Vezot Habracha: Was Shimon Cancelled?

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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

p.s. I also want to thank you for joining me for this year of Power Parsha and for your wonderful feedback! This coming year will focus on parsha and contemporary issues. Please think of a friend or two who might like to receive Power Parsha and send them this link! Also if you already receive Power Parsha, no need to sign up again:-) Here is a link to send friends:

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Simchat Torah: Celebrating Torah!

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Beginnings and endings are significant. This is true in the Torah as well. On Simchat Torah we complete the Torah when we read parshat Vezot Habracha and then begin again with sections of Bereshit. Why celebrate the completion of the Torah reading cycle? And how does this correspond with Rashi’s commentary on the final verse of the Torah?  

King Solomon set a precedent for celebrating a “siyum,” completion of a book or the entire Torah. The midrash (Shir Hashirim Rabbah 1:9) teaches that King Solomon awoke from a dream having acquired great wisdom which he had requested, so he celebrated with great joy and thanksgiving. This early source for celebrating the completion of the Torah on Simchat Torah highlights the importance of acquiring Torah wisdom as well as personalizing, innovating and ultimately celebrating our relationship with Torah.

A similar message is found in Rashi’s interpretation of the final verse of Devarim: “And in all that strong hand and awesome power that Moses displayed before the eyes of all Israel.” Rashi, citing midrash Sifrei, associates “that strong hand” with Moshe receiving the tablets “in his hands.” And “before the eyes of Israel” with Moshe smashing the tablets “before their eyes.” Why end his commentary on this seemingly negative note, a reminder of a low point for Israel? In fact, the Talmud sees positivity in Moshe’s breaking the luchot: “asher shibarta” (which you broke) is interpreted as God saying “yashar koḥakha” (loosely: more power to you) that you broke them. Rashi’s final commentary emphasizes that Torah does not come to an end. A “Living Torah” provides the possibility to continuously receive the Torah alongside the need to sometimes break or innovate within Torah – which is affirmed by God.   

May Simchat Torah be filled with personal appreciation and communal celebration of Torah. I want to thank you all for joining me on another power parsha journey this past year and I look forward to continuing to deepen our appreciation of Torah together this upcoming year! Chag Sameach – Karen Miller Jackson
This week we begin a new Torah reading and “Power Parsha” cycle. Please encourage friends and family to join! (if you already receive it, no need to sign up). To subscribe to “Power Parsha” a short dvar Torah on the topic of parsha, mindfulness and tefilla via whatsapp click here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CKLpCygJaBf20sKbNmRV1u or via email here: https://karenmillerjackson.com/