וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה

Parsha W’zot Ha’Berachah

Debarim(Deuteronomy) 33:1-34:12

And this is the blessing with which Mosheh the man of Elohim blessed the children of Yisra’el before his death. – Debarim (Deuteronomy) 33:1 

This Torah Portion is entitled וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה “W’zot Ha’Berachah” meaning “and this is the bestowing of favor” which is usually translated “blessing.” The Hebrew (Ibrit/Abryt) term “barach” literally comes from the root which means to bend the knee, the idea being to bestow or gift one with favor. The great prophet Mosheh (Mushah) spent his final day on the earth in full dedication to his people. After teaching them Ha’Azinu, the prophetic song composed by YaHuWaH, he desired to barach them before he died.

Debarim (Deuteronomy) 33: 2And he said, “YaHuWaH came from Sinai, and rose from Se’ir for them. He shone forth from Mount Paran, and came with ten thousands of set-apart ones – at His right hand a law of fire for them.

The Hebrew (Ibri) phrase אֵשׁ דַּת “esh dath” literally means knowledge of fire but is often translated a “law of fire.” The concept of YaHuWaH’s right hand is an expression of his power and authority. Sovereign David (David) described Mashyach (Messiah) as at the “right hand” of YaHuWaH. This means the concept of the right hand, torah, and knowledge of fire are synonymous with the concept of Messiah.

Debarim (Deuteronomy) 33:3Indeed, He loves the peoples, all His set-apart ones are in Your hand. And they, they sat down at Your feet, receiving Your Words. 4Mosheh commanded us a Torah, an inheritance of the assembly of Ya’aqob. 5And He was Sovereign in Yeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, the tribes of Yisra’el.

At Mount Sinai, YaHuWaH officially was coronated Sovereign of his people. Here he entered into covenant with the descendants of Ya’acob whom he renamed “Yisrael.” The term Yeshurun is a poetic play on the word “Yashar” meaning straight. Yeshurun as a title is an expression of favor.

After this declaration Mosheh then began to barach the tribes. Reuben was first in order and his berachah is to live and multiply. Yahudah is to be heard by YaHuWaH and to be mighty in battle. Lewi will handle the Urim and Tummim which belong to YaHuWaH, they shall always be dedicated to the teaching of Torah. YaHuWaH will protect Benyamin. Yahuwseph’s tribes shall inherit the choice of the land, the fruits, the ancient mountains and everlasting hills. His two son’s Ephraim and Menashshe will be as two horns for him. Zebulun will rejoice in their going out and Yissaskar will in their tents, both will draw riches of the seas and treasures in the sand. Gad will be as a lion performing the righteous cause of YaHuWaH. Dan will be as a lion’s cub. Naphtali will be filled with pleasures and possess the west and south of the land. Asher will have his foot dipped in oil yet his sandals will be like iron and bronze, a metaphor for their strength. Strangely Shimon is not mentioned here and most likely this is due to their involvement with Ba’al Peor.

Debarim (Deuteronomy) 33:26“O Yeshurun, there is no one like El, riding the heavens to help you, and on the clouds, in His excellency. 27“The Elohim of old is a refuge, and beneath are everlasting arms. And He drives out the enemy from before you and says, ‘Destroy!’ 28“Thus Yisra’el dwells in safety, the fountain of Ya’aqob alone, in a land of grain and new wine. His heavens also drop down dew. 29“Blessed are you, O Yisra’el! Who is like you, a people saved by YaHuWaH, the shield of your help, and He who is the sword of your excellency! And your enemies are subdued for you, and you tread down their high places.”

Mosheh (Mushah) was one hundred and twenty years old, yet his eyes were not dim nor had he lost any of his freshness. YaHuWaH commanded that he ascend Mount Nebo in the land of Moab opposite the Yarden (Jordan). There Mosheh (Mushah) was shown the Promised Land though he was not allowed to step foot there. After having been shown the land promised to Abraham, Yitshaq and Ya’acob, Mosheh (Mushah) died, yet no one knows the place of his burial. The children of Yisrael(Yashar’al) mourned for Mosheh for a span of thirty days. Yahuwshuwa (Joshua) ben Nun was filled with the ruwach(spirit) of chokmah(wisdom) and took the place of his teacher Mosheh as leader of his people. It would be Yahuwshuwa who would conquest the Promised Land and see to it that the tribes of Yisrael received their inheritance.

Mount Nebo

Debarim(Deuteronomy) 34:10 And since then no prophet has arisen in Yisra’el like Mosheh, whom YaHuWaH knew face to face, 11for all the signs and wonders which YaHuWaH sent him to do in the land of Mitsrayim, before Pharaoh, and before all his servants, and in all his land, 12and for all that strong hand and all the great fearsome deeds which Mosheh did before the eyes of all Yisra’el.

Only Yahuwshuwa Ben Nun could lead the children of Yisrael into the land, Mosheh due to his own mistakes would not be allowed to enter. This is an eternal type and foreshadow of Messiah Yahuwshuwa who would restore the children of Yisrael in the latter times and bring them into their land yet again. Yahuwshuwa is the Prophet (Nabi) who would be like unto Mosheh, for he knows YaHuWaH face to face.  Yahuwshuwa is the salvation and deliverance of YaHuWaH!  This Torah portion concludes the revelation given to Mosheh, Moses.  This revelation has been confirmed by the rest of the prophets, Messiah Yahuwshuwa and his students.  Let us choose Torah, choose life and walk in the ways of YaHuWaH.

Yahuwshuwa