Deuteronomy, the Book of

A yerushah is a bequest that can be used any way that the beneficiary chooses. It can be used wisely, squandered foolishly, or simply discarded. In contrast, a morashah must be protected and preserved.

The Torah doesn’t end in a nice tidy way at the end of the Jewish year because life and learning are messy affairs without straight lines and clean edges.

Would you rather that others are nice to you, or honest with you?

Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

Introduction Our Sages teach, Berachos 12a. “Everything follows the conclusion.” It follows that if we want to understand the fundamental message of the Torah, we should look to its conclusion. Rashi interprets the final words of the Torah as referring to...

Introduction Moshe knew that this was to be the last day of his life. For more than a month, he had been speaking to the Jewish people, communicating his farewell message. He had appointed Yehoshua as his successor and, together with him, taught the peopl...

Introduction Parshas Vezos HaBerachah is read on Simchas Torah, the holiday celebrated by spirited dancing, rejoicing with the Torah in a manner that knows no bounds. These celebrations are not highlighted by Torah study but rather by dancing with the Tor...

The Torah finishes with the death of Moshe. It tells us that there never was nor would there ever be a prophet like Moshe. The Torah ends with the words, " before the eyes of all of Israel." . (Ch. 34 verses 7 - 12)

Moshe goes up to the top of Mt. Nevo where he views the land of Israel and blesses it. The Torah tells us that he died there, yet there are different opinions as to where he is buried and who buried him. (Ch. 34 verses 1 - 6)

Moshe blesses the tribes of Gad, Dan, Naphtali, Ahsher, and concludes with a general blessing meant to extend to all the tribes! (Ch. 33 verses 20 - 29)