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Deuteronomy 3:23 - Moshe pleads for Eretz Yisrael

Deuteronomy 3:23 - דברים 3:23

Hebrew Text

וָאֶתְחַנַּן אֶל־יְהוָה בָּעֵת הַהִוא לֵאמֹר׃

English Translation

And I besought the Lord at that time, saying,

Transliteration

Va'etchanan el-Adonai ba'et hahi leimor.

Hebrew Leining Text

וָאֶתְחַנַּ֖ן אֶל־יְהֹוָ֑ה בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִ֖וא לֵאמֹֽר׃
וָאֶתְחַנַּ֖ן אֶל־יְהֹוָ֑ה בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִ֖וא לֵאמֹֽר׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Devarim 3:23) begins Moshe Rabbeinu's plea to Hashem to allow him to enter Eretz Yisrael. This occurs after the completion of the conquest of the lands east of the Jordan River and before Bnei Yisrael are to cross into the Land. Rashi explains that Moshe waited until this moment to pray because he hoped that after the victories in battle, Hashem might relent from the decree preventing him from entering the Land.

The Nature of Moshe's Plea

The term "וָאֶתְחַנַּן" (va'eschanan) comes from the root ח.נ.נ, meaning "to seek favor" or "to implore." The Sifri notes that this word implies Moshe prayed repeatedly—515 times, according to the gematria of "וָאֶתְחַנַּן." Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:4) cites this as an example of how even the greatest tzaddikim must approach Hashem with humility and persistent supplication.

Timing of the Prayer

The phrase "בָּעֵת הַהִוא" ("at that time") is significant. The Midrash Tanchuma (Va'eschanan 3) explains that Moshe chose this moment because he thought the decree might be lifted after he successfully led Bnei Yisrael in battle. The Talmud (Sotah 14a) also connects this to Moshe's deep desire to fulfill the mitzvot tied to Eretz Yisrael, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to Torah.

Lessons in Prayer

  • Persistence in Tefillah: Moshe's 515 prayers teach that one should never despair in seeking mercy from Hashem (Chizkuni).
  • Humility: Despite his greatness, Moshe approached Hashem as a humble petitioner (Ramban).
  • Timing of Requests: Moshe waited for a moment of divine favor, teaching discernment in prayer (Malbim).

Rejection of the Plea

Though Hashem ultimately did not grant Moshe's request (Devarim 3:26), the Or HaChaim explains that this rejection itself carries a lesson: even unfulfilled prayers are precious before Hashem and serve as a merit for future generations. The Zohar (Pinchas 252a) adds that Moshe's prayers were not in vain—they ensured his spiritual vision of Eretz Yisrael from Mount Nebo.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'And I besought the Lord at that time' mean in Deuteronomy 3:23?
A: This verse refers to Moshe (Moses) pleading with Hashem to allow him to enter the Land of Israel. Rashi explains that Moshe prayed intensely ('va’eschanan' comes from the root 'chinun,' meaning free gift) because he hoped Hashem would grant his request as an unearned kindness, despite knowing he was not permitted to enter due to the incident at Mei Merivah (Numbers 20:12).
Q: Why is Moshe's prayer in Deuteronomy 3:23 important?
A: Moshe's prayer teaches the power of sincere supplication, even when facing a divine decree. The Talmud (Berachos 32a) derives from here that one should always pray for mercy, no matter how hopeless a situation seems. Though Moshe was not ultimately permitted to enter Israel, his example inspires us to turn to Hashem in earnest prayer.
Q: What can we learn from Moshe saying 'at that time' in this verse?
A: The phrase 'at that time' hints that Moshe waited for an opportune moment to pray. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 2:5) explains that Moshe delayed his prayer until after conquering Sichon and Og, hoping his military successes would make his request more favorable. This teaches the importance of proper timing and preparation in prayer.
Q: How does Deuteronomy 3:23 apply to our prayers today?
A: Just as Moshe prayed with humility and persistence, we too should approach Hashem with sincere requests, acknowledging that all blessings come from Him. The Rambam (Hilchos Tefillah 1:2) emphasizes that prayer is a daily obligation, and Moshe’s example reminds us to pray with full devotion, even if we don’t immediately see the results we hope for.