The final words of the Torah, in Vezot Habracha, contain a message about how to relate to acts of zealotry and intolerance and at the same time, provide a proactive template for how the Jewish nation can allow for diversity while retaining togetherness.

Just as Yacov gives brachot to his sons at the end of Bereshit, Moshe blesses the tribes – Bnei Yisrael – at the end of Devarim. One glaring difference is that the tribe of Shimon disappears from the list in Devarim. Some commentaries explain that the bracha for Shimon was contained within the bracha to Yehuda through the language “Shema Hashem” which contains part of Shimon’s name. Yet the Midrash Sifrei suggests otherwise: Yacov’s blessing to Shimon and Levi condemns their act of zealotry in the story of Shechem. Levi corrected their behavioral tendency toward intolerance and violence. However, the tribe of Shimon continued to act with zealous violence when Pinchas slayed the Midianite woman and sinning Israelite at Shittim. The message of this midrash: The absence of Shimon from Moshe’s blessings of the tribes is a reminder of the dangers of zealotry and intolerance and a rejection of extremism. 

Vezot Habracha also positively advocates for tolerance: “Then [God] became King in Jeshurun…The tribes of Israel together.” Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai likens “the tribes of Israel together” to two separate boats which were banded together and then built upon with impressive edifices. If the ships remain bonded together, the structure endures. If separated, it collapses. Also, Moshe gives brachot to the people as a whole, then to the individual tribes and then concludes with more blessings for the Jewish nation. This movement from national to individual to national highlights the importance of maintaining the individual character of segments of the Jewish people while also serving as a reminder that we are responsible for each other as a nation.

May the completion of the Torah this chag be a continued source of blessing for Am Yisrael. May the voices of tolerance be heard more than the voices of zealotry and extremism. And, may we value individualism and diversity, while also remaining connected to each other as a nation. Shabbat Shalom and Chag sameach! -Karen Miller Jackson

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