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Deuteronomy 31:24 - Moshe completes Torah scroll

Deuteronomy 31:24 - דברים 31:24

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי כְּכַלּוֹת מֹשֶׁה לִכְתֹּב אֶת־דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה־הַזֹּאת עַל־סֵפֶר עַד תֻּמָּם׃

English Translation

And it came to pass, when Moshe had made an end of writing the words of this Tora in a book, until they were finished,

Transliteration

Vay'hi k'chalot Moshe lichtov et-divrei haTorah-hazot al-sefer ad tumam.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְהִ֣י <b>׀</b> כְּכַלּ֣וֹת מֹשֶׁ֗ה לִכְתֹּ֛ב אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַתּוֹרָֽה־הַזֹּ֖את עַל־סֵ֑פֶר עַ֖ד תֻּמָּֽם׃
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ כְּכַלּ֣וֹת מֹשֶׁ֗ה לִכְתֹּ֛ב אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַתּוֹרָֽה־הַזֹּ֖את עַל־סֵ֑פֶר עַ֖ד תֻּמָּֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Completion of the Torah Scroll

The verse (Devarim 31:24) describes Moshe completing the writing of the Torah in a scroll. Rashi explains that this refers to Moshe writing the entire Torah from Bereishit until this point, including the book of Devarim, which he wrote at Hashem's command. The phrase "עַד תֻּמָּם" ("until they were finished") emphasizes that Moshe wrote every word meticulously without omission.

The Significance of Writing the Torah

Rambam (Hilchot Sefer Torah 7:1) derives from this verse the mitzvah for every Jew to write a Torah scroll. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 21b) discusses how Moshe wrote 13 Torah scrolls—one for each tribe and one placed in the Ark of the Covenant—ensuring the Torah's preservation.

The Finality of Moshe’s Transmission

The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 9:9) teaches that this moment marked the completion of Torah transmission to Israel. The phrase "כְּכַלּוֹת מֹשֶׁה" ("when Moshe had made an end") signifies that no further prophecy could add or detract from the written Torah.

Halachic Implications

  • The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 613) connects this verse to the prohibition of adding or subtracting from Torah commandments.
  • The Ramban notes that Moshe wrote the Torah in the 70 languages of the nations (based on Talmud Sotah 32a), demonstrating its universal wisdom.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 99a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the completion of the Torah by Moses and its implications for the study and transmission of Torah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that Moshe finished writing the words of the Torah?
A: This verse (Devarim 31:24) describes Moshe completing the writing of the entire Torah as dictated by Hashem. According to Rashi, this refers specifically to the Sefer Torah that Moshe wrote and gave to the Levites (Devarim 31:26). The Rambam (Hilchot Sefer Torah 7:1) explains this was the master copy from which all future Torah scrolls would be written.
Q: Why is it significant that Moshe wrote the Torah in a book?
A: The writing of the Torah in book form (as a Sefer Torah) ensured its preservation for future generations. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 21b) teaches that Moshe wrote 13 Torah scrolls - one for each tribe and one placed in the Ark. This shows the importance of both communal and individual access to Torah learning.
Q: What can we learn from Moshe completing the Torah?
A: We learn the importance of completing our sacred tasks with dedication. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 9:5) notes that Moshe didn't stop writing until 'they were finished' (עד תמם) - teaching us to see our Torah commitments through to completion. This applies today in our own Torah study and mitzvah observance.
Q: How does this verse connect to Simchat Torah when we finish reading the Torah?
A: Just as Moshe completed writing the Torah (as described in this verse), we complete reading the Torah each year on Simchat Torah. The Sforno explains that the completion of the Torah was a momentous occasion, just as we celebrate completing the Torah cycle each year. This shows the living, eternal nature of Torah study.
Q: What does 'until they were finished' teach us about the Torah?
A: The phrase 'until they were finished' (עד תמם) teaches that the Torah is complete and perfect. As the Ramban explains, nothing can be added or subtracted from the Torah (Devarim 13:1). This principle guides Orthodox Jewish belief in the eternal, unchanging nature of the Written Torah given at Sinai.