Vezos Haberachah

1. Vezot Haberachah
Introduction - This portion is the final portion of the Torah. Its completion
occurs on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, which means literally
rejoicing in the Torah. It’s accompanied by dancing and singing, which we
won’t do today. But the holiday is also accompanied by reading the first
verses of Bereshith, Genesis, which we will do today, to celebrate the idea
that the study of God’s word continues seamlesslywith no end at all to it.
On this holiday, we “start” Torah on the very day we “end” it. Simchat Torah
this year is this Tuesday, so while we’ve lagged the Jewish cycle each
week by a day, we lead it in completionthis week by two days.
Today we’ll study Moses’ blessing of the people, and we’ll have the final
exam we discussed. This will be wonderful.
I. Read 33:1. This is the blessing Moses gives the people before he dies.
The text calls Moses the man of God. What does that mean?

2. (Possibilities suggestedby sages: Inspired by God. Prophet.Blessings will
be fulfilled. Moses had truly and with fidelity served God.He loved people
wholeheartedly and was a model for us all - to be people of God - and
taught us in order that we be so. Wise,strong, principled, and kindly.
Also, Moses returns to hopefulness,intimacy, supportiveness, and mercy,
as God does.)
II. Read 2-5. Why does Moses start the blessing with these verses? What
do they say fundamentally about our relationship in covenant with God?
(Ramban: God dwells among us; we accept the Torah God gives us; and
we acknowledge God’s sovereignty. Also, God comes from Sinai and in so
many opportunities of encounter.
Lover of peoples. Whetherthis is Moses or God, or both, is a bit unclear;
but it’s quite a name!)

3. III.We’ll forego the treatment of all the tribes, though I encourage you to
study them on your own. Just as we found great value in studying Jacob’s
blessings, this is also extraordinary, especiallyin understanding the place
of each tribe and seeing how a community is built out of separate tribes.
A. I do want you to note a few of them, such as in 8-11. Recall the very
different blessing Moses gives Levi than did Jacob. We discussedthis at
length earlier, focusing on the remarkable and vital role this tribe came to
assume in teaching and facilitating our nearness to God. We see in the
blessing of Levi as well as that of several tribes the premium placed on
closenessto God, service of God and love of brothers, teshuvah, and
choosing life.
B. The blessing of Josephis beautiful, of course. Note the dew and the
deep waters that cause us to recall our discussionof waters last week,
suggesting the richness of spirituality in Josephand how it speaks to us

4. throughout all time. One can’t miss also in these verses the sweetness and
lusciousness in the yield of crops and fruits, suggesting fertility and the
most desirable qualities of production generally.
C. Verse 18 is fun. What do you think the sages read this relationship of
these brothers to mean?
(Despite the fact, but maybe including the fact, that the tribe of Issachar
historically was involved in agriculture, one lovely explanation of this text is
that Zebulun was successful in maritime commerce and supported Issachar
in his study of Torah, and Issachar supported Zebulun by bringing God’s
word to life for him and the community. More broadly, we think here of the
virtue of using our material resources to support the spiritual in our lives as
well as the importance of God’s word in our living well in the world.
Shouldn’t each of us have a bit of each of these brothers in each of us?
Keep the idea of Moses’ intertwined blessing of these brothers and their
relationship in your minds as a model to remember.)
IV. God shows Moses the promised land that, though he will shortly die, will
be the fulfillment of his work and the covenant promise. Read 34:5.What
strikes you most about this amazing verse?

5. (Moses dies as the servant of God. This is an even higher notion than man
of God,more one of God’s trusted minister. It reveals his fundamental
purpose in life as well as his extraordinary service and contribution to God
and the people. It surely also shows us a fine model for lives, too.
This notion of “by the mouth of God” - what does that mean to you?
Rashi says it was a kiss, a sort of ultimate favor to Moses, or a servant of
God. So, the God who breathes life in at birth kisses upon death. Others
say this is with the word of God, or at God’s command.)
IV. Read 10-12.The final words are that all of Moses’service to God was
“beforethe eyes of all Israel.” What could that mean to us?
(This whole of God’s word that we studied this year and will continue to
study is laid out before our eyes for our benefit for us as a guide in living in
covenant with God.)

6. V. I know we’re not celebrating Simchat Torah here. But there’s a custom in
study on that day to begin the study of Genesis on the day when
Deuteronomyis completed, as if to say that there is no end to our study of
God’s word. So, in that spirit, let’s just read Genesis 1:1-2, so that, in effect,
we dedicate ourselves to the continuing study here next week, and God
willing, in all weeks to come.
V. “Final Exam” - Discussionof answers to this question: We’ve now
completedour year long journey through the Torah. What are your main
takeaways, lessons or impressions that seem to have most powerfully
stuck with you in our study and discussionand that you believe you’ll most
likely carry forward with you?
Conclusion