Strength and Courage
D’var Torah for Parashat Vayelech
By Rabbi Boaz D. Heilman
September 28, 2022
Vayelech (“And he went,” Deuteronomy 31:1-30) brings us close to the conclusion of the Torah—it is the third portion from the end. At this point, at the full age of 120 years, Moses is given two last chores: First, he must complete writing the Torah and entrust it to the Levites, with the instruction that they read it publicly and teach it to the people—men, women and children, Jews and non-Jews alike. The Torah is not meant to be a book of secrets and mystery. Its message is for all people and for all eternity. God tells Moses that in future days, the Israelites will stray from God’s path. At such times, the Torah will serve as a beacon for them. Its light and message will call them back, and when they return, God will take them all back and provide shelter and protection once again.
Following this, Moses’s last task is to appoint Joshua his successor. It will be Joshua who will lead the Israelites as they enter the Promised Land. With all Israel there as witnesses, Moses blesses Joshua, saying chazak v’ematz, be strong and of good courage! It will take strength, yes, but also courage. Israel’s path through history will be not always be easy. There will be times when we will need all the strength and courage we can muster to survive. That’s when, Moses our Rabbi teaches, the light of the Torah will appear to us, and, responding to its call, we will rediscover God, the source of our might. The Torah is at the core of our strength. It’s the poem of Israel’s existence and history of survival. Today it is still found in every Sacred Ark in every synagogue and temple. Verses and chapters from it are still read at every Sabbath and at every holy day service. As Moses instructed us, it is still taught and explained in such a way that both children and adults can understand its message, each according to their ability
This is Moses’s legacy to us for all eternity, and when we study it and apply its laws to our lives, both we and the world are made better.
© 2022 by Boaz D. Heilman
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