Claims Against Moshe

Shavua Tov-

The Gemara in סנהדרין explains why the Torah tells us, “וישמע משה ויפל על פניו,” that Moshe heard and he fell on his face.

Apparently, this became one of the origins of “fake news.” The Korach rebellion crew, spread a rumor that Moshe was involved in numerous affairs with married women.

They claimed that when Moshe pitched his tent outside the camp, he did much more than counsel the women who came to see him.

The basis of their claim was that since Moshe felt he was greater than them, and was filled with גאווה, arrogance, it only makes sense that he would be involved in forbidden matters.

Moshe couldn’t believe the claim and fell on his face. Some say that this was the origin of the תחנון prayer that is also known as נפילת אפיים, falling on our face.

Moshe asked Hashem to create a new form of death to punish the instigators. But the whole incident shows how difficult it is to be a leader of the “stiff necked” Jewish people.