The Long Farewell

Parshat Nitzavim-Vayelech

This week's portion is actually a double portion - Nitzavim and Vayelech.  The Torah is divided up into 54 portions, so every once in a while we are gifted with a double portion.  This week is one of those.  There are only two more parshas before we reach the end of the Torah, at which point we roll it all the way back to the beginning and start again!

Synopsis: Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20)

Moses continues his farewell to the people.  He tells them that this day they stand before God concluding their covenant.  Moses informs the people that the covenant is not only made with them, but also with those not present.  All Israel past, present, and future is bound to the covenant for all time.

Moses foretells of a future rebellion against God's covenant and describes the evils that will then befall the Israelites.  After a time, the people will repent and God will restore them back to the Land in blessing.

The portion closes with Moses telling the people that they have a choice between life and prosperity or death and adversity.  In choosing to obey God's commandments, the people choose life and will be able to enjoy the land that God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Synopsis: Vayelech (Deuteronomy 31:1-30)

Moses explains to the people that he is old and is no longer able to be an active leader.  He appoints Joshua to be the next leader of Israel.

Moses completes the writings of the Teaching.  He gives it to the Levites, who carried the Ark, and to all the elders of Israel.  He charges them to read this Teaching every seventh year at the Feast of Booths.

God tells Moses and Joshua that the people will rebel shortly after Moses' death.  God instructs Moses to write down a poem that will serve as a witness, warning the people.

The portion closes as Moses prepares to recite the poem to the whole congregation of Israel.

Some questions for your dinner table:

1. In Nitzavim, we are told that the laws of the Torah that we are to know and observe is not beyond anyone's reach, that everyone is capable of knowing and understanding it.  How do you learn about Jewish tradition?  Do your classes in Religious School provide you with all the skills and knowledge you need to live as a Jew?  How else will you continue to learn?
2. At the end of Vayelech, Moses gives the Teaching (the Torah) to the Levites and to all the elders of Israel.  Every seven years, they were instructed to read the Teaching at the Feast of Booths (Sukkot), as a way of passing the Teaching down through the generations.  It wasn't only given to one person, but to many.  What is your role in this continuity?  How will you pass down the lessons you learn from the Torah?
3. According to the text, Moses spoke to the people, telling them he had reached the age of 120.  Even today, when we are wishing health and good fortune to people we know, we will often say "May you live to 120 years."  Why might we use Moses's age and not the length of the lives of other important people from our tradition?  

And now, two Torah toons for you:

Nitzavim:

Vayelech:

Blessings and Curses

Ki Tavo
Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Synopsis
Moses continues his review of the Law begun in the previous portion, Ki Teitzei.  He tells the people that when they enter the Land and settle it, they are to bring the first fruits as sacrifices.  The ceremony for bringing this sacrifice is detailed.  As part of this ritual, the priest recites a brief history of the Israelites - Abraham's/Jacob's wanderings, the experience of slavery in Egypt, the Exodus, and ultimately the occupation and possession of the Promised Land.

Moses concludes his review of the Law with instructions about tithing.  An individual's tithe is one-tenth of the harvest.  This tenth part is divided and distributed among the Levites, the strangers, the orphaned, and the widowed.

Moses gives his final instructions to the people.  Upon crossing the Jordan, the people are to set up 12 stones on Mount Ebal. The stones are to be covered with plaster and inscribed with the laws which Israel is to obey.

Ki Tavo concludes with a dramatic description of the recitation of the blessings and curses.  The tribes are divided into two groups with Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin on Mt. Gerizim reciting "Amen" after blessings are pronounced, which the Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulum, Dan, and Naphtali tribes on Mt. Ebal respond "Amen" after each curse.

Some questions for your dinner table:

1. Throughout the Biblical period, there was no real structure for prayer.  People mostly used their own words and style.  Ki Tavo, which means "when you enter [the Promised Land]," there is, for the first time, a specific structure and context given for a worship experience.  Which do you prefer?  Are you more comfortable with unstructured personal prayer, or do you prefer the structure of prayer found in a service led by a Rabbi or Hazzan?

2. Towards the end of Ki Tavo, there is a dramatic recitation of the blessings and curses.  Scholars see these as an ancient series of rules the people were to follow, with the blessings and curses being the way that they were enforced.  Are you ever in a situation where you have to make sure others are following the rules?  What is it like to be the one in this role?

3) Do you think God still sends blessings and curses? How?