One of the most moving sections of the Tefillot of the Yamim Noraim is the paragraph of Unetaneh Tokef – a prayer that pushes us to contemplate our own mortality. This sobering thought pushes us to reassess our values and behaviour as we enter the new year. How fitting then, that on this Shabbat Shuva, we read the Parsha of Vayelech. Moshe has reached the age of 120 and, as he approaches the last day of his life, he shares a final message with his beloved people.

Within this parting speech, Moshe leaves us with two final Mitzvot. One is the Mitzvah of Hakhel – once in seven years, the entire nation gathers in Jerusalem to hear the words of the Torah and reaffirm their commitment to the covenant. This is a national event – men, women, the elderly, the young all gather for this experience. An experience of unity and inspiration. There is a place for every Jew in Judaism; there’s inspiration for all who seek it.

The other mitzvah is to write a Sefer Torah. How beautiful that the final mitzvah of the Torah is the key to ensuring that the Torah lives on. Whereas Hakhel is a national experience, the act of writing a Sefer Torah is an individual one. When we write, we process and internalise and thereby engrave the words not just on the scroll in front of us, but in the hearts within us. The first letter of the entire Torah is a ‘bet’ for the word Bereishit. The final letter of the entire Torah is a ‘lamed’, the final letter of the word ‘Yisrael’. The lamed and bet make the word ‘lev’ – heart. The Torah should be in our hearts, a living breathing way to live our lives. It was never meant to be just words; it is supposed to live within us. 
As his beloved people look towards entering the promised land without him, Moshe leaves them with a final message of the secret to achieving peace and prosperity. A message that can perhaps help us begin the year of 5786 with hope of a better future.  The first is that of unity. Unity among the people is integral in attaining our goal of devotion to Hashem. When people respect, admire and love each other, they focus on each other’s positive traits. When we look to see how we can help those around us, the ensuing harmony elevates us all. And the second message is writing the Torah on our hearts, sharing it with whoever we are with, committing to living Torah lives wherever we are, singing the song of Torah wherever we go.

May the year of 5786 be one of unity amongst all members of Am Yisrael and one of living lives of commitment to Torah, ensuring it touches our hearts and singing its words wherever we go.

Shana Tova!