וילך

Moses went and spoke to all Israel. He stood before the gathered people and said, “I am now one hundred and twenty years old. I can no longer be active. God has said to me, ‘You shall not cross yonder Jordan.’” The people were close to the land they had waited for, but Moses would not lead them in.

Still, Moses spoke with courage. “It is God who will cross over before you,” he said. “God will wipe out the nations from your path, and you shall dispossess them.” He reminded them that God would do to their enemies what was done to Sihon and Og, the Amorite kings.

Then Moses pointed to Joshua. “Joshua is the one who shall cross before you,” he said. “Be strong and resolute; do not be in fear or dread, for God marches with you and will not fail you or forsake you.”

In front of everyone, Moses called Joshua closer and spoke so all could hear: “Be strong and resolute, for you shall go with this people into the land God swore to their fathers, and you shall apportion it to them. God will go before you and be with you. Fear not and be not dismayed.”

Then Moses wrote down this Teaching and handed it to the priests, the sons of Levi who carried the Ark of God’s Covenant, and to the elders. He gave a clear instruction: every seventh year, at the Feast of Booths, when Israel comes to the place God will choose, this Teaching must be read aloud.

“Gather the people, men, women, children, and the strangers in your communities,” Moses said, “so they may hear and learn.” He wanted even the children who had not lived through the journey to listen and remember.

God said to Moses, “The time is drawing near for you to die. Call Joshua and present yourselves in the Tent of Meeting.” Moses and Joshua went, and God appeared in a pillar of cloud at the entrance.

God warned Moses that after entering the land, the people would go astray after alien gods, break the covenant, and face many troubles. They would say, “Surely it is because our God is not in our midst,” yet God would still hide His countenance because of their choices.

So God commanded Moses to write a poem and teach it to Israel, so it would stand as a witness. That day Moses wrote it and taught it. God also charged Joshua: “Be strong and resolute, for you shall bring the Israelites into the land I promised, and I will be with you.”

When Moses finished writing the Torah, God’s Teaching, he told the Levites to place the book beside the Ark as a witness. He gathered elders and officials, called heaven and earth to witness, and then recited the poem to the whole congregation.