V’Zot HaBerachah
Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12‎ 

By Jen Smith 

In V’Zot HaBerachah, the final portion of the Torah, we find Moses giving his farewell address, offering blessings to each of the tribes of Israel. It’s a poignant moment evoking a mix of endings and new beginnings. It feels like Moses is the parent waving goodbye as his kids head off to college, or maybe, like many of us at the end of a long week, just praying everyone gets along on the road trip to the Promised Land! 

This scene is more than just a goodbye. Moses isn’t simply doling out parting words; he’s transmitting spiritual energy, a sense of destiny and purpose. Each blessing is custom-tailored to the unique character of the tribe, and in a way, it reminds us that we each have our own spark of divine potential. If Moses were here today, maybe he’d say something like, “You—yes, you—are filled with potential! And if that potential looks like doing great things… or just getting through the day, you’ve got this!” 

Mysticism teaches us that nothing in life is random, that there are hidden connections between us and the divine, and between each other. Moses, standing on Mount Nebo, gazing out at the Promised Land he will never enter, is both a figure of ultimate leadership and vulnerability. I imagine him having a bittersweet moment, thinking, “Well, I brought them this far… Let’s hope they don’t mess it up!” But his faith in the people is unshaken, because he knows they are part of something bigger, something eternal. 

His blessings are also a reminder that we are not alone. The tribes received individual blessings, yes, but their true strength came from their collective unity. Imagine a family road trip: you might have the one who reads the map, the snack maven, and the one who’s always asking, “Are we there yet?” (every community has that one). But it takes everyone working together to reach our goals as our individual strengths come together to form something greater than ourselves. 

At this time of year, when we’ve just completed the Days of Awe – a period of deep reflection and, hopefully, a little extra coffee to get through the holidays – Moses’ final blessings remind us to bless each other. When we do, we’re passing on not just good wishes, but spiritual nourishment. It’s a ripple effect. One smile, one kind word can brighten a day or even change a life. As we finish the Torah reading cycle and prepare to start again, it’s a great time to ask ourselves: How can we bring more light, a little more humor, a little more warmth into the world? 

So, as we head into this new year, let’s take Moses’ blessings to heart. May we each find our own unique spark and may we, like the tribes of Israel, bring our collective gifts together to create a world filled with love, kindness, and maybe just a little bit of laughter along the way.