V'zot Haberakhah - Quick Summary

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	Weekly Torah Reading

	Parashat V'zot Haberakhah (“and this blessing”)

	Read only on Simchat Torah

	Click on the links to display the Scriptures:

Parashat	Torah	Haftarah	Brit Chadashah
V'zot Haberakhah	Deut 33:1-34:12	Joshua 1:1-18	Rev 22:1-5




	Torah Reading Snapshot:

	In last week’s parashah (Ha’azinu), Moses taught the Israelites a prophetic shirah (song) that foretold Israel’s history and warned the people not to stray from the path that God had commanded them. Now, just before he was to die, Moses wanted to bless the tribes of Israel and to praise the LORD for His care of the fledgling nation.





	Note: V’zot Haberakhah, the final portion of the Torah, is always read during the festival of Sukkot.

In stylistic language reminiscent of Jacob's blessings to his twelve sons five generations earlier, Moses empowered each tribe with a special role within the community of Israel.

The parashah then records how Moses ascended Mount Nebo, saw the Promised Land, and there died in an unknown place. Joshua the son of Nun is then established as Moses’ successor among the people. The Torah concludes by affirming that “there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face ... for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.”

Haftarah Reading Snapshot:

The Haftarah for V’zot Haberakha records the start of Joshua’s leadership as Moses’ direct successor. Here the LORD directly commissioned him and instructed him to “be strong and of good courage” (chazak ve’ematz) no less than three times. The LORD ended his commission with these words:

This Book of the Law (sefer haTorah hazeh) shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous (chazak ve’ematz). Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:8-9)

Be strong and of good courage. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
- Joshua 1:9

After his commissioning, Joshua commanded the leaders to make themselves ready to conquer the Promised Land as instructed by the LORD.

Brit Chadashah Snapshot:

The reading from the last chapter of the Brit Chadashah provides a vision of “heavenly Jerusalem” and the River of the Water of Life that flows through the city from the very throne of God and of the Lamb. “Paradise lost” is restored by the love and grace of the LORD God of Israel.

Blessing:

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