In the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy), specifically chapter 3, verse 24, we find Moses pleading with God. He says, "Your greatness (gadlecha)..." But what exactly does that gadlecha – that greatness – encompass?

Sifrei Devarim, an ancient commentary on Deuteronomy, sheds light on this. It tells us that gadlecha refers to God’s attribute of goodness. Think of it like this: Remember the story in Bamidbar (Numbers 14:17), where Moses pleads, "And now, let the power (of goodness) of the L-rd be magnified (yigdal)..."? The commentary suggests this is the very blueprint for understanding all instances of "gadlecha" throughout the Torah. It’s about God's inherent goodness, His capacity for compassion.

And what about Moses's next words, "and Your mighty hand"? Well, that's a bit more direct. The commentary points to the ten plagues inflicted upon the Egyptians. Remember in Shemot (Exodus 8:1) – "Stretch forth your hand, etc."? Each plague, a demonstration of divine power, a stark reminder of God's ability to intervene in the world.

But here’s where it gets really interesting. The verse continues, "For who is Almighty in the heavens and in the earth…". Sifrei Devarim uses this to explore the difference between human limitations and God's boundless potential.

Imagine a human ruler, a governor sitting on his throne. He’s constantly worried about being overruled by his advisors. An officer is always looking over their shoulder, fearing the commands of their superior. These are beings constrained by hierarchy and the opinions of others.

But God? God has no counselors to overrule Him, no commander to answer to. So, the commentary asks, almost rhetorically: if God is unbound by these limitations, why doesn't He pardon Moses? Why doesn't He grant Moses's request to enter the Promised Land?

It's a profound question, isn't it? It forces us to confront the complexities of divine judgment. Why, if God is all-powerful and all-merciful, are there still boundaries? Why are there still consequences?

Midrash Rabbah delves into similar themes throughout its teachings. It’s a constant back-and-forth, this striving to understand the ways of the Divine.

Perhaps the answer lies in the very balance we’ve been exploring: greatness and might, goodness and power. Maybe true justice requires both. Maybe, even for God, there are principles that must be upheld, not out of limitation, but out of a higher form of divine consistency.

What do you think? Is it a comforting thought, or a challenging one?