Moshe’s Anger

Parshat חוקת speaks of the sin of Moshe and Aharon hitting the rock, instead of speaking to it.

Rabbi Elie Munk in his קול התורה, implies an interesting background to what may have led up to this tragic sin.

He reminds us that the lack of water was due to Miriam’s death. In her merit, the באר מרים, Miriam’s well, traveled with the Jewish people in the desert. When she died, there was no more water. (Some say that the well could be found in Lake Kinneret, in a sieve like manner.

When the masses of people came to Moshe and Aharon, they initially thought the people were coming to comfort them as brothers mourning for their beloved sister. When they saw that they had no regard for their personal suffering, but came to complain about lack of water, it could have been viewed as demeaning.

Perhaps this explains Moshe’s anger, when he hit the rock. The Rambam claims that the essence of the sin, was Moshe’s anger. But while it was understandable why he was so angry, he still should not have given in to it.

People who serve the public are often overlooked as human beings with feelings. They are expected to be there for everyone and they are not entitled to have the normal emotions that everyone else has. Moshe and Aharon were no different. They no doubt loved their sister, but were not able to mourn for her.

Instead, they succumbed to the pressure of leading, and answered angrily. Because this anger was not controlled, and they were prevented from entering Eretz Yisrael.