Parashat Vayelech continues Moses’ long address to the Israelites as his role as a leader draws to a close. This portion includes a transition of power: Moses announces that God has appointed Joshua to succeed him and guide the Israelites across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. Like other instances of leadership and succession in the Torah, this highly choreographed and pre-ordained transfer of power contrasts with the messiness of liberal democracy, for leaders serving in and out of elected office. Civil rights leader Bob Moses touched on this subject in his 1964 speech at Stanford University.
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