Summary

This is the final portion in the Torah.  It contains Moses’ last words to the Children of Israel before he dies.  He blesses each tribe describing their characteristics and good fortune.

He ends by reminding the Israelites of their good fortune that will be provided to them by God.  Moses then climbs Mount Nebo and God shows him the entire Promised Land. Moses dies at the age of 120.  His burial place is unknown. The people mourn him for 30 days. Joshua becomes their new leader.

The portion ends with this line:  Never again could a prophet arise like Moses, who knew God face-to-face.

Torah Portion in English

1) This is the blessing with which Moses, the man of God, bade the Israelites farewell before he died. 2) He said: The Lord came from Sinai; He shone upon them from Seir; He appeared from Mount Paran, And approached from Ribeboth-kodesh, Lightning flashing at them from His right.

3)  Lover, indeed, of the people, Their hallowed are all in Your hand. They followed in Your steps, Accepting Your pronouncements,

4) When Moses charged us with the Teaching As the heritage of the congregation of Jacob.

5) Then He became King in Jeshurun, When the heads of the people assembled, The tribes of Israel together. 6) May Reuben live and not die, Though few be his numbers.

7) And this he said of Judah: Hear, O Lord the voice of Judah And restore him to his people. Though his own hands strive for him, Help him against his foes.

8) And of Levi he said: Let Your Thummim and Urim Be with Your faithful one, Whom You tested at Massah, Challenged at the waters of Meribah;

9) Who said of his father and mother, “I consider them not.” His brothers he disregarded, Ignored his own children. Your precepts alone they observed, And kept Your covenant.

10) They shall teach Your laws to Jacob And Your instructions to Israel. They shall offer You incense to savor And whole-offerings on Your altar.

11) Bless, O Lord, his substance, And favor his undertakings. Smite the loins of his foes; Let his enemies rise no more.

12) Of Benjamin he said: Beloved of the Lord, He rests securely beside Him; Ever does He protect him, As he rests between His shoulders.

13) And of Joseph he said: Blessed of the Lord be his land With the bounty of dew from heaven, And of the deep that couches below;

14) With the bounteous yield of the sun, And the bounteous crop of the moons;

15) With the best from the ancient mountains, And the bounty of hills immemorial;

16) With the bounty of earth and its fullness, And the favor of the Presence in the Bush. May these rest on the head of Joseph, On the crown of the elect of his brothers.

17) Like a firstling bull in his majesty, He has horns like the horns of the wild-ox; With them he gores the peoples, The ends of the earth one and all. These are the myriads of Ephraim, Those are the thousands of Manasseh.

Getting to Know my Parasha

What Does my Parasha Say?

1. How old is Moses when he dies?
2. Why is it important for Moses to bless the people the way he did?
3. What or who is Jeshurun?
4. What is the blessing that Moses gives to all of the Israelites?
5. What mountain did Moses climb in the end?
6. Do we know where Moses is buried?
7. How long did the Israelites mourn Moses?
8. Why was there never a prophet like Moses again?