Parshas Vayelech 5786 – Be Strong and Courageous
Sendy Freud
We’ve just come out of the powerful days of Rosh Hashana, when we crowned Hashem as King and reminded ourselves that every breath of life is a gift. The shofar shook us awake, urging us to look beyond routine and reconnect to our deepest purpose.
Now we stand in the days leading up to Yom Kippur — the holiest day of the year, a time of reflection, teshuva, and closeness to Hashem. It is a reminder that no matter where we stand spiritually, no matter how far we may feel, Hashem opens the door wide for us to return. Yom Kippur is not about guilt — it is about opportunity. Opportunity to realign, to start fresh, and to discover the greatness within ourselves.
This week’s parsha, Vayeilech, gives us a powerful message: Moshe Rabbeinu tells the people, “Chizku v’imtzu” — “Be strong and courageous.” As the Jewish people prepared to face the challenges of entering the Land, Moshe reassured them that Hashem would never abandon them. The Torah reminds us that even in times of uncertainty or fear, Hashem walks with us.
When we think about the current situation in Israel, with so many of our brothers and sisters facing danger and living under constant tension, Moshe’s words ring especially true. ”Chizku v’imtzu” — we need strength, and we need courage. But above all, we need to know that Hashem is with us, and that our tefillos, our mitzvos, and our unity as a people truly make a difference.
So what do we take from all this as we head toward Yom Kippur? Each of us has the chance to bring light into the world — with one more mitzvah, one more tefillah, one more act of kindness. We don’t need to change everything at once. If we can take just one step closer to Hashem, it has ripple effects not only in our own lives but for the entire Jewish people.
May these days of awe inspire us to strengthen our connection to Hashem, to support our brothers and sisters in Israel, and to carry forward the message of courage, faith, and unity. In that merit, may we all be sealed in the Book of Life for a year of peace, health, and blessing.
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