In Devarim (Deuteronomy) 32:49, we find a fascinating little phrase: "Go up to this Mount Avarim." Simple enough, right? But the ancient sages, those masters of interpretation, saw so much more in those few words. Sifrei Devarim 338 takes this verse and gives it a unique spin: "It is an ascent for you and not a descent."
What does that even mean?
Think about it. God is telling Moses to ascend Mount Avarim. This wasn't just any climb; it was Moses's final ascent. From that vantage point, he would see the Promised Land, the land he would never enter. A bittersweet moment, to say the least.
So, why emphasize that it's an ascent, not a descent? Isn't that obvious? Well, maybe not.
The Sages are pointing to something deeper. Even when we're facing what feels like the end, even when we're approaching a moment of profound loss or transition, there's still an upward direction, a spiritual ascent, available to us.
It's easy to see the "descent" in such a situation. Moses isn’t going into the land, he's only seeing it from afar. He’s about to leave this world. That could feel like a downward spiral, right? But the Torah insists on framing it as an ascent.
Perhaps it's about perspective. Even in moments of ending, we can choose to rise above the immediate circumstances. We can choose to learn, to grow, to find meaning, even as things are changing or ending. It's about the journey of the soul.
Think of it like this: life isn’t a flat line. It’s full of peaks and valleys. Sometimes we’re climbing, sometimes we’re descending. But even in the valleys, even when things feel like they’re going downhill, there’s still an opportunity for inner growth, for an "ascent" of the spirit.
Mount Avarim, that place of transition, becomes a symbol for all those moments in our lives when we stand on the precipice of something new, something unknown. The Torah is telling us, even then, even there, look for the ascent. Don't let the fear of the unknown, the sadness of what's ending, overshadow the possibility of growth and spiritual elevation.
So, next time you find yourself facing a challenging climb, remember the words of Sifrei Devarim. Remember Moses on Mount Avarim. Choose the ascent.