Shabbos Parashas Vaeschanan - 5776
Shabbos Parashas Vaeschanan - 5776
Rabbi Hal Miller
I implored Hashem at that time, saying," [Devarim 3:23]
Why does Moshe spend the last portion of chapter 3, the last seven verses, telling
the people that G-d did not answer his prayer? It would seem counterproductive, to
tell the people who are about to lose their leader and go to war, that G-d does not
always answer prayers. Why does he do so at this point, since by his own words,
Moshe is referring to something that occurred at some other point in time?
One rather simplistic answer, albeit valid, is that "G-d does answer all prayers, but
sometimes the answer is no." We could generalize on this and note that there is a
greater purpose in the universe than that which we individuals humans may wish for.
While these are good reasons for Moshe telling the people about not getting what he
wanted from G-d, this approach doesn't really address our questions.
The "at that time" incident was the striking of the rock when obtaining water, although
we can see the same effect from similar incidents during the 40 years. The rock incident
had to do with the 'now' -- people needed water to live right then and there. The story of
the battle against Sichon and Og, while opening the gates to the promised land, was
still about dealing with there here and now--these nations were arrayed for war against
the people of Israel.
At the times of these incidents, Moshe's prayer to be allowed to enter the land was not
made clear, so perhaps he was clarifying that to the people now. But why at this juncture?
These incidents were about the present. Prayers would be understood in the context of
the present. Had Moshe explained to the people his prayers at the time of these incidents,
it would have been understood in the context of asking G-d's help in something to do with
the survival in the desert,.
Now, in our parsha, the context has changed. The people are about to cross the Jordan
and actually take possession of the land. Prayers now are in the context of the future,
in the ownership and settling of the land.
Had Moshe told the people then, the context would have been with regard to winning a war.
Now, the context is instilling Moshe's love of the land into the hearts of his nation.