Parsha “Vayelekh” (Deuteronomy (chapter 31) is one of the final chapters in the Torah, and the life of Moses. It includes the ‘charge’ given to Yoshua/Joshua as he prepares to take over leadership of the mixed multitude, to “Kazakh!” – or, “Be strong, and of good courage.”

It’s also a poignant warning about the “End of Days” – arguably, now.

The Erev Shabbat reading begins there, and also sets the stage for the final “Song of Moses”:

During the Sabbath Day midrash, Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa focuses on a prophecy that now seems to be at minimum, ‘in-progress’: “You will do evil in the sight of YHVH, and provoke Him through the work of your hands.”

But it is no coincidence that this portion is read during the time of His Fall Feasts, and we are now – or should be – preparing for the singular moed of His Appointed Times about which He warns so clearly, do it – or else!

Warning: Some will again be offended. They will say His Feasts are ‘old’, and “done away with.” As if He preferred the pagan replacements, and couldn’t manage to say so. YHVH certainly made the reason for His anger, and our continued exile, abundantly clear. And in this case, the warning and importance could not be clearer. Even if we have been lied to about it!

The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash: