The Parve Baker

Va-yelech

The Lord said to Moses: The time is drawing near for you to die. Call Joshua and present yourselves in the Tent of Meeting, that I may instruct him…. - Deuteronomy 31:14

Maimonides teaches that perfect repentance is demonstrated by refraining from repeating a past offense when the opportunity arises, but that even a person who repents only while dying moves God to complete forgiveness.

At the age of one hundred twenty years, Moses tells that the Israelites that the end of his life is near. He reveals that he will not lead them across the Jordan into the Promised Land. God commands him to appear with Joshua, his successor, in the Tent of Meeting. There, God will speak to Joshua directly in his new, elevated role.

The Torah says very little about Moses’ last days. One ancient rabbinic tradition holds that Moses does not easily accept God’s decree that he die in the wilderness. In the hope of extending his life, Moses bargains with God. “Master of the Universe,” he proposes, “let Joshua take over my position and I will continue to live.” God is willing to consider this and replies, “Treat him as he treats you.” Moses gets up early the next day. He goes to Joshua’s house which frightens the younger man. Moses addresses him as, “My teacher,” and walks on his left side as would a disciple. When they enter the Tent of Meeting, God descends as the pillar of cloud and separates them. Moses covets Joshua’s new, exclusive access to the Almighty and cannot resist asking what God revealed to him. Joshua responds, “Did I know what God spoke with you?” Moses immediately recognizes his transgression, bitterly exclaiming, “It is better to die a hundred times than to experience envy even once.” As he repents, Moses finally accepts his coming death. God takes notice and promises that just as he has led the people during lifetime, so too will Moses lead them in the Messianic era. (Deut. Rabbah IX, 9)

In these days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we intensify the examination of our failings during the past year and resolve to do better. We may take comfort in knowing that to the end of his life the greatest prophet of our people could not fully overcome the impulse that leads all human beings astray. Just as Moses repented and was rewarded, so too may we be forgiven and like Joshua, Be strong and resolute (Deut 31:7, 23) going forward.