Parshas Vayeilech for Kids

פרשת וילך

Moshe at a hundred and twenty hands the leadership to Yehoshua, writes the Torah down and gives it to the kohanim, and commands Hakhel - the whole nation gathered to hear it read.

In a Torah Tale book, your own child is the hero of this story - drawn from their photo, on every page, in their own name. Written under rabbinical guidance with strict tznius, printed and shipped to your door in English, Hebrew or Yiddish.

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What happens in Parshas Vayeilech

Moshe Rabbeinu tells the people that he is one hundred and twenty years old today and will not cross the Yarden. Rashi explains that Hashem completes the years of tzaddikim exactly, to the very day. In front of all Bnei Yisrael, Moshe tells Yehoshua to be strong and brave, for Hashem will go before him.

Moshe writes the Torah and gives it to the kohanim and the elders. He commands the mitzvah of Hakhel: once every seven years, on Sukkos, the whole nation, men, women, and children, gathers in Yerushalayim to hear the Torah read. Chazal ask why even the little children came, and answer that the parents receive reward for bringing them. The last mitzvah in the Torah is found here, for every Jew to write a Sefer Torah. This parsha is usually read on Shabbos Shuvah, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Lessons and middos for children

  • Encouraging others

    Moshe told Yehoshua, be strong and brave. We can encourage a friend who is nervous about something new.

  • Respect for a Sefer Torah

    Every Jew has a mitzvah to write a Sefer Torah. We can stand up when the Sefer Torah passes by in shul.

  • Bringing children to Torah

    At Hakhel even the youngest children came to hear. We can come to shul and listen to the Torah reading too.

Questions for the Shabbos table

  1. What did Moshe Rabbeinu tell Yehoshua when he passed on the leadership?
  2. Why do you think even little children came to Hakhel?
  3. How old was Moshe Rabbeinu on that day?
  4. When a friend is scared to try something new, what could you say to help?

How your child steps into the story

Your child is there when Moshe Rabbeinu places his hands of leadership on Yehoshua, and helps the young children find a spot where they can see and hear. The book closes with the people waiting for Moshe's song in Parshas Haazinu.