Moshe / Moses

Legacy:

Moshe, or Moshe Rabbeinu (our teacher) is most known for being the prophet who transmitted Torah to the Jewish people from G-d. The written text of these teachings was codified with the endorsement of the Jewish people (an estimated 3 million people at the time), and is known to us as Torah Shebiksav (The Written Law) or Chumash (The Five Books of Moshe). In English, this text is known as “The Bible” or “The Old Testament”.

In addition to the written law described, Moshe also transmitted G-d’s oral explanation of the laws. This tradition has been codified in the body of literature known as Talmud. For example, the Torah says that to be Kosher for eating, an animal must be slaughtered in a special way, “As you were shown.” The record of those lessons is in the Talmud.

 

Life:

Moshe was born in Egypt during the slavery period described in Shemos 1: 7-22. His father Amram was a well known leader from the tribe of Levi. His mother was Yocheved, the daughter of Levi. At that time the astrologers predicted that a savior would be born who would redeem the Jews from slavery. Pharoh issued a death edict on all newborn boys that they should be killed by throwing them into the Nile river. Hoping to avert such tragedy, Moshe’s parents placed him in a basket at the edge of the river. Some maintain that their strategy was that the astrologers should detect that the savior was already in the river, and instruct Pharoh to revoke the decree.

Ironically, Moshe and his basket were found by Basya, the daughter of Pharoh. He was raised in the palace as the adopted grandson of the king. The name “Moshe” is the name which Basya gave him, and this is the name by which he was known in his lifetime, and the name by which he is known to us. The name means “to draw”. Through this name, Basya expressed the hope and responsibility, that just as Moshe was drawn (from the water, and saved) so he should be blessed to spend his life drawing and saving others.

Moshe spent a period of time out of Egypt in Midyan. During this time he married Tziporah the daughter of Yisro, and has the revelation at the burning bush. He then returns to Egypt to bring ten plagues on the Egyptians, and to redeem the Jewish people from their slavery in Egypt. Moshe leads the people for forty years in the desert, during which the Jewish people experienced the revelation at Sinai, and also built the Mishkan/ Sanctuary.

 

Revelation at Sinai:

Although there were many miracles which Moshe performed, our belief in his teachings from G-d are based on the great revelation at Sinai at which time the Jewish people heard the voice of G-d talking to Moshe, and Moshe repeating the message accurately to the people. The Torah records that there were 600,000 heads of household at the time. This prompts the estimation that there were about 3 million people who witnessed the revelation, and endorsed the Torah which records the event and the teachings which resulted.

Rambam (Maimonidies) writes: Our belief in Moshe is not predicated on the miracles which he performed (such as the ten plagues) because miracles can be falsified. Rather, as a nation, we experienced G-d personally, and recognized that G-d endorsed Moshe as His prophet.

 

Successor, Death, and Burial:

Moshe was told to ascend a mountain called “Nevo” where he would die. Moshe promptly prayed that the people should be provided with a leader who would both understand the needs of the individual, and be able to lead the nation. He was told that his loyal student Yehoshua should be the next leader. Later Moshe ascended the mountain and died. G-d Himself performed the burial. The Torah tells us that no person knows where Moshe is buried. One reason given for this is so that his burial place should not be turned into a religious shrine paying tribute to this great human being. Moshe’s role was to transmit G-d’s teaching to humanity. If his burial place would become a religious shrine there would be risk that people might develop a God-like reverence for Moshe, which would negate the very teachings of Moshe: That there is only one G-d. (See Ein Yakov, Sotah, for another reason)

Sources and Related information:

  • Torah was commanded to us through Moshe as an inheritance to the Jewish People. (Devorim 33:4)
  • G-d said to Moshe, “Ascend this mountain… and you will die.” Moshe said, “May G-d, G-d of spirits, appoint a leader for the people who will lead them, so they not be like sheep without a shepherd.” G-d said, “Take Yehoshua…” (Bamidbar 27: 12-23)
  • What does it mean, “G-d of spirits”? A leader who can appreciate each person as unique. (Rashi, Bamidbar 27:16)
  • Moshe ascended… and died… and no one knows his place of burial. (Devorim 34: 1-7)
  • Chida in Shem Hagidolim 40:110, name Moshe was not used until after time of Talmud. During Talmud we find it as an expression referring to someone great, “Like Moshe in his generation.” (Talmud, Succah 39a, and Rashi). When Rambam (whose name is Moshe) emerged as great codifier of Jewish law, an expression was coined, “From Moshe to Moshe there arose none as Moshe.” Some continue that quip regarding Rabbi Moshe Isserles who completed the codification of Jewish law by adding notes to the Shulchan Aruch.