Devarim 2021
Isaac’s Parsha Corner · 2021
Moshe’s Lament
In the opening Aliyah of the book of Devarim Moshe recalls certain events of the past forty years of desert wandering, “And I said at that time that I could not carry you alone. G-d has increased your multitude; you are like the stars in heaven in number. The G-d of your forefathers shall cause you to increase a thousand times and will bless you as promised. How (EICHA) will I be able to carry you alone, your troubling selves, your burdensome selves and your tendency to argue? (I said to you) Bring forth wise men who understand the nature of the world and are respected and I will place them above you. You answered in the affirmative saying that my idea was good. And I took the heads of tribes, wise men and men well known and placed them over you leaders of thousands, hundreds, and tens and police for each tribe.”
Moshe’s need for assistance is recorded twice in the Chumash. The first is in Parshat Yitro. There Yitro exclaimed “what you Moshe are doing is not good. You will become worn out along with your people. The matter (Hadavar) is too heavy for you and you cannot do it alone”. (Ex 18:17-18) A second time in is found in Parshat Behaalotcha during the story of the complainers (Mitonenim). There Moshe himself declared “I cannot carry the people alone, for it is too heavy for me” (Num 11:14). In the first case Moshe followed Yitro’s advice and appoint the Judges of 10’s, 100’s, and of 1,000’s. In Bamidbar G-d commands that seventy wise men congregate to the tent. There G-d himself transfers power from Moshe onto the seventy. Here in our Parsha Moshe mixes up the two events making them seem as one referring to the judges and to Moshe’s own declaration of his concerns.
The Malbim attempts to reconcile these two events with our Parsha. He suggests that Yitro’s advice was only heeded for the judges and not for political or religious matters. These were held in reserve until later. In the second event Moshe is ready to hand off administration and religious issues to the group of seventy. This is consistent with our idea of the Beit Din Hagadol the court of seventy that convened in Jerusalem. That court is the final word on all religious matters. It is with Moshe’s transfer that he laments. “Eicha” How could it have happened to me. Moshe in next week’s Parsha speaks of his yearning for entrance into the land of Israel. Here he laments his reduced role as conveyer of G-d’s Torah. That is truly a matter for Moshe to lament.
Dedicated to the memory of Joel Shulman A’H and to those who lost their lives in the tragic accident in Miami Florida.