That’s the raw, human core of this passage from Sifrei Devarim, a collection of early rabbinic legal commentaries on the Book of Deuteronomy. It centers around Moses, and his desperate plea to enter the Promised Land.
The text opens with the phrase "at that time," referring back to Moses's request to enter Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel. But why that time? What made it so significant? Sifrei Devarim offers an analogy: Imagine a province asking their king to become a colony, seeking freedom from taxes. They wait for the opportune moment. When two of the king's enemies fall before their province, they seize the chance, believing the king will be more inclined to grant their request.
Moses, according to this, is doing the same. He's witnessed the victories over Sichon and Og, powerful kings who stood in the way of the Israelites. He thinks, "Now is the time. The moment is ripe. Surely, after all this, God will grant my wish."
It’s a very human moment, isn’t it? We often look for signs, for the perfect alignment of circumstances, to finally ask for what our hearts truly desire. We think, "If this happens, then surely..."
But the passage doesn't stop there. It delves into the meaning of the phrase "to say," as in, "Moses spoke to the Lord, to say…" It suggests this isn’t just about Moses speaking to God, but about Moses asking God to tell him something specific: "Will you grant my request?"
Sifrei Devarim then provides a series of parallels from other parts of the Torah. Remember when the Israelites were desperate for water in Exodus 17:4? "And Moses cried out to the Lord, to say: What can I do to this people?" The commentary interprets this "to say" as Moses pleading, "Tell me, will I be able to save them?" Similarly, in Exodus 6:12, when God commands Moses to redeem the Israelites, Moses responds, "And Moses spoke before the Lord, to say…" Here, the text understands it as Moses asking, "Tell me, will you really redeem them?"
We see the same pattern in Numbers. In Numbers 12:13, when Miriam is afflicted with tzara'at (often translated as leprosy), "Moses cried out to the Lord, to say…" The commentary sees him begging, "Tell me, will you heal her?" And again in Numbers 27:15, when Moses is concerned about who will lead the people after him, "Moses spoke to the Lord, to say…" He’s asking, "Tell me, will you appoint worthy leaders?"
Each instance reveals Moses's deep anxiety, his need for reassurance. He isn't just informing God of his thoughts; he's desperately seeking divine guidance, a glimpse into the future, a confirmation that his efforts will bear fruit.
So, back to our original question: "at that time, to say" regarding entering the land. Sifrei Devarim suggests it’s all about Moses yearning for an answer, a definitive "yes" or "no." He’s not just asking; he’s pleading for clarity. He’s laying bare his vulnerability before the Divine.
And, of course, we know how the story ends. Moses doesn’t enter the Land. His plea is denied. It’s a heartbreaking moment, a testament to the limitations even the greatest leaders face. But perhaps, in that very denial, there's a deeper message. Maybe it's not always about getting what we want. Maybe it's about the asking, the striving, the unwavering faith even in the face of disappointment. Maybe it’s about accepting that sometimes, even with all our efforts, the answer is simply, "no." And finding the strength to move forward anyway.