VE-ZOT HA-BRAKHAH

This song then was taught to the host by Moshe and Hoshea together
Till they had it by heart and perfected, and so for the journey before them
Were strengthened and guarded by truth. Moshe saw the time come to gather
His strength for a last gift of grace. He looked on each tribe, and its portent
Appeared on his inner horizon. He prayed that Reuven might not dwindle,
That Yehudah should stand against foes, that Levi be loved for his service,
That Zevulun should prosper in trade, and wisdom with Yissachar indwell,
That Asher be happy in children, Ephraim have bountiful harvest.
Then he turned, the servant of G-d, Moshe, and ascended the mountain,
And G-d let him see all the land, from the south to the northernmost border,
From past to far future, a river of stories complex past expressing,
With all of the teachers who’d come to draw from Torah’s fiery fountain
True words that would counsel the people to live in G-d’s life-giving order
That’s kept in the changing and whole in the breaking. And this is the blessing.