Vezos Haberacha 5776:         Make It or Break It

By Rabbi Joshua (optionally known as The Hoffer) Hoffman

Parshas Vezos Haberacha ends with a description of the greatness of Moshe Rabbeinu, saying that no prophet ever arose among Yisroel like him, and describing different aspects of his uniqueness. This section ends with the words, "... and for all the strong hand and all the great awesomeness that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisroel " (Devarim 34:12).  Rashi explains that what he did before the eyes of Yisroel is that his heart inspired him to break the tablets when he saw them worshiping the eigel. Interestingly, Rav Shlomo Ganzfried, in his Aperion, cites a midrash which says that it was Moshe's humble character that led him to perform this act. He explains that actually, when the Jewish people thought that Moshe had died, since they held him in such veneration they could not imagine that any human being could take his place as their leader, and, therefore, turned to an idol instead.  It did not occur to Moshe, the most humble man on earth, that anyone would regard him in such awe, and he saw the people's behavior as a simple rejection of God, and therefore became very angry and broke the tablets. Had he understood their motivation, he may not have become so angry. Had he not have been so humble, he may not have become so angry. The reference to his breaking of the tablets, then, also constitutes a reference to his great humility.

Rabbi Ganzfried adds that God held the importance of humility in great regard, and, to underscore this, He consulted with the angels in regard to the creation of man. This is mentioned by Rashi in Parshas Bereishis, in explaining the plural verb form used there. While some explain it as being an example of the 'royal we,' the midrash, as cited by Rashi, explains it as an indication of humility. Thus, the Torah both begins and ends with a reference to the importance of the trait of humility.

We may add that the Targum Yonasan ben Uziel explains the end of the final verse in the parsha, as referring, not to the breaking of the tablets, but to Moshe's carrying of the two tablets with his own hands. Ostensibly, this explanation would seem to be make eminent sense, it being a reference to Moshe bringing the Torah to the nation. After all, Moshe was the greatest teacher of Torah who ever lived, and is the one who taught the entire Torah to the people. Why would the other midrash see this phrase, rather, as a reference to the breaking of the tablets, and in effect a reference to Moshe's great humility? Perhaps this is can be seen as a support for the teaching of Rav Yisroel Salanter, who said that it is harder to change one character trait than to learn through the entire Talmud. The idea is that proper character traits, and especially humility, are a prerequisite for Torah study to be enduring. Moshe Rabbeinu was, indeed, the greatest teacher of Torah the nation ever had, and his teaching has endured, as a reflection of his great humility.