Date: September 30th 2022

Parshas Vayelech contains the remarks that Moshe gave to the Jewish people on the last day of his life. He begins his comments by saying “I am one hundred and twenty years today and can no longer go out and come in.” (31:2). The Commentary of Rashi explains the meaning of these words was that Moshe was telling the Jews that the traditions and wellsprings of Torah wisdom were closed to him.”

The Commentary of Sifsei Chachamim further explains Rashi’s words. “The was so that he should not be pained by the fact that greatness was taken from him and given to Yehoshua. For since the wellsprings of wisdom were taken from him, why would he want to live?”

This interpretation of Rashi seems hard to understand. Once Yehoshua was the leader, why did it matter whether Moshe’s wisdom remained intact? Either way, Yehoshua was the leader and not Moshe. Why would being deprived of Torah understanding diminish Moshe’s pain over losing his leadership?

In truth, had Moshe lived, he might have served as a “Rabbi Emeritus” of the Jews. Moreover, he would have been able to continue serving Hashem in his own personal way and could continue observing the mitzvos. Moshe had served as the leader for 40 years, a task which required a tremendous amount of dedication and effort. He faced incredible challenges and obstacles throughout his tenure as leader. Presumably, he could have enjoyed some time to lead a quiter life suffused with meaning, fulfilment, and service to Hashem despite having diminished powers of understanding Torah. Nevertheless, Rashi maintains that “Since the wellsprings of wisdom were taken from him, why would he want to live?”
Apparently, Moshe felt that having his level of Torah knowledge and understanding was so integral to life itself that being deprived of it would remove his purpose to live any longer. The study of Torah is one of the 613 mitzvos. However, the Mishna states that the study of Torah is equal to all the other mitzvos combined. We see from this Rashi a depiction of how far this concept goes. For a person who is truly engaged in the study of Torah and understands its significance, the loss of his level of Torah study is akin to losing the purpose to continue living.
Each person has a unique set of circumstances and abilities. As such, each individuals purpose in this world is unique to them and their responsibility to study Torah is different from anyone else. However, if we have a greater appreciation for the impact living a life of Torah study has on our lives it can serve as a motivation to maintain our level of study and always continue to strive for ever higher levels of attainment.


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