The Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal midrash on the book of Deuteronomy, poses a fascinating question about a seemingly simple phrase: "before his death." It appears in the context of Moses blessing the Israelites. But think about it for a moment. Would it even occur to us that Moses would be giving out blessings after he had already passed away? Seems a bit… unlikely, right?
The text is wrestling with something deeper than just chronology. It's about intention, about the potency of moments that are pregnant with meaning. If it’s obvious Moses wouldn’t bless after death, then what does "before his death" really mean?
The answer, the Sifrei suggests, is that it means "close to his death." It signifies that these blessings were uttered in that liminal space, that time right before a monumental shift, when the veil between worlds feels thin.
And it doesn't stop there! The text draws a parallel to the prophet Elijah (Eliyahu) in the Book of Malachi. We read: "Behold, I send you Eliyah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of the L-rd, and he will return the heart of fathers to sons." (Malachi 3:23-24).
Again, the same question arises. Would Elijah be prophesying after this "great and awesome day"? Of course not! So, what does "before the coming of the day of the L-rd" actually signify?
The Sifrei answers: "Close to its coming." The power lies in the anticipation, in the nearness of the event. Elijah's message, like Moses' blessings, is amplified by its proximity to a pivotal moment.
What does this mean for us? Perhaps it's a reminder that timing is everything. That the words we speak, the actions we take, carry extra weight when offered on the cusp of something significant. A transition, a change, a new beginning. Maybe it’s about being present, truly present, in those "close to..." moments. Recognizing their power and acting accordingly.
Think about the times in your own life when you've felt that sense of impending change. The eve of a graduation, the moments before a big decision, the days leading up to a move. Those are the times when our words, our gestures, our intentions, resonate the loudest. They're the moments when we, like Moses and Elijah, have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact.