In the book of Deuteronomy (Devarim), we find Moses at a pivotal moment. God tells him, "Ascend to the top of the peak, and lift your eyes to the west, and to the north, and to the south, and to the east, and see with your eyes, as you will not cross this Jordan" (Deuteronomy 3:27). He's shown the Promised Land, but he won't be entering it.
And then comes the kicker: "As you will not cross this Jordan" – the Holy One, blessed be He, says to Moses: “If you are buried here with them, by your merit, they will come with you.”
What does that even mean?
Well, according to Devarim Rabbah, it's a powerful promise, a beautiful, bittersweet bargain. God is essentially saying that if Moses is buried in the wilderness with those who died there, all those who perished during the long journey will, through his merit, eventually enter the Land of Israel with him after the Revival of the Dead. Imagine that – a second chance, a collective redemption led by their faithful leader.
Rabbi Levi offers a striking analogy to help us understand. He compares the situation to a man who scatters copper coins in a dark place. If he simply asks for light to find his coins, no one will pay attention. But what if he drops a single, valuable gold coin and cries out, “Help me find it! I lost a gold coin!” Suddenly, everyone is eager to help. Once he retrieves the gold coin, he asks them to wait so he can gather the rest of his copper coins. Because of the value of that single gold coin, he's able to gather everything.
The gold coin, of course, is Moses. His righteousness, his connection to God, is the invaluable thing that can bring redemption to those who seemed lost. The copper coins are the people who died in the wilderness. As Devarim Rabbah explains, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “If you are buried with them in the wilderness, they will all come by your merit, and you will come at their head,” as it is stated: “He saw the first for himself, [as there the plot of the lawgiver is hidden;] he came at the head of the people” (Deuteronomy 33:21).
Moses, in a way, becomes the ultimate shepherd, even in death. He paves the way for his flock to ultimately reach their destination.
It's a poignant image, isn't it? It speaks to the power of leadership, the enduring impact of righteousness, and the hope for redemption, even beyond the grave. It makes you wonder: what "gold coins" can we offer to help those around us, to light the way for others to reach their own promised lands? How can we use our own merits to elevate others?