Torah Study Questions

V'zot Habrachah - And this blessing

Devarim (Deut.) 33:1 - 34:12

Mark R. Ensign, Adot Adonai, Amarillo, Texas

Introductory questions -- Brief answers, not for extended discussion:

1. At what point in history does this parsha unfold?

2. Where does this parsha take place geographically? What are the setting and environment?

3. Who are the primary actors in the parsha and what role or roles does each play? What is the significance of each role? Who are the secondary actors and what roles do they play? What is the significance of their roles?

4. What is the overall theme of this parsha? What are the subdivisions, if any?

Parsha Specific Questions -- for extended discussion:

Chapter 33

V. 1 -- Who was giving these blessings to Bnei Yisrael; Moshe or Adonai? Why did you answer that way? Are these blessings or are they prophecies? What is the distinction? What characteristics of Moshe are demonstrated in this parsha?

Vs. 2 -- Do you think that Adonai offered the Torah to the descendants of Esav and the Ishmaelites and that they rejected it? Why or why not? Were they not descendants of Avraham and did not G-d make his covenant with Avraham and for his descendants? What difference does this make, in any?

Vs. 3 - 5 -- The Torah is described as a "yoke" in the Artscroll Chumash as well as the "heritage" of Ya'acov (Bnei Yisrael). Discuss these two terms in relationship to the Torah. What other biblical references are there to the "yoke"? Are they referring to the Torah? It is customary that two animals are yoked together to pull a load. If you individually are one in the yoke, who would be the yoke-fellow with you? How did Y'shua describe his yoke? What yoke was he referring to? Compare and distinguish between the Torah as "the heritage" and an inheritance.

Vs. 6 - 25 -- Tribe by tribe, read, compare and contrast the blessings of Moshe in the parsha with those of Ya'acov to his sons in B'reshit 49.

Which tribe is omitted from the blessings? Why?

Vs. 26 - 29 -- Read these verses aloud from several different versions. Imagine that you were one of the congregation of Bnei Yisrael who heard these words of Moshe. Describe your response to these, the last words of Moshe to you and your fellow Yisraelites. What are your emotions? Where is your faith? What will you do now? Who will lead you?

Chapter 34

Vs. 1 - 4 -- When Moshe was on top of Mount Nebo, do you think he was able to see physically with his own eyes all the locations and features described here? Why or why not?

Is it possible that Moshe was shown a virtual image, that is one that G-d showed him in his mind and spirit, of the totality of the land to its fullest extent? Why or why not?

As there was no greater prophet than Moshe before Y'shua, do you think that Abba allowed Moshe to see the future of Bnei Yisrael prophetically from this location or through the blessings of the parsha and the prophecies previously presented in Sefer Devarim (the book of Deuteronomy)? Why or why not?

Vs. 5 - 8 -- What was the status of Moshe in relationship to YHVH at his death? Why is that significant? What does it teach us about our relationship to YHVH? What lesson about humility can we learn? Why does no one know where Moshe is buried? How old was Moshe at his death and how was his health described?

Who wrote the remaining verses of the Torah? Explain your answer.

Bnei Yisrael mourned for Moshe for 30 days with tearful mourning. Imagine you were one of the congregation who mourned. Compose a few sentences that summarize Moshe's life and his impact on your life as though it was your eulogy to be read in the time of mourning.

V. 9 -- Why did Bnei Yisrael follow Yehoshua and why was in worthy of being followed?

Vs. 10 - 12 -- Looking back with Messianic spirits, what do we know is wrong with verse 10 and why? What parallels are there between the things YHVH did through Moshe and the greater prophet who came since? What did the later prophet do that caused him to be greater than Moshe?

V. 12 -- ". . . in the eyes of all Yisrael." Discuss the significance of these final words of the Torah as though you were one of Bnei Yisrael who had witnessed these things. Discuss the significance of these words in the life of Torah-observant believers today. Is seeing believing? Are we to walk by sight or by faith? Explain your answer.

Now that we have finished the Torah cycle and have read the final words of the Torah, what will be your response to all the words of Torah, the instructions of our Loving Father? Compose a paragraph that summarizes what the Torah is, what it means to you and what you will do about it in your life?

Closing Questions:

What were G-d's purposes and objectives in preserving this portion of the Scriptures to this day? What benefit do these Scriptures have for Torah observant believers today?

What other insights has the Ruach HaKodesh given you in your study of this portion that you would like to share with the group?

What questions from this portion have you had that have not been answered by the group study?

For personal introspection -- What impact do you think the study of the words from your Father in this portion will have on your life? How do you plan to implement his instructions in this parsha in your life?

Silently ask the Ruach HaKodesh to implant these words of our Father like seeds, to nurture their growth in your heart, and to enable you to respond fully as they do.