Saying Good-by to Moshe Rabbeinu

The last commandment Moshe Rabbeinu received before his death, was to take revenge against Midyan. They brought about the plague that killed 24,000 Jews, and they needed to be punished.

Moshe took one thousand soldiers from each of the twelve tribes to fight this battle against מדין. There is a Midrash that says that this army did not want to go out and fight. They knew that after this battle, they would have to part ways with their beloved leader.

Moshe was surprised by this reaction as the Jews in the desert caused him a great deal of grief. He once said to Hashem, עוד מעט וסקלוני, “Very soon, they will stone me!” They were a stiff necked people, and now they don’t want to have to say good- by to him.

Rabbi Twerski explained how this behavior was understandable. He told the story of Rav Yoel Sirkis, who had a great deal of aggravation from his community. On his deathbed, many of his antagonizers, came to visit him. He asked, “Now you come to me respectfully?” They answered that they loved him like עם ישראל loved Moshe. They explained that if they caused their rabbi anguish, it was because he showed no favoritism, and he rebuked them regularly.

At that time, they didn’t like it and resisted disrespectfully. But they knew in their hearts, that their rabbi loved them, and deeply cared. This is why they humbly part ways, because they now understand and appreciate the special leader they had.

This is a beautiful explanation as to how Moshe was treated. A true leader must stand up for what is right. It may not make him popular, but in the end, he will be respected for leading in the proper way.