Deuteronomy 33:1-33:12

This reading is from the final portion of the Torah, read on Simchat Torah. The holiday begins at sundown, October 9, and lasts till sundown, October 10. This is the blessing with which Moses, the man of God, bade the Israelites farewell before he died. He said: The Lord came from Sinai; He shone upon them from Seir; He appeared from Mount Paran, And approached from Ribeboth-kodesh, Lightning flashing at them from His right. Lover, indeed, of the people, Their hallowed are all in Your hand. They followed in Your steps, accepting Your pronouncements, when Moses charged us with the Teaching as the heritage of the congregation of Jacob. Then He became King in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people assembled, the tribes of Israel together. May Reuben live and not die, though few be his numbers. And this he said of Judah: Hear, O Lord the voice of Judah and restore him to his people. Though his own hands strive for him, help him against his foes. And of Levi he said: Let Your Thummim and Urim be with Your faithful one, Whom You tested at Massah, challenged at the waters of Meribah; who said of his father and mother, "I consider them not." His brothers he disregarded, ignored his own children. Your precepts alone they observed, and kept Your covenant. They shall teach Your laws to Jacob and Your instructions to Israel. They shall offer You incense to savor and whole-offerings on Your altar. Bless, O Lord, his substance, and favor his undertakings. Smite the loins of his foes; let his enemies rise no more. Of Benjamin he said: Beloved of the Lord, He rests securely beside Him; ever does He protect him, as he rests between His shoulders.