is happening to me because I do not have G-d found within my midst.” I, Hashem, will hide My face from them on that day due to all the evil they did, as they turned to other Gods.”

5. Hashem commands Moshe to write the song of Haazinu:

• “Now, you shall write for yourselves this song and teach it to the Jewish people. Place it on their mouths in order so this song serve as a testimony to them.”

Shishi (Shevi’i when combined with Nitzavim)

• “I will bring the Jewish people to the promised land, the land of milk and honey, and they will eat to satiation and stray after other gods, breaking My covenant. When tragedy befalls them, this song will be their testimony. This song shall never be forgotten from their offspring.” [It will serve as testimony that I forewarned regarding the punishments if they do not guard my words.]
• Moshe wrote the song on that day and taught it to Bnei Yisrael. So it was that Moshe completed the writing of the Torah until its end.

Shevi’i

6. Moshe instructs the Levites to place the Sefer Torah in the Aron:

• Moshe instructed the tribe of Levi who carry the Aron as follows: “Take this Sefer Torah and place it at the side of the Aron as a testimony. I know the nation’s rebellious nature and stubbornness as I witnessed during my leadership and as will occur after my death.”

7. Moshe summons the leaders to gather before him and teaches them the song of testimony:

• Moshe asked for all the elders of Israel to gather before him for him to teach them all these words, and called the heaven and earth to bear witness. “I know that the Jewish people will become corrupt after my death and stray away from the commands, and tragedies will befall them in the end of days.”

Moshe told this song to all of the Jewish people, until its

[1] So is followed by Sepharadi and Chabad communities. However, Ashkenazi communities read also from Yoel 2:11-27 and only then read from Micha 7:18-19.