Vaetchanan 2021
Isaac’s Parsha Corner · 2021
Moshe’s Yearning
The Parsha continues Moshe’s rebuke of Israel. The rebuke takes an interesting turn in the first few verses. Moshe shares with the people his most personal disappointment. He shares his attempts to convince G-d to allow him to enter the land of Israel. He reports that this desire is not based on any need to lead or on any desire to complete his mission. His desire is merely to gaze upon the land, the holy mountain and the holy temple. He is rebuffed by G-d, but not because of sin but rather as Moshe reports “Because of you”- Lemaanchem. Unkulus Sadia and Rashi all translate “Lemaanchem” on account of something you did. Moshe is rebuking Israel that it is their fault the he himself is being denied permission to enter the land. In last week’s Parsha Moshe describes the sin of the spies and the consequences. There Moshe says that no one other than Caleb of that generation would be allowed in to the land. There Moshe said,”I also was the recipient of G-d’s wrath ‘because of you’ - Biglalchem to say that you also will not go there.” According to Unkulus and Sadia and Rashi the terms Biglalchem and Lemaanchem have the exact same meaning. Actually the usual translation of Lemaanchem is “on your behalf” not “because of you”. (Chizkuni and Sfornu translate it that way).
In both instances the next pasuk is about Joshua. Moshe tells the people that although I am not going Joshua will go, he will lead you. Joshua along with Caleb will enter the land because they stood up to the mob. They have separated themselves from the others. Following the sin of the golden calf Moshe committed himself to the people saying “forgive the people and if not erase me from your book”. There Moshe has declared that his fate will be bound up in the fate of the people. This tying of common destiny is recorded by Ruth. She famously declared to Naomi “Do not urge me to leave you to turn back and not to follow you. For wherever you go I will go; where you lodge I will lodge; your people are my people, and your G-d is my G-d. Where you die I will die and there I will be buried.” Ruth 1:16-17. Moshe the great leader and teacher declared that he won’t be entering the land both for you and because of you. Moshe has declared “I committed myself to you. I now will pay the ultimate price for that commitment.”
Dedicated to the memory of Joel Shulman A’H