Moses Born and Taken on the Seventh of Adar

"And it came to pass after the death of Moses" (Joshua 1:1). On the seventh of Adar Moses died, as it is written, "And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first of the month... in the land of Moab" (Deuteronomy 1:3-5). From the first of Shevat until the sixth of Adar—thirty-six days—Moses expounded the entire Torah, as it is said, "Moses began to explain this Torah." On the sixth of it, "And the LORD said to Moses, Behold, your days draw near to die"; on that very day he was told "Charge Joshua." What was his charge? "Be strong and of good courage, for you shall bring [this people into the land]." On the seventh of Adar, "And he said to them, I am a hundred and twenty years old this day." Since there is no need to say "this day," what does "this day" teach? "This day my days and my years are filled"—this teaches that on the seventh of Adar Moses was born and on the seventh of Adar Moses died, as it is said, "And Moses the servant of the LORD died there," and "And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old [when he died]." "And the children of Israel wept for Moses thirty days." "And it came to pass after the death of Moses... Moses My servant is dead." "And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days [you shall pass over this Jordan]." "And the people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth of the month"—subtract from it the thirty days [of mourning] and the three [days], counting backward, and you learn that on the seventh of Adar Moses died. This teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, fills up the years of the righteous from day to day, as it is said, "The number of your days I will fulfill" (Exodus 23:26).