The moment Moses departed this world, a heavenly voice, a bat kol, rang out. Can you imagine the sound? It declared, "Moses, servant of the Lord, thou that art faithful in His house, even as thou hast seen the reward that is laid up for the pious in the world to come, so also thou wilt be worthy of seeing the life of the world that shall be in the future time. Thou and all Israel, ye shall see the rebuilding of the Temple and the advent of the Mashiach, the Messiah, behold the beauty of the Lord, and meditate in His Temple."
It’s a breathtaking image, isn’t it? A promise of future glory, not just for Moses, but for all of Israel. According to this legend, Moses wasn't just stepping into some static afterlife. He was stepping into a future where he, and all of Israel, would witness the ultimate redemption: the rebuilt Temple, the arrival of the Mashiach, and the chance to dwell in God's presence. Think about the weight of that promise.
But that’s not all. According to the Legends of the Jews, compiled by Rabbi Louis Ginzberg, Moses' role as teacher wouldn't end with his earthly life. Instead, in the world to come, he would continue to guide and instruct the people of Israel.
Imagine this: the people, eager to learn, approach Abraham, the patriarch, requesting instruction in the Torah, the sacred teachings. But Abraham, in his humility, directs them to Isaac, saying, "Go to Isaac, he hath studied more of the Torah than ever I studied."
But Isaac, too, defers. He sends them on to Jacob, explaining, "Go to Jacob, he hath had more converse with the sages than ever I had."
And finally, Jacob sends them to the one who truly holds the key: "Go to Moses," he says, "he was instructed in the Torah by God Himself."
What a powerful image! Even in the world to come, Moses remains the ultimate teacher, the one who received divine instruction directly from God. It speaks volumes about the enduring importance of learning and teaching, of the passing down of wisdom from generation to generation. It’s a beautiful illustration of how Moses’ legacy, his impact on the Jewish people, extends beyond his earthly existence, continuing to shape their spiritual journey in the world to come. It makes you wonder, what kind of legacy will we leave behind?