Written by Hindy, כב תשרי תשפ”ד, October 6, 2023
This week’s parsha will be read on the significant end to the Sukkot holiday. After, on the chag of Simchat Torah, Sefer Bereishit will be reopened, and the Chamishei Chumshei Torah will begin again. The timing of this is intentional … to show that just as our lives are cyclical, so too the cycle of our reading of the Five Books of Moshe is as well. Unlike I mentioned last year, Torah learning does not (ever) end, and while Parshat V’Zot Habracha finishes Sefer Devarim, it is only the “end” until the book of Bereishit is opened and read on Simchat Torah.
Moshe blesses the tribes in V’Zot Habracha, beginning with the eldest, Reuven. Moshe’s bracha to Shevet Reuven is what helped him attain his share in Olam Haba’ah, according to Ramban. It seems Moshe excluded Shimon from his brachot for what the nasi Zimri had done, which is recorded in the Parsha Balak. The tribe of Yehuda is blessed next, before Shevet Levi, because Yehuda had stepped up and became a respectable leader among his brothers, who could take accountability, and accredit others. Levi’s blessing alludes to the service of the Leviim in the Beit Hamikdash.
Moshe next blessed Shevet Binyamin often blessed with security1. The brothers Yissachar and Zevulun are blessed jointly by Moshe, “Succeed Zevulun, in your commerce and business, and Yisachar in your tents of Torah.” Shevet Gad was given a blessing for strength in battle, since on the Eastern side of the Yardein, the Gadim were in danger of attacks from all surrounding enemies. Similarly, the great warrior shevet, Dan is blessed for their protection of the soon-to-be Israelites on the northern front.
Then, Shevet Asher is blessed to be well-liked. While there are many comments on this, most interpreters agree that Shevet Asher was said to have quite exceptional women of character and strength3, which many men from outside shevatim wanted to marry. This made them an amicable and popular tribe, supporting Bnei Yisrael. Following the brachot of Asher, Moshe concluded, stating the fortune of Yisrael for the safety given to us by Hashem.
The end of the parsha details Moshe Rebbenu’s passing. Interestingly, the last word of V’Zot Habracha is “ישראל“, the first word of Bereishit is “In the Beginning”. We can take this to me a that even when it looks gloomy for the Jews, when it may seem the end is near (just as this parsha is the last), that we are being finished as we know it, we can wait just a few hours until The Beginning (read on Simchat Torah), is welcomed and celebrated again.
Chag Sameach!
Hindy