Parashat Vayelech

What would you do if you knew you were about to die? I'm sure everyone has their own ideas and answers, some more religious than others.

Well, let's see a great example in Moses.

This week, the Torah tells us that some of the last things Moses does all relate to caring for the future of the Jewish people. He continues his instruction to them as to their proper behavior, as well as personally appointing Joshua as his successor and the next leader of the Jewish people.

Then he goes on and relates the commandment of Hakhel; to gather the Jews once every 7 years to hear the Torah reading together in the Temple. It is not surprising that here at the end of Moshe's life he worries about the nation, for that was how he started his life too.

The first time we meet Moshe is when he goes out of King Pharaoh’s palace and cares for the Jews being beaten. The commentators on the Torah note that the name Moshe means to affect others.

Let's learn the lesson that Moshe emulated and ended his life with, let’s start making greater efforts towards caring for the wider community.

Think of new ways you can give to your community.

Be generous in all areas in your life. The more one gives the more flows back to them. Think of caring more, sharing more, giving more of your time and resources, adding more Chessed, more learning and more prayer, and other acts of Loving Kindness.

Here at B’nai Sephardim, we are creating a strong sense of community and being united. Get informed and get involved! Please contact us about seeing how you can help us.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yaacov Laredo