Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYg58RK6j6E
Parshah Vayelech describes Moses’ last day on earth. He was 120 years old. He tells everyone that Joshua will be their new leader. Moses wrote the Torah in a scroll and gives the scroll to the Levites to keep safe in the ark.
The mitzvah of hakhel (to gather) is given during the festival of Sukkot. All the people of Israel including men, women and children should gather at the Holy Temple where the king should read to them from the Torah
Vayelech concludes with warnings of the consequences that will occur if they choose to not follow the Torah.
Now we will watch a short video about the Parsha
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) In this parsha, we are introduced to the concept of reading the Torah publicly. Why do you think reading the Torah publicly is so important? Why is that the main act of the bar/bat mitzvah?
2) The storyteller, Mayim Bialik, is an actress living in Hollywood. Are you surprised by her interest and knowledge in Judaism? Why or why not?
3) Why do you think the Torah is compared to a tree? What would you compare it to?