That, my friends, is the essence of this poignant tale from Legends of the Jews.
The story picks up long after Moses has passed. Forty long years he served as a faithful shepherd to Israel, leading them through the wilderness. As Legends of the Jews, drawing on various Midrashim, reminds us, he yearned to bring them into the Promised Land. Yet, as God commanded, his bones were to drop in the desert (Deuteronomy 32:50). Now, with the children of Israel in exile, a new sorrow grips him.
Moses, in his immortal spirit, cries out to God. "O Lord of the world," he laments, "was I not a faithful shepherd unto Israel for forty long years?" He describes how he ran ahead of them like a steed. And now, the very people he dedicated his life to are suffering. "The good fortune of the master is none for the slave, but the master's woe is his woe," he declares, echoing the people's sentiment – the master's (God's) joy is not shared by the servant (Moses), but the master's sorrow is keenly felt.
Turning to the prophet Jeremiah, Moses proposes a daring plan. "Walk before me," he urges, "I will lead them back; let us see who will venture to raise a hand against them." Imagine the power of that image: Moses, the greatest prophet, ready to defy even the mightiest empire to save his people.
But Jeremiah, burdened by the grim reality, replies, "The roads cannot be passed, they are blocked with corpses." The devastation is too great, the obstacles insurmountable. Still, Moses, ever the determined leader, refuses to yield.
Together, Moses and Jeremiah journey towards the rivers of Babylon. Can you picture them, the two great prophets, walking side by side, one following the other, toward a scene of utter despair?
When the exiled Jews see Moses, a spark of hope ignites within them. "The son of Amram," they exclaim, "has ascended from his grave to redeem us from our enemies!" They see in him a savior, a deliverer from their suffering.
But then, a crushing blow. A heavenly voice rings out: "It is decreed!" The exile is divinely ordained, unalterable, a consequence of their actions.
Moses, his heart surely breaking, is forced to deliver the devastating truth. "O my children," he says, "I cannot redeem you, the decree is unalterable. May God redeem you speedily." And with that, he departs, leaving his people to their fate.
What a heartbreaking scene! Moses, the ultimate liberator, powerless to liberate. It’s a stark reminder that even the greatest among us are sometimes bound by forces beyond our control. This story, found within Legends of the Jews, reminds us of the complexities of fate, the weight of leadership, and the enduring power of hope, even in the face of despair. And perhaps, it whispers to us about the importance of accepting what we cannot change, while never ceasing to pray for a better future.