This week we are privileged to read the portion of Voeschanan. The Shabbos is also called “Shabbos Nachamu”. Nachamu means be consoled (comforted). This name comes from the words in our haftorah “Nachamu, Nachamu Ami" - console, console my nation, says Hashem. This portion begins with Moshe expressing his desire to enter the Holy Land - Eretz Yisroel, and Hashem's refusal to grant him this wish. Hashem told Moshe to go up on the highest point of the mountain and from there he will see Eretz Yisroel, but he will not enter. Hashem commands Moshe to strengthen Yehoshua, for he will bring the Jewish people into Eretz Yisroel and they will inhabit the land. We learn the importance of remembering the event at Mt Sinai. In this week's portion the ten commandments are repeated, and the first portion of Shma is also written in this portion.
The Tolna Rebbe OBM, once asked an obvious question. We find that Moshe begged Hashem to allow him to enter the Holy land and Hashem responds so sharply, "don't continue to talk to me on this topic"! Why such a sharp response ? The question is even greater, because the whole reason that Moshe wanted to go into Eretz Yisroel was only, so that he can perform the mitzvohs that one can only perform in the Holy Land, so why did he deserve such a sharp response? Says the Tolna Rebbe, Moshe was fascinated by the Mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisroel, inhabiting the land of Israel. This is a mitzvah that one can fulfill around the clock every second of the day just by living in Eretz Yisroel. Moshe had an extreme desire to be able to fulfill such a mitzvah. Hashem had other plans for Moshe, but in order not disappoint his great desire to fulfill a 24/7 mitzvah, he commanded him not to talk to him again regarding this topic. Now, by just merely refraining from talking about this topic he was fulfilling a mitzvah every second. So what seems to be a harsh response, was actually a method of rewarding Moshe with the possibility to be able to observe a 24/7 mitzvah.
May we merit to be consoled by Hashem speedily, with the rebuilding of Yerusholayim and the holy Temple.
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