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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Vayelech
These opening words from our Sedra are quite mysterious, because we never are told just where Moshe went to! The Torah could have easily started the parsha with the very next phrase, "And he spoke these words to Bnei Yisrael." What does the "Vayelech" add?
There are many thoughts by the rabbis on this. Some say that Moshe physically went from tent to tent – no small feat in a community of 2 million plus! - & said his final good-byes to his beloved nation. Others suggest that he went & took Yehoshua with him, in order to impress upon the people that his successor was now to be respected & obeyed.
Rav Moshe Feinstein (who, like Moshe Rabbeinu, was born on 7 Adar!) even writes that Moshe went to die, to fulfill Hashem’s command willingly, for if he had resisted G-d's order, he would not have died at all!
But there is another practical meaning to this phrase that I believe is most apropos for the impending day of Yom Kippur.
From the moment that Moshe is born, he is on the move, a man of perpetual action. His very name "Moshe," says the Sforno, does not actually mean, "he who is pulled out (of the water);" as the Torah says. That is far too passive
for Moshe. Instead the name literally means, "He who pulls others (out from danger)". And so he will. Indeed, Moshe is known for his steadfast activism: He saves a fellow Jew from being killed by an Egyptian; he defends the women at the well; he goes back & forth umpteen times (talk about "shuttle diplomacy!") to try & convince Paro to let the Israelites go. He splits seas, he fights wars, he literally climbs the mountain – twice – in his tireless task to take a nation from slavery to salvation.
The lesson for us should be abundantly clear: We can never, ever stop moving, for any organism that ceases to move or to grow invariably shrivels & dies. Even an inanimate object must be in flux; if you don’t drive a car for years, it turns into a rusty hunk of junk; a long-neglected pen won’t write – even with a full supply of ink.
So, too, our Neshamot – like our muscles – must be continually exercised if they are to avoid atrophy. Standing in one place for too long, we slowly drift backwards, rather than upwards. We have to move! And that is precisely why the
act of atonement – in truth, a movement back to Hashem – is called Teshuva, to turn, or re-turn. Keep moving, but turn in the right direction, always towards the Almighty.
On many of our busy streets, there are traffic signs indicating that a U-turn is prohibited there. But when it comes to seeking forgiveness, it helps to remember that Hashem not only allows, but encourages YOU-turns!
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
