How many times did Moses plead with G-d that our transgressions be forgiven and G-d responded positively in our favor. And now in the hour of his need Moses tells us that he has pleaded with G-d, but to no avail, G-d has denied his request.
Can we stand idly by while someone, pleads for their life? And yes, Moses is pleading for his life by asking for forgiveness and requesting permission to enter the land. Actually Moses has already petitioned G-d for himself, and only informing us at this time of the result of his request. But what do we care, we who are about to receive that which G-d promised our forbearers. We are but a few steps away from obtaining the goal for which we have waited for oh so long to obtain "to enter the promised land". Do we risk taking the chance of losing everything ourselves in order to help Moses? Can we change this decree? Should we even try? If Moses could not get it changed, what chance do we have? If we do try what method should we employ? Should we demand that either Moses goes or none of us goes and risk another 40 years? Or should we pray that after 3000 years, G-d will extend mercy to our request and forgive Moses?
How often does a good person or a leader (also a good person but may not be perceived in this fashion) in the community, do a mitzvah for someone or the community, sometimes in response to a request for action and sometimes out of the goodness of their heart. But, after a period of time the action or mitzvah is forgotten only to be replaced by a new need. Time after time these people perform mitzvot for the community that eventually it becomes expected. Then the mitzvot are no longer perceived as mitzvot but duties. These people must perform these mitzvot for the community "it's their job". How quickly we forget all this good that was performed on our behalf until someone, or something reminds us of these favors.
This process is true even for mitzvot performed at a more personal level. Can I borrow a pencil, a cup of sugar, a cup of flour, mind if I use your tools, can you give me a hand it'll only take a second. All of these little items add up, hours, days, years, pounds, bushels, baskets. But since the items are so trivial they can easily be forgotton by the receiver and also by the performer.
Whose responsibility is it to remember a favor/mitzvah performed? The receiver? The performer?
Most of B'nai Israel are good people, and most good people remember a favor performed on their behalf by someone else. We all like to think of ourselves as good people and we all like to do favors for others (so long as it is a small favor). Most of the time we forget about the mitzvot that we have performed (accept maybe the "big" ones). When someone does something for us "good" people we almost never need them to remind us, and we are always ready to do a favor in return. But sometimes we need to be reminded, and it only takes one reminder, well maybe two but never three and certainly never four.
This reference to Moses's need occurrs three times in the Torah, yes, three times, three reminders(1). Actually there is a fourth reminder (2), but it is sort on indirect, because it refers to Aaron who was also included in this punishment for their actions at the "waters of Meribah".
I think what the Torah is trying to do is tell us that we can do something for Moses, for all the times that he has interceded with G-d on our behalf we now have an opportunity to interceded with G-d on his behalf, but there is a catch "this favor must be performed by all of us, "B'nai Israel". Since Moses interceded for the good of all of us, the only way we are going to get G-d to lift this ban for Moses and Aaron, is for "all" of us to pray. I know it is virtually impossible to get a concensus for "all" but maybe G-d will accept slightly greater than 50% of "all". Remember it's not the size of the effort employed that is rewarded, but the size of the intent, when performing mitzvot.
What really intrigues me is, was this opportunity available at the time Moses informed us, and has it really been available all these years but we have been too blind to understand Moses's predicament?
May G-d grant all of us awareness of the needs of others before the window of need closes, giving us the opportunity to fulfill our missions before we or they return to the source of all Life.
Notes: You may need to be able to read Hebrew to fully understand the reference associations because the English translations are almost identical. 1. The three times that Moses refers to himself in relation to permission to enter the land are: Devarim 1:37 Also with me was Adonai filled with anger... Devarim 3:26 But, G-d forbid me to cross over.. Devarim 4:21 And the L-rd had anger for me... Note: I tried to literally translate Devarim 3:26 since most chumashim seem to include anger into the translation, but the Hebrew makes no mention of anger. 2. The fourth reference was: Devarim 9:20 Moreover the L-rd was very angry with Aaron... Note: This reference actually was about the golden calf incident, but the Hebrew word used for anger was "Hit'a'nayf" the same used in verses Devarim 1:37 and 4:21. So, by searching on the Hebrew this verse reminded me of Aaron's (the quiet peace loving type of person who do not speak for themselves) involvement and need.
Adonai imachem" (The Lord be with all of you)
Achan Ben Avraham
*************************************************************** ** David Mata email: dmata@cup.hp.com ** ** Zedek Zedek Tirdof ** ***************************************************************