In this week’s Parsha, Vayeilech, Moshe begins his parting words to his dear people on his final day in this world. We can only imagine the feelings of concern and perhaps even fear that fill the minds of the people. Their beloved leader who took them out of Egypt and crossed the Red Sea and saved them from HaShem’s wrath on numerous occasions, who brought down the Manna and the protective clouds and the running stream of water from the rock is about to depart forever. Their destiny lies on the other side of the Jordan River and the daunting task of conquering mighty kings is on their minds. How will they manage without Moshe? How will they meet the challenge without Moshe?
Moshe as well recognizes the fear that rests in everyone’s heart. Perhaps this is what motivated Moshe to open his final speech. “Moshe said to the people, ‘Today I am 120 years old and I am no longer able to lead and HaShem has told me that I may not cross the Jordan River. HaShem your G.D, it is He Who will lead you, it is He Who will destroy the nations before you. Yehoshua (Moshe’s successor) will lead you as HaShem as instructed. And HaShem will do to them (the Canaanite kings) as He did to the kings of the Emorites… Be strong and be firm, do not fear them because HaShem your G.D goes with you. He will not weaken His guidance and will not forsake you.”
Take note how Moshe first states that it is HaShem who will lead them and the next moment he states that it is Yehoshua who will lead them. The understanding is that it is HaShem who will lead them and who will destroy the kings and Yehoshua will lead only because HaShem instructed him to stand at the head. The implication is that their trust should be placed in HaShem as it is He who will lead them and who will win their wars. And their respect should be given to Yehoshua as he is the appointed leader.
Moshe, the leader whom the people have grown to trust and cling to his every word is giving the most uplifting encouragement. His message to his people is ‘Until today you looked to me for your direction and it was in me where you placed your hope. Now, with my passing you will no longer have me to be your support. You will no longer be able to count on my advocacy for I am passing now. From here on in, HaShem will lead you and in Him shall you place your hope. And although Yehoshua will lead, he is but a figurehead appointed by HaShem. His words you shall obey as being the representative of HaShem’s will but do not place your trust in him.’
It is in this context that Moshe adds “Be strong and be firm, do not fear them because HaShem your G.D goes with you. He will not weaken His guidance and will not forsake you.” These words were intended for all the subsequent generations who followed Yehoshua who were not in attendance when Moshe spoke these words. To these subsequent generations Moshe extends his uplifting encouragement by saying that there is no need to fear. HaShem will never weaken His guidance nor will He forsake us.
The Talmud presents a contradiction. In one place the Torah states that HaShem is close to His people whenever they call out to Him. In another place the Torah states that we should call out to HaShem when He is close. The implication is that that He is close only at certain times. Our Sages teach us that there is a distinction between HaShem’s relationship with His nation as a community and His relationship with His nations as individuals. Whenever the community calls out to Him He is always close. However, with respect to the individual there is only a designated time when He is close to their call. That time is our current period in which we find ourselves, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
How appropriate it is that in this week of closeness during which HaShem pays attention to the call of every Jew as if they were the entire community, Moshe’s words are delivered. We are reminded by his eternal words that HaShem is always guiding and He will never forsake us.
Let us grab the few days that are left for us to turn to our Father Who cares so much for every one of us and pour our needs to Him and expect Him to pay attention even if we speak as individuals who are not connected to the community.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind