| And this is the blessing with which Moses, G-d’s agent, blessed the children of Israel before his death. | Vezot Habracha asher beirech Moshe ish Haelokim et bnei Yisrael lifnei moto. | וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה אֲשֶׁר בֵּרַךְ מֹשֶׁה אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים אֶת־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לִפְנֵי מוֹתוֹ׃ |
Torah Thoughts
Parashat Vezot Habracha, though a parsha in its own right, is never actually read on Shabbat unless that Shabbat falls on Simchat Torah (does it ever? There are some holidays that never fall on certain days). Rather, it is read on Simchat Torah, immediately after which we begin reading again from Bereishit / Genesis. I this way, we learn that we never FINISH studying Torah; we always continue.
This emphasis on the cycle of life and learning is a constant in Judaism. Most familiar to readers will be the round Challah traditionally eaten on Rosh Hashana, showing that there is no end.
Although we “finish” reading the Torah on Simchat Torah, before we begin anew, one can also continue to read, moving forward in time. In the book of Joshua, the nation of Israel crosses in to the promised land, which is parceled out, as promised, with a portion to each adult male, plus to each of the daughters of Tzlofchad!
You may want to look ahead to Bereishit; some years (like this one) we have three days in a row, so you want to be prepared!