Devar/5770/Vaetchanan
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And I besought the LORD at that time, saying (Deut 3:23)
Our portion begins with the story of Moshe pleading with God. And it is very interesting to examine closely the manner in which he pleads! First of all, he begins by praising God: 'O Lord GOD, Thou hast begun to show Thy servant Thy greatness, and Thy strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth, that can do according to Thy works, and according to Thy mighty acts? (ibid 24). Only afterwards does he make his request: Let me go over, I pray Thee, and see the good land that is beyond the Jordan, that goodly hill-country, and Lebanon.' (ibid 25).
Even though he prayed fervently to God, and even though he was the Jewish people's faithful shepherd for more than forty years, God answered him negatively: But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and hearkened not unto me and informed him for thou shalt not go over this Jordan (ibid 26-27). And there are many who see this as an injustice, God forbid!, on God's part -- that He did not permit His faithful emissary to enter the Land!
But that is the position of one who has not yet matured in his moral development, and remains like a child who believes that whatever he wants, he deserves. Our teacher Moshe of blessed memory is giving us a great moral lesson -- that even a great and righteous Jew, one who has no peers in honesty -- even such a one may receive a negative reply to his prayers. And he further teaches us that one must not get angry or upset at God, may He be blessed, but rather accept the verdict with gladness.
Despite this, it is good and proper to increase prayer for the desired result, and to hope in God, that He will pay attention to our cries, and bring us salvation soon!
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