BH
Vezot Habracha, the final parsha of the Torah, opens with these words, "This is the blessing with which Moshe, the man of G-d, blessed the Jewish People before his death" (Devarim 33:1).
Why did Moshe choose this moment to bless the people, and what led him to do so?
Rabbi Yitschak Abarbanel offers an intriguing answer, one that traces a clear progression through the Torah's final three Parshiot, Vayelech, Haazinu and Vezot Habracha.
The story begins in Parshat Vayelech. The word "Vayelech" means "and he went," and the Abarbanel explains that Moshe went personally to each and every member of the Jewish people to bid them farewell. At that point, Moshe had no plans to add a further blessing.
Then G-d instructed Moshe to teach the Jewish People the song of Haazinu, and this changed everything. The Abarbanel explains that G-d wanted the song to be presented as Moshe's own words and prophecy, not as a direct declaration from G-d.
Why? Because Haazinu foretells times when the Jewish people would stray. Had those words been presented as coming directly from G-d, they would have sounded like a decree, as if the people's failings were already sealed and beyond their control. They might conclude that their free will had been taken from them and that there was no point in trying to do better. Presented as Moshe's words, however, the same message would be heard as a warning, leaving the future in their hands.
But this created a problem for Moshe. He now realized that his last message to the Jewish people would be filled with harsh warnings and painful predictions. He could not bear to say goodbye to them that way.
That is why, the Abarbanel explains, Moshe chose to bless the Jewish people. He wanted his final words to the people he loved to be words of blessing and encouragement, words they would carry with them always. Through these blessings, Moshe's inspiration, his love, and his unwavering, positive belief in the Jewish people would live on for all generations.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach
