share torah logo

Deuteronomy 32:49 - Moses' final view of Israel

Deuteronomy 32:49 - דברים 32:49

Hebrew Text

עֲלֵה אֶל־הַר הָעֲבָרִים הַזֶּה הַר־נְבוֹ אֲשֶׁר בְּאֶרֶץ מוֹאָב אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי יְרֵחוֹ וּרְאֵה אֶת־אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי נֹתֵן לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לַאֲחֻזָּה׃

English Translation

Go up into this mount ῾Avarim, to mount Nevo, which is in the land of Mo᾽av, that is facing Yereĥo; and behold the land of Kena῾an, which I give to the children of Yisra᾽el for a possession:

Transliteration

Ale el-har ha'avarim haze har-nevo asher be'eretz mo'av asher al-pnei yericho ure'e et-eretz kena'an asher ani noten livnei yisrael la'achuza.

Hebrew Leining Text

עֲלֵ֡ה אֶל־הַר֩ הָעֲבָרִ֨ים הַזֶּ֜ה הַר־נְב֗וֹ אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֣י יְרֵח֑וֹ וּרְאֵה֙ אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲנִ֥י נֹתֵ֛ן לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לַאֲחֻזָּֽה׃
עֲלֵ֡ה אֶל־הַר֩ הָעֲבָרִ֨ים הַזֶּ֜ה הַר־נְב֗וֹ אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֣י יְרֵח֑וֹ וּרְאֵה֙ אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲנִ֥י נֹתֵ֛ן לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לַאֲחֻזָּֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Command to Ascend Mount Nevo

The verse (Devarim 32:49) commands Moshe to ascend Har Ha'Avarim (Mount Avarim), specifically Har Nevo, to behold Eretz Yisrael before his passing. Rashi explains that this was a divine act of kindness—though Moshe would not enter the land, Hashem allowed him to see it from afar. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 11:10) elaborates that Moshe was shown not only the land's physical dimensions but also its future history, including the eras of conquest, settlement, and exile.

The Significance of Har Nevo's Location

The verse specifies that Har Nevo is "in the land of Moav, facing Yericho". Ramban notes that this positioning was deliberate—Yericho was the first city to be conquered by Yehoshua, symbolizing the beginning of Bnei Yisrael's entry into the land. The Sifrei (Devarim 338) adds that Moshe was shown the land from this vantage point to emphasize that its conquest would be a continuation of his leadership under Yehoshua.

The Promise of Inheritance

Hashem declares that the land is being given "to Bnei Yisrael for a possession (achuzah)". The Malbim highlights the term achuzah, which implies permanent ownership, contrasting with temporary dwelling. This echoes the covenant with Avraham (Bereishit 17:8), where the land is promised as an "everlasting possession." The Talmud (Bava Batra 119b) further links this to the laws of inheritance, teaching that Eretz Yisrael is an eternal heritage for the Jewish people.

Lessons from Moshe's Viewing

  • Divine Mercy: Though Moshe was denied entry, Hashem granted him a vision of the land (Rashi).
  • Leadership Transition: Seeing Yericho reinforced Yehoshua's role as Moshe's successor (Sifrei).
  • Eternal Covenant: The term achuzah reaffirms the unbreakable bond between Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael (Malbim).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hashem tell Moshe to go up to Mount Nevo?
A: Hashem told Moshe to go up to Mount Nevo to see the Land of Canaan before his passing (Devarim 32:49-50). According to Rashi, this was both a reward for Moshe's leadership and a way to show him the land that Bnei Yisrael would inherit, even though he wouldn't enter it himself due to the incident at Mei Merivah (Bamidbar 20:12).
Q: What is the significance of Mount Nevo's location?
A: Mount Nevo was in the land of Moav, facing Yericho (Devarim 32:49). The Midrash explains that this location was chosen because it provided a clear view of the entire Land of Israel, allowing Moshe to see the future inheritance of each tribe (Sifrei Devarim 357). The Ramban adds that this elevated position symbolized Moshe's spiritual stature.
Q: Why couldn't Moshe enter the Land of Israel?
A: Moshe was prevented from entering the Land of Israel because of what happened at Mei Merivah (Bamidbar 20:12), where he struck the rock instead of speaking to it. The Talmud (Shabbat 55a) explains that leaders are held to higher standards, and this action demonstrated a slight lack of faith in Hashem's command. However, Moshe's view from Mount Nevo was a consolation.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Moshe seeing the land but not entering it?
A: The Sages teach that this teaches us about accepting Hashem's decrees with love (Pirkei Avot 5:4). Even though Moshe greatly desired to enter the land, he accepted Hashem's decision without complaint. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 11:10) also says this shows that righteous leaders care more about their people's future than their own honor.
Q: How is Mount Nevo connected to Jewish tradition today?
A: While the exact location is debated, Mount Nevo remains significant as the place where Moshe's leadership concluded. The Rambam (Hilchos Melachim 11:1) notes that Moshe's view of the land represents how leaders must always look toward the future of the Jewish people. Some traditions hold that Moshe was buried near there (Devarim 34:6), though the exact place remains unknown.