Moshe's Final Words

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1. "Hak'hel:" The Septennial National Assembly

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   Why is the mitzvah of Hak’hel only mentioned in Moshe’s final days? What is the purpose of Hak’hel? This article debates the matter, with special focus on the Rambam’s view, and discusses the division of the Torah into parashot in relation to the mitzvah of Hak’hel.

2. Chapter 23:Yehoshua Addresses the People

   Rabbi Michael Hattin

   The final two chapters of Sefer Yehoshua constitute Yehoshua's parting words to the people of Israel. There are two discrete addresses contained in these chapters, the last offered at a great assembly of the people at Shechem, and ours communicated to the people at an unnamed location. In both, Yehoshua employs the oratorical conventions of encouragement and warning, inspiration and rebuke. God's providential care of the people is recalled, His unwillingness to brook their disloyalty evoked. This lesson will explore the similarities of Yehoshua’s address to Moshe’s parting speech.

3. Recalling the Revelation at Sinai

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   In Parshat Va'etchanan Moshe mentions Ma'amad Har Sinai in three different places, and in each case it is mentioned as a subject in its own right, rather than incidentally. This raises the question: why is the great revelation mentioned three separate times in our parsha, with a distance of only a few verses in between them? Why is the discussion of the revelation not concentrated in one place in Moshe's speech? What is the purpose of all this commemoration, and in what context is it mentioned? By dividing the book of Devarim into separate units and analyzing the structure of Parshat Va'etchanan, we can learn about the intended goal of the mentions of the revelation - to elevate Israel and strengthen their faith in the validity of the covenant between them and God. 

4. I Sin Therefore I Am

   Avidan Freedman

5. It's How You Say It - The Final Rebuke of Moshe Rabbeinu

   Rabbi David Milston | Hour and 11 minutes

   The Torah commands us to rebuke someone who is acting in a wrong manner. However, delivering such rebuke can be challenging and counterproductive. As parents and educators, how can our rebukes be productive and helpful and not harmful?  We turn to Moshe during his last speech to Israel prior to entering the land as the model of successful and productive rebuke, learning from the various tactics he employs and applying them to our own lives.