The Midrash in Devarim Rabbah 9:4 explains that when it came time for Moshe to die, he asked God: “Why must I die after I have witnessed such glory and have had such power?” After all, Moshe had experienced many wonders, including the burning bush and the revelation at Har Sinai. God replied to Moshe by listing all of other great biblical figures who experienced God’s glory but eventually had to be laid down to rest. For example, even though Avraham was saved from a pit of fire, Yitzchak was rescued from the altar, and Yaakov had the experience of wrestling with an angel, each of our forefathers ultimately passed away.
- Do you think Moshe would have found God’s response comforting? Why or why not?
- How is this message of mortal leadership in the Torah meaningful to us today?