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PARSHA POSTS: VAYELECH

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Sep 30, 2025, 7:51 AM

Despair, Disbelief, and Resilience: Reflections on Israel at Yom Kippur

This Yom Kippur, we carry with us a heavy mix of emotions. Despair for the lives lost, the families broken, and the hostages still in captivity. Disbelief at a world that dares to accuse us of crimes while ignoring the evil...

Sarah Segal-Katz

Sep 27, 2025, 1:48 PM

Vayelech: Moses the Faithful Shepherd — Legacy and Blessing

The one who shepherded Israel for decades is, in our parashah, the very one who takes leave of the role of “the faithful shepherd” as his life draws to a close. Moses—whose very name, in its midrashic reading, points...

Sep 26, 2025, 7:51 PM

Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch Anticipated Jung and Quantum Physics

How Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch Anticipated Jung and Quantum Physics: The Hidden Unity Behind Everything. Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch (circa 1700–1772), the Maggid of Mezritch, once shared a Torah teaching beginning with V'shavta ad Havayeh Elokecha—“Return, O Israel,...

William Hamilton

Sep 26, 2025, 6:29 PM

Yesterday and Tomorrow

Yesterday’s choice doesn’t have to be tomorrow’s choice. This is what’s being whispered into your ears in this season of repentance. It’s also the beating-heart of this revised version of my second Rosh Hashanah Sermon. Choice is still available to...

Sep 26, 2025, 6:24 PM

The Sound of Music

How does one write a song? Among the necessary elements one needs both a tune and lyrics. Is this the way we are to understand the 613th Commandment featured in this week’s portion of Vayelech? 31:19; וְעַתָּ֗ה כִּתְב֤וּ לָכֶם֙ אֶת־הַשִּׁירָ֣ה...

Sep 26, 2025, 6:17 PM

Parshas Vayelech-Shabbos Shuva 5786

This week's Parsha talks about Moshe Rabbeinu saying goodbye to Klal Yisroel saying: “I am a hundred and twenty years old today; I can no longer go out and come in, and Hashem has told me you shall not cross...

Sep 26, 2025, 5:14 PM

The Spiritual Passport Renewal Process

I applied for a new passport today. When you apply for a new passport, the old one becomes invalid. You’re in limbo—unable to travel until the new one arrives. That’s precisely where we stand between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. On...

Ben-Tzion Spitz

Sep 25, 2025, 10:44 PM

The Hidden Witness (Vayelech)

“Words fly away, written ones remain.” (“Verba volant, scripta manent.”) — Latin proverb Every covenant needs a witness. When two people make a promise, they call others to stand by and testify that the agreement was made. Words alone can...

Mordechai Silverstein

Sep 25, 2025, 10:33 PM

The True Measure of Leadership

How do we measure the role of a leader? By all accounts, Moshe’s leadership was extraordinary and unparalleled. Yet the Torah does not shy away from portraying him, like all human beings, as finite. Just as his brother Aharon...

Sharona Margolin Halickman

Sep 25, 2025, 9:22 PM

Our Roots in Song

Parshat Vayelech (Dvarim 31:19) gives us a trailer for next week’s parsha, Parshat Haazinu: And now write for yourselves this song and teach it to B’nai Yisrael to place it in their mouths; in order that this song will be...

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