When you Choose Shabbat, you learn that every Shabbat is different and special, and this week is truly special indeed. The Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is known as Shabbat Shuvah, or Shabbat of Return, because its special Haftarah reading that begins with the words Shuvah Yisrael “Return O Israel,” from the prophecy of Hoshea.
This week we read from Parashat Vayelech (וַיֵּלֶךְ), the 1st of the weekly Torah portions in the annual cycle of Torah readings for 5786. Vayelech (וַיֵּלֶךְ), Deuteronomy 31:1 through 31:30, contains 5,652 Hebrew letters, 1,484 words, 30 verses and makes up 112 lines of the Torah scroll, giving it the distinction of having the fewest verses of any Parashah in the Torah. In Vayelech, Moses tells the Israelites to be strong and courageous as G-d and Joshua will soon lead them into the Promised Land. The reading also foreshadows the death of Moses.
Rabbi Michael D Klein of Temple Torat Emet offers his insights on this week’s Torah reading, Vayelech for Shabbat Shuvah, September 27, 2025 aka 5 Tishrei 5786:
“The Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is always given a special designation. It is called Shabbat Shuva- translated as “The Sabbath of Repentance” The word Teshuva is a form of the word Shuva which is the first word of the Haftorah that means return. This implies that we have the innate power to review and correct those words and actions which have caused ourselves and others to suffer pain – physical, emotional, and/or monetary. It implies that we have a reset button which is much more powerful than the self-destruct button that many people use too often in making bad choices.
Moses, in his final discourse to the Jewish People, also uses this very idea. He states, “See, I have set before you this day a blessing and a curse, life and death, therefore choose life that you may live, you and your families”. Moses acknowledges our partnership with G-d but also emphasizes that we have the power within each person to make productive, creative, and life-affirming choices with positive consequences. This is a powerful statement and perhaps Moses most positive message before he ascends Mount Nebo to see the Land of Israel before his passing.
May this new year be a year of positive affirmation for each of us- a year of health, happiness, prosperity, and return to the values of Torah and the beautiful traditions of the Torah that bring wholeness and Meaning to our lives.
Shabbat Shalom and Gmar Chatima Tova to all of Us!”
Questions for Discussion:
- How does Sedra represent a preamble to the poetry of Haazinu?
- Why does Moses say “he can no longer go out or come in” even though at his passing it says that he was physically still strong?
- What is Moses final charge to Joshua?
- Why does Moses talk about Hakhel? When does this event occur?
Rabbi Michael D. Klein attended Yeshiva College of South Florida and served as Torah Reader, Hebrew teacher, Chazzan and spiritual leader of various synagogues throughout South Florida. In January 2015 he became Ritual Director, Bnai/Bnot Mitzvah instructor and 7th grade Hebrew instructor for Temple Torat Emet of Boynton Beach. In October 2019 he was accepted into an accelerated track and received his smicha from Yeshiva Adath Wolkowisk and has been the Rabbinic leadership of Temple Torat Emet since August 2020. In September of 2022 he was appointed Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor of the Florida Region of FJMC.
Choose Shabbat; choose to celebrate, to light candles, sing songs and learn a little Torah.
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