From: CFRQC@CUNYVM.BITNET (ToraByte)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish
Subject: A Byte Of Torah I,XLIII Vayeilech
Date: 1 Oct 92 03:33:09 GMT
Organization: City University of New York/ University Computer Center


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                                     A                                   BS"D
   Volume I                       B Y T E     The Electronic
     Issue XLIII                    O F          Torah Weekly
                                 T O R A H
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 ----                    Editor : Zev S. Itzkowitz                       ----
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                           Dvar Torah of the Week
                           ----------------------

"And he (Moses) said to them. One hundred and twenty years old I am today. I
can no longer go out and come in, and Hashem said to me: you are not to cross
the Jordan." (Deuteronomy 31:2)

 This verse is puzzling. What did Moses mean by, "One hundred and twenty years
old I am today"? This day was the day of his death (Rashi, Rabbeinu Bachya).
However, this day was also the day of his birth. He thus lived to a complete
one hundred and twenty years (Rabbeinu Bachya).
 What does Moses mean by, "I can no longer go out and come in"? He cannot
possibly be referring to a physical disability, because "his eyes did not dim,
nor did his natural force diminish" (see Deuteronomy 34:7). Rather, Moses is
alluding to something else. One, Hashem told Moses that he is not permitted
to cross the Jordan River (Rashi). Thus, Hashem transferred the mantle of
leadership from Moses to Joshua. Two, the wells of wisdom and law were closed
off from Moses (Baal HaTurim, Ramban, Rashi). These too were granted to
Joshua, so that he would be able to lead the people (Keli Yakar).


                             Mussar of the Week
                             ------------------

"And Moses went and he spoke the following words ... One hundred and twenty
years old I am today ..." (Deteronomy 31:1)

 This verse is mystifying. Where did Moses go? Moses went among the Children
of Israel to strengthen their resolve (Keli Yakar) and to let them know of his
imminent death (Ibn Ezra), as this was the last day of his life (Rashi). Moses
also completed the transcription of the Bible from Hashem on this day (see
Deuteronomy 31:19,24). This is in addition to the many other items that Moses
did as recorded in the last part of the Bible. Why did he do all of this on
his last day of life? Moses wanted to show that people should not rest upon
their laurels, even though they are deserving of them. People should continue
to strive to greater heights and accomplish the most that they possibly can,
even until the end.

I wish you all a G'mar Chasimah Tovah, and a meaningful fast.

Please direct any comments, questions, etc. back to me here at CFRQC@CUNYVM,
or on internet CFRQC@cunyvm.cuny.edu. Please pass it on to a friend. If you
want to subscribe, please send e-mail to listserv@israel.nysernet.org
with the msg: SUB bytetorah <first name> <last name>.  --Zev Itzkowitz
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish