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According to Jewish tradition, it was now the seventh day of Adar, and the Heavenly Voice called out to Moses, "This is your last day on earth." Moses then went to speak with the children of Israel to bid them farewell:

"I am one hundred and twenty years old today," he told the people, "and can no longer go forth and come in." Moreover, since the LORD had confirmed that he was soon to die, Yehoshua (Joshua) was to be ordained as his successor to lead the people successfully into the Promised Land across the Jordan river. In the presence of the entire assembly, Moses urged Joshua to be strong and courageous, and to place his full trust in the LORD.

Moses then committed the Law to writing and delivered it to the kohanim (priests) for safekeeping. He then commanded that after Israel was safely in the land, the law should be publicly recited to all of Israel during the festival of Sukkot, in order that “they may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law.” This is sometimes called the mitzvah of hakheil (literally - gathering).

The LORD then called Moses and Joshua into the Mishkan (tent of meeting) to commission Joshua as Moses’ successor. While there, the LORD foretold that the Israelites would “whore after the foreign gods” and break covenant with Him.  On account of this, Moses was instructed to teach the Israelites a song called the Ha’azinu. Joshua was then commissioned with these words from the LORD: "Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you."

After this, Moses further instructed the Levites to put the scroll of the Law beside the Aron HaKodesh (Ark of the Covenant) to bear witness against Israel if they were to deviate from its teachings.

The parashah ends with Moses gathering the people together to teach them the Ha’azinu, which would again remind them of the consequences of turning against the LORD.

Haftarah Reading Snapshot:

Note: The Haftarah is Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27 when Vayeilech falls on Shabbat Shuvah; otherwise the reading is only Isaiah 55:6-8.

The Haftarah for Vaiyeilech (when it falls on Shabbat Shuvah) is connected with the theme of the Ten Days of repentance. The first reading from Hosea begins with a clarion call to do teshuvah (repentance).

And even though Israel has repeatedly sinned, the LORD is ready to forgive them and heal them of their apostasy:

The second part of the Haftarah is read from Joel 2:11-27. The LORD warned the people that a locust attack was coming to destroy the land, but Joel was sent to appeal to them to repent. However, repentance must be wholehearted - with fasting and weeping - with rending of the heart instead of outward garments. Happily, the people did repent, and the LORD greatly restored the people and the land.

The last portion of the Haftarah is read from Micah 7:18-20, recalling the grace and compassion of the LORD for Israel:

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.  You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old. (Micah 7:18-20)

Brit Chadashah Snapshot:

The reading from the Brit Chadashah appeals to the believer in the Messiah Yeshua to share the message of the LORD’s redemptive love with all the world.  Ethnic Israel, beloved as she is of God, has undergone a partial hardening until all of those whom the LORD has called from among the nations have been “grafted in” to the covenant promises originally given to Israel. After this time, all Israel will indeed be saved (Rom. 11:26), and the chosen nation will once again be restored and fully forgiven. Then the words of the prophets will all come true, and Israel will be adorned with honor and blessing above all the nations of the earth. Our “eschatological brethren” will finally be home from their long exile!



Blessing:

based on the Torah portion

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