Near the End | Rabbi Berel Wein | Beit Midrash

Torah Portion and Tanach
Vayelech

קטגוריה משנית

Our teacher Moshe is described in the Parsha as being near the end of his life in this world. Yet, the Torah also describes his last days on earth as being vigorous, healthy, while continuing to teach and guide the people of Israel, as he had done for the past 40 years. The Torah itself testifies that even on the last days of life in this world, he was able to climb mountains, and gather the Jewish people at his feet to continue the process of accepting the covenant which guarantees the eternity and future of Israel.

He is not to be judged as an ordinary human being. That is certainly true spiritually where he ranks as the greatest of prophets and the supreme lawgiver in all human experience. But it is also true that physically he did not suffer the usual fate of human beings who age and lose much of their original vitality and influence.

The ravages of time are pretty much inescapable for all of us ordinary human beings. The Torah never records for us that Moshe "missed a day" at work because of fatigue or illness. Rather, he ranks above ordinary mortals in his physical prowess that did not diminish even in the days before he died. At the end of his life, the Torah itself says that his vision never faltered, nor did his physical condition wither or deteriorate.

In all respects. we must view him as the miracle man of all ages. The Torah indeed records the physical ailments and deteriorating eyesight of our patriarchs Isaac and Jacob. But when it comes to Moshe, none of these physical problems appear to affect him.

Yet, Moshe is but a mortal human being. He does not escape from the eventual fate of all creatures who come into this world. There is long series of comments that appear in Midrash where even Moshe's soul that resides within his body, pleads with heaven that the removal of the body and soul relationship does not occur.

It apparently suffices that Moshe is active and vital in his final moment on earth. This fact is highlighted by the word that depicts him as going and walking even in is final days and testifies to this unnatural natural wonder associated with him in his life. In spirit and knowledge, Moshe remains with us even today, even after the events described in this week's reading of the Torah. Perhaps that is also included in the idea that no one knows the actual place where Moshe is buried. It is part of his eternal legacy of life and perpetual accomplishment, that there are no markers or monuments to depict where his remains lie. We can, therefore, truly say that Moshe still walks amongst the Jewish people.