Why Did Moshe Die When He Did?
The question of why Moshe was not allowed to go into the Land of Canaan is problematic because a close reading of the text reveals conflicting versions. Before we consider whether the punishment was fair, there are different sources and nuances that are not obvious to the cursory reader.
The first reference to Moshe hitting or speaking to a rock for water comes shortly after the Children of Israel leave Egypt. There was no water, and God told Moshe to strike a rock, and water flowed. The place is called Masa Meriva, which is often translated as a test and a quarrel (Shemot 17:7). But the Meriva, here is a complaint of the Israelites with God. There is no hint of Moshe being at fault in any way.
Almost a generation later comes the similar issue of no water. But this time Moshe is told specifically to speak to the rock together with Aaron (BeMidbar 20:9-12). But he was angry and smote the rock as he had done previously. And this time blamed the people. God was angry too. Even so, not entering Canaan seems a surprising punishment for a man of so much achievement. Why?
Addressing both Moshe and Aaron, God says, “Because you did not trust Me enough to affirm My sanctity in the sight of the Israelite people, therefore you will not lead this congregation into the land that I have given them…Aaron will now die and not go into the land which I have given to the Children of Israel because you rebelled against me at the waters of Meriva” (BeMidbar 20:24). It is clear that neither Moshe nor Aaron would be allowed to go into Canaan.
But then God’s anger with Moshe also seems to be over the episode of the Spies (Devarim 1:34). The people were told that the whole of that generation would not enter the land, only Yehoshua would lead them into Canaan and Calev ( the other ‘good’ spy) would go too. Again, making sure that Moshe would not, and explicitly saying so in verse 37: “Also God was angry with me because of you, saying that you will not come to the promised land.” Implying anger over the spy episode, not the water.
So then why in this week’s Torah (Devarim Chapter 3:23) does Moshe plead with God to let him enter the Promised Land? Perhaps Moshe’s responsibility for the failed initial attempt to enter Canaan in the second year was also why his request was denied. Moshe claimed that he only wanted to enter the land briefly, just to see across the Jordan and up to Levanon (Devarim 3:25). And God replied that he could only climb up Mount Pisga and see it all from a distance.
The text allows for the possibility that Moshe was not requesting to lead the people into Canaan. He simply wanted to “enter the land,” as a private citizen. Perhaps this, then, was the reason Moshe felt his prayer would be granted, as it did not actually contravene the decree at Mei Meriva.
But we can still also ask why his burial ground was not mentioned. Whereas in the case of Aaron it was. And the text says specifically that no one would know where it was (Devarim 34:5). Was it because despite all his successes, he also had his limitations?
Perhaps his burial was kept a secret precisely because God intended to emphasise that however great he was, he should not be given the credit both for taking the Children of Israel out of Egypt and for bringing them into the land of Canaan, which might have led them to think it was all Moshe’s. Similarly, a burial ground would have given people a place and an opportunity to worship Moshe almost as a demigod. The Torah wanted to avoid the worship of any human being as a god.
This is why we talk about Moshe as ‘our teacher’. Not even as a prophet. Moshe was an agent of God. He was indeed reluctant, and had to suffer from the expectations of the Children of Israel. He was not perfect. To show us that perfection would not and could not ever be achieved by human beings. Even if, in most other religions, the founder was indeed given the status of a god or a demigod.
Rabbi Jeremy Rosen lives in New York. He was born in Manchester. His writings are concerned with religion, culture, history and current affairs – anything he finds interesting or relevant. They are designed to entertain and to stimulate. Disagreement is always welcome.