Misreading the Situation

The episode of Moshe hitting the rock, requires some perspective. The incident occurred shortly after the death of Miriam, the older sister of Moshe and Aharon. In her merit, the Jews in the desert had an abundance of water. It was a daily miracle, that they took for granted. There is even an opinion that there were small rivers that served as borders between the tribes. If someone wanted to visit someone else from another tribe, he needed to get there in a small, canoe like boat.

Moshe and Aharon were busy preparing for their beloved sister’s funeral, when a multitude of Jews came to meet them. At first, Moshe thought that they were coming to offer their condolences. They were greatly disappointed to learn that they had come to complain, not only for lack of water, but for being tired of eating the Manna, that they described in a distasteful manner.

When Hashem told Moshe to speak to the rock to bring water, he thought that the Jewish people were not worthy of a miracle.

Hashem felt it was necessary to show a great miracle. It was pretty clear that they were in the fortieth year of their stay in the desert. They needed to be shown the “Hand of G-d.” It was even intended that the 600,000 Jews be contained in a very small area adjacent to the rock. This was meant to give a glimpse towards the future miracle in the Temple when large numbers of Jews stood side by side, but had room to bow before Hashem.

Moshe and Aharon clearly misread the situation and Moshe allowed himself to succumb to his anger.

They were not allowed to enter Eretz Yisrael as a punishment for not sanctifying Hashem’s name. It is certainly challenging to be a leader in Israel. In this unfortunate incident, Moshe and Aharon did not meet the challenge.