Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi David Cohen
Moshe went and spoke these words to all of Yisrael. (31:1)
The Midrash Tanchuma says, “The word Vayelech means rebuke.” Apparently, Moshe Rabbeinu went to all of the tribes to bid them farewell. His farewell was couched in reproach, in which he informed the people of their shortcomings. Where in the pasuk is this indicated? It seems that all Moshe told them was that he had reached the age of 120 years old, that he was no longer able to “go out and come in,” and that he was not going to enter into Eretz Yisrael. But how is that a rebuke?
The Ibn Ezra writes that Moshe went to each tribe to notify the people of his impending death.
There is essentially no greater form of rebuke than notifying people of one’s mortality. When the people saw that their leader, the man who spoke “face to face” with the Hashem, was going to die – what should they have said? When one confronts his own mortality, he is humbled, as well as frightened. If that is not rebuke – what is?
Let us keep this in mind when we face the other Yom H’Din next week, Yom Kippur.
Shabbat Shalom and G’Mar Chatimah Tovah.