Shevi’i
- Moshe is shown the land of Israel and the future times:
- Moshe ascended from the plains of Moav to the summit of the mountain of Navo. Hashem showed him the entire land, from Gilad until Dan, Naftali and the land of Ephraim and Menasheh, the entire land of Yehuda until the western sea [and until the last day of the resurrection]. He showed him the south and the valley of Yericho, the city of date palms, as far as Tzoar.
- Hashem told Moshe that this is the land that was promised to Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov be given to their descendants. You saw it with your eyes but you will not enter there.
- Moshe passes away:
- Moshe the servant of Hashem passed away in the land of Moav by the mouth of Hashem.
- The burial: Hashem buried him in the gorge of the land and no one is aware of his burial place until this very day.
- His age: Moshe was 120 years of age at his passing. His eye did not dim, and his moisture did not leave him.
- The mourning: The Jewish people mourned Moshe’s passing in the plains of Moav for thirty days.
- Yehoshua the new leader: Yehoshua Ben Nun was filled with wisdom, as Moshe leaned his hands on him and the Jewish people listened to him and followed the instructions Hashem commanded Moshe.
- None like Moshe: There has never been a prophet amongst the Jewish people like Moshe to whom Hashem had made Himself known face to face. For all the miracles and wonders which Hashem sent him to perform in Egypt, against Pharaoh and his servants, and all his land, and for all the miracles that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Israel.
Q&A on Rashi
Parsha Bee – Devarim 34:1–12 (Rashi)
- From where did Moshe ascend before his death?
Answer: From the plains of Moav to Mount Nevo. - How did Moshe ascend the mountain according to Rashi?
Answer: He covered many levels in a single step. - What did Hashem show Moshe from the mountain?
Answer: The entire Land of Israel. - Besides the land itself, what else did Hashem show Moshe?
Answer: Its future tranquility and its future oppressors. - What did Hashem show Moshe in the territory of Dan?
Answer: The future idolatry of Dan. - Which judge from the tribe of Dan did Moshe see?
Answer: Shimshon. - What did Moshe see in the territory of Naftali?
Answer: Deborah and Barak fighting Sisera. - What did Moshe see in the territory of Ephraim?
Answer: Yehoshua conquering the kings of Canaan. - What did Moshe see in the territory of Menasheh?
Answer: Gideon fighting Midian and Amalek. - What did Moshe see in the territory of Yehudah?
Answer: The kingdom of the House of David and its victories. - What is the “western sea”?
Answer: The Mediterranean Sea. - What is Rashi’s second explanation of “until the western sea”?
Answer: Until the last day of history. - How far into the future was Moshe shown?
Answer: Until the resurrection of the dead. - What is one explanation of “the south”?
Answer: The southern region of Eretz Yisrael. - What is Rashi’s second explanation of “the south”?
Answer: The Cave of Machpelah. - What did Moshe see in “the plain”?
Answer: Shlomo making the vessels of the Beis HaMikdash. - Why did Hashem show Moshe the Land?
Answer: So he could testify to the Avos that Hashem fulfilled His promise. - To whom was Moshe to report this fulfillment?
Answer: Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. - Why was Moshe not allowed to enter the Land?
Answer: Because the Divine decree remained in effect. - Who is called “the servant of Hashem”?
Answer: Moshe Rabbeinu. - What difficulty does Rashi raise regarding verse 5?
Answer: How could Moshe write about his own death? - What is the first opinion regarding who wrote these final verses?
Answer: Yehoshua wrote them. - What is Rabbi Meir’s opinion?
Answer: Moshe wrote them in tears while Hashem dictated them. - How did Moshe die?
Answer: By a Divine kiss. - What does “by the mouth of Hashem” mean?
Answer: A Divine kiss. - Who buried Moshe according to the first opinion?
Answer: Hashem Himself. - What is Rabbi Yishmael’s opinion?
Answer: Moshe buried himself. - Where was Moshe buried?
Answer: In the valley opposite Beis Peor. - Why was Moshe buried opposite Beis Peor?
Answer: To atone for the sin of Peor. - When was Moshe’s burial place prepared?
Answer: Since the six days of Creation. - What special category does Moshe’s burial place belong to?
Answer: Things created at twilight before the first Shabbos. - Does anyone know the exact location of Moshe’s grave?
Answer: No. - Until when has its location remained unknown?
Answer: Until this day. - How old was Moshe when he died?
Answer: One hundred and twenty years old. - What condition was Moshe’s eyesight in when he died?
Answer: It had not dimmed. - What does “his freshness had not fled” mean?
Answer: His body’s vigor remained. - What happened to Moshe’s body after death?
Answer: It did not decompose. - Did Moshe’s facial appearance change after death?
Answer: No. - How long did Israel mourn for Moshe?
Answer: Thirty days. - Who specifically wept for Moshe according to Rashi?
Answer: The men of Israel. - Why were both men and women said to mourn Aharon?
Answer: Because he promoted peace among everyone. - With what was Yehoshua filled after Moshe’s death?
Answer: The spirit of wisdom. - Why was Yehoshua filled with wisdom?
Answer: Because Moshe had laid his hands upon him. - Did the people follow Yehoshua?
Answer: Yes. - Was there ever another prophet in Israel like Moshe?
Answer: No. - What made Moshe unique among prophets?
Answer: Hashem knew him face to face. - What does “face to face” mean according to Rashi?
Answer: Moshe could speak with Hashem whenever necessary. - What examples show Moshe’s unique access to Hashem?
Answer: “I will go up to Hashem” and “Stand and I will hear what Hashem commands.” - What does “all the strong hand” refer to?
Answer: Receiving the Torah Tablets. - What does “all the great awe” refer to?
Answer: The miracles performed in the wilderness. - What does “before the eyes of all Israel” refer to?
Answer: Moshe breaking the Tablets. - Where did Moshe break the Tablets?
Answer: Before the eyes of all Israel. - Did Hashem approve of Moshe’s decision?
Answer: Yes. - What proof does Rashi bring that Hashem approved?
Answer: Hashem later referred to “the tablets which you broke.” - How do Chazal understand Hashem’s response?
Answer: “Well done for breaking them!”
Bonus
According to Rashi, what was Moshe shown from Mount Nevo besides the geography of Eretz Yisrael?
Answer: He was shown all of Jewish history, including future leaders, victories, destructions, exiles, and events all the way until Techiyas HaMeisim (the resurrection of the dead).