Page 112 - DVARIM
P. 112
4
dvarim
merely learning about the mitzvah. Moshe aspired to do everything in the # 26347-EYAL-6
best way possible. Therefore, he longed to enter the Land and physically
perform the land-related mitzvot. The words “ –Whenyou
hearken to these ordinances” refer to the relatively simple mitzvot which
one tramples with his heel ( ). Moshe told Bnei Yisrael that by being
punctilious even in the seemingly small mitzvot, they would appreciate
their value and perform them to perfection.
“Then Moshe set aside three cities (of refuge).” Moshe was hinting that
if Bnei Yisrael were not careful in their mitzvah performance, Hashem
would remove His supervision from them, and they would sin, albeit
unintentionally, like the unintentional murderer, who was not careful
enough in his mitzvah observance.
How could Hashem deny Moshe the right to enter the Land after he had
dedicated his life for Am Yisrael? Moreover, Hashem told him to cease “Now, O Israel, listen to the decrees and to the
his supplications. Also, why didn’t Moshe suffice with gazing at the Land ordinances that I teach you to perform, so that
from afar, but wanted to see it up close, agreeing to enter even in the form you may live, and you will come and possess the
of a bird? Land that Hashem, the G-d of your forefathers,
Hashem refused Moshe’s request, for He knew it was neither to his benefit gives you”
nor to the benefit of the generation that he enter. Hashem knew that were (Devarim 4:1)
Moshe to enter the Land, he would build the Beit Hamikdash, which
would be indestructible. When Am Yisrael would sin, He would have no
recourse but to cast His wrath upon His children. In His infinite mercy,
He denied Moshe this right. Whatever Hashem does is good, even if we
cannot perceive it as such. Therefore, one must thank Hashem for the
seeming bad as he thanks for the good. No tefillah goes lost; each one
accomplishes great things.
Moshe requested to enter the Land and to see it up close. One cannot
compare the reward for actively doing a mitzvah with the reward for
