Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

The last Parsha in the entire Torah is entitled "V'Zot Ha'Beracha - This is the blessing." In it, Moses offers words of blessing and inspiration to all twelve tribes of Israel. The structure and content are reminiscent of the final words given by Jacob to his children, the progenitors of the twelve tribes, at the end of Sefer Bereishit, the Book of Genesis.

The final Parsha of the Torah is the only portion which is not read in its entirety on a Shabbat. Rather, every year, the entire portion is recited on Simchat Torah and forms a cyclical union as the last and first portions of the Torah are read in unison on Simchat Torah. This year, the beginning of V'Zot Ha'Beracha is read Monday Erev Sukkot. Thus, the final Parsha of the entire Torah will be in our minds, hearts, and souls for the next week and a half.

With the beginning of a new year and the celebrations of Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, I pray that all of us will be a Beracha, a blessing, before God, our  families, and those dear to us. What a wonderful Parsha title by which to conclude the Five Books of the Torah and the entire High Holy Day - Festival season.

Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Howard Morrison