Parshas Voeschanan (5768)

Bs”d

Parshas Voeschanan (5768)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The parsha opens with the emotional petitioning of Moshe Rabeinu for the releasing of the ban of his coming to Eretz Yisroel. Moshe Rabeinu asked for a gift rather than being granted his request on the basis of his own merits. It is interesting to speculate whether he could have possibly achieved his goal on the basis of his own merits.

How can we possibly comprehend the connection between Moshe Rabeinu’s punishment of not being able to enter Eretz Yisroel and his hitting of the stone? In the incident of “mai merivah” Moshe was under the impression that he was acting not upon the “special stone” but rather on an undesignated stone, which had its drawback. On the other hand this offers a possible potential of an opportunity of creating a unique fulfillment.

Moshe Rabeinu, our greatest leader and teacher, not entering Eretz Yisroel in reality is appointed to teach a supreme lesson that despite not entering Eretz Yisroel the place designated for spiritual achievement, he can attain great spiritual heights.

Moshe Rabeinu, you chose to act upon the undesignated stone, now you are appointed to teach this lesson for eternity to Klal Yisroel, that one must aim to achieve spiritual heights despite not having the availability of that place which was specifically ordained for that purpose. Accordingly all through the millennia of the dark galus there rose in Klal Yisroel giants in every area of avodas Hashem; a meaningful lesson for us.

Hashem should give us the ultimate of consolation by ending this galus through the coming of Moshiach. Have a wonderful Shabbos.