Vayeilech

In this parsha

At the age of a hundred and twenty, Moshe tells the people he can no longer lead them and that Yehoshua will bring them into the Land. He encourages both the nation and his successor to be strong and unafraid, for Hashem will go before them. He writes down the Torah, entrusts it to the Kohanim and elders, and commands the mitzvah of Hakhel — the septennial gathering of the whole people to hear it read. Hashem foretells Israel's future straying and the song that will testify against them.

Themes

• Israel reveals creation's truth
• Torah as hidden testimony
• Nature testifying through emunah
• Inscribing Torah on the heart
• Hakhel renewing Torah's light
• Awakening the hidden light

Must-read teachings

1. 1Israel Reveals Creation's Inner TruthThe Chidushei harim explained the pasuk (Devarim 31:28) “…and I will make the heavens and earth bear witness against them” This is because Bnei Yisrael clarify and rejoice in the pnimius of creation, for they testify that everything is only…תרל"א
2. 2Nature Testifies Through EmunahOn the verse "And I shall call as witnesses against them the heavens etc." (Devarim 30:19), my grandfather, master and teacher, of blessed memory, explained that it is through Bnei Yisrael that the glory of Hashem, may He be blessed, become…תרמ"ד
3. 3Torah Light Testifying Through ConcealmentRegarding the verse, "And this song shall testify before them as a witness, for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of their offspring" (Devarim 31:21). The Sfas Emes opens with the verse that promises the Torah's song will remain fore…תרל"ט
4. 4Written Torah In GalusIn the parsha it is written, "Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers" and so on, and it says, "and they will say, 'Is it not because my God is not in my midst' " and so on, "and I will surely hide" and so on, "and it shall be t…תרמ"ח
5. 5Hakhel Renewing Torahs LightRegarding the mitzvah of Hakhel. The Sfas Emes opens by setting his focus on the mitzvah of Hakhel, the gathering of all Bnei Yisrael to hear the Torah read by the king. "They shall hear and they shall learn etc." It appears that through th…תרמ"ב
6. 6Awakening The Hidden LightRegarding the verse, "And I will surely hide [My face]" (Devarim 31:18), followed by, "And now write for yourselves [this song]" (Devarim 31:19), "place it in their mouths" (Devarim 31:19), "for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of h…תרמ"א
7. 7Root Generation Teshuvah PowerOn the verse, "And now, write for yourselves [this song]... and this song shall testify before it..." (Devarim 31:19-21). The Sfas Emes opens with the verse commanding Bnei Yisrael to write the song of Haazinu, which will serve as a testimo…תרמ"ה