It’s a question that echoes through the Torah, filled with both sorrow and a profound sense of purpose. One fascinating passage in Sifrei Bamidbar, a collection of legal and ethical teachings based on the Book of Numbers, sheds light on this very subject.
The verse in question comes from Bamidbar (Numbers) 31:2: "Afterwards you will be gathered unto your people." Seems straightforward. But the Sifrei Bamidbar finds a deeper meaning here. It suggests that Moses’ death wasn't just a matter of time, but was actually linked to a specific event: the defeat of Midian. Moses, knowing his end was tied to this battle, still threw himself into it with unwavering dedication. The text highlights this, pointing to Bamidbar 31:3: "And Moses spoke to the people, saying 'hechaltzu.'" That word, hechaltzu, is key. It implies zeal, a passionate commitment to the task at hand. The text draws a parallel to Devarim (Deuteronomy) 3:18, "Chalutzim shall you cross over," further emphasizing this idea of being armed and ready, full of zeal.
Why this battle, though? What was so important about Midian? The Sifrei Bamidbar offers a powerful answer. Moses tells the people that they weren't just carrying out a personal vendetta, a simple act of revenge. No, this was "the vengeance of the L-rd against Midian." It wasn't about flesh and blood; it was about executing divine justice.
The text even references Nachum 1:2: "the L-rd is a G-d of scorn and revenge." This isn't to say that God is vengeful in a petty way, but rather that there is a cosmic justice that needs to be upheld. And in this instance, the defeat of Midian was a crucial part of that.
So, what does it all mean?
It means that even in the face of his own mortality, Moses remained steadfast in his commitment to God's will. He understood that his personal fate was intertwined with the larger narrative of justice and redemption. And it reminds us that sometimes, our own journeys are connected to something far bigger than ourselves. That our actions, even when driven by a sense of duty or even "zeal," can have profound consequences that ripple through history. It's a powerful thought, isn't it?