And it’s a feeling that even Moses, our great leader, experienced.

Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy, explores this very idea through the verse, "I pleaded" (Deuteronomy 3:23). It connects this plea to Daniel 2:21, which states that God "changes the times and the seasons." What does this mean for Moses and his fervent desire to enter the Promised Land?

Rabbi Avin uses a powerful parable to illustrate the point. Imagine a king and his close friend. This friend used to have the power to appoint generals, governors, and commanders – positions of great influence. But then, one day, this same friend is seen pleading with the gatekeeper just to enter the palace. The gatekeeper refuses him entry. Everyone is bewildered. How could someone who once held such power now be denied such a simple request? The answer, they say, is simple: "His time has passed."

This, the midrash suggests, is analogous to Moses's relationship with God. There was a time when Moses could issue a decree, and God would fulfill it. ! We see this throughout the Torah. Remember when Moses proclaimed, "Arise, O Lord" (Numbers 10:35) and "Return, O Lord" (Numbers 10:36), directing the movement of the Ark of the Covenant? Or what about the story of Korah and his rebellion? Moses prayed that the earth swallow them up, saying, "But if the Lord creates a creation [yivra Hashem]" (Numbers 16:30).

The text delves into the meaning of yivra Hashem. It implies that if an opening already existed in the earth from the six days of Creation, then great, that would be enough. If not, Moses was asking God to create [yivra Hashem] a new opening just for this purpose! According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, God immediately made a new opening in the earth, answering Moses's prayer.

The point is, Moses had such a close relationship with God that his requests were, in essence, commands.

But now, in Devarim, we see a different picture. Moses is pleading, prostrating himself in prayer, begging to enter the Land of Israel. Yet, his request is denied. Why? Because, as the midrash states, "His time has passed." He prayed "at that time," but the time when he had God’s ear in that way had already gone.

It's a poignant moment, isn't it? Even Moses, the greatest prophet, had to face the reality that time moves on, and with it, the dynamics of relationships and the possibilities they hold can change.

What does this teach us? Perhaps it's a reminder to appreciate the moments we have, the opportunities before us, and the relationships we cherish. To seize the day, because, as Devarim Rabbah reminds us, even for the most extraordinary among us, there comes a time when the door, once open, begins to close. And maybe, just maybe, it's also a lesson in humility, that even the most righteous and powerful individuals are ultimately subject to the divine will and the passage of time.