Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does the Torah say Moshe died 'according to the word of the Lord'?
A: Rashi explains that Moshe's death was a divine act of kindness - he died with a 'kiss' (divine kiss), meaning his soul departed gently and peacefully at God's command, unlike ordinary death which involves suffering. The Talmud (Bava Batra 17a) states this was a unique honor given to Moshe and a few other righteous individuals.
Q: Why did Moshe die in Moav instead of Israel?
A: According to Rashi and the Midrash (Devarim Rabbah), this was part of Moshe's punishment for hitting the rock (Numbers 20). Though he pleaded to enter Israel (Deut. 3:23-26), God decreed he would only see the land but not enter it. The Sifrei explains this teaches that even great leaders must face consequences for their actions.
Q: What is significant about Moshe being called 'servant of the Lord' at his death?
A: The Rambam notes this title represents Moshe's highest achievement - complete devotion to God's will. The Talmud (Sotah 14a) explains this teaches that true greatness comes from serving God faithfully. This designation appears only here at his death, showing he maintained this status his entire life.
Q: How could Moshe write about his own death in the Torah?
A: The Talmud (Bava Batra 15a) and Rashi address this by explaining that Moshe wrote the Torah until this point, and Yehoshua (Joshua) added the final verses. Alternatively, some opinions suggest Moshe wrote it prophetically through tears, as God dictated these final words to him.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Moshe's death outside Israel?
A: The Midrash Tanchuma teaches this shows that even the greatest leaders don't always achieve all their goals. The Rambam (Hilchos Teshuva) derives from this that we must accept divine decrees with love, as Moshe did. It reminds us that spiritual growth matters more than physical location.
The Death of Moshe Rabbeinu
The verse (Devarim 34:5) states: "וַיָּמָת שָׁם מֹשֶׁה עֶבֶד־יְהוָה בְּאֶרֶץ מוֹאָב עַל־פִּי יְהוָה" ("So Moshe the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Mo᾽av, according to the word of the Lord"). This passage marks the conclusion of Moshe's life and leadership, and it is rich with meaning in Orthodox Jewish tradition.
1. "עֶבֶד־יְהוָה" – Moshe as the Servant of Hashem
Rashi (Devarim 34:5) emphasizes that Moshe is uniquely called "עֶבֶד־יְהוָה" ("servant of the Lord")—a title not given to any other prophet. This signifies his unparalleled closeness to Hashem and his complete devotion to fulfilling the divine will. The Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:6) explains that Moshe reached the highest level of prophecy, making him the greatest of all prophets.
2. "בְּאֶרֶץ מוֹאָב" – The Location of Moshe's Death
The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 357) notes that Moshe died outside Eretz Yisrael, in the land of Moav, as a consequence of the incident at Mei Merivah (Bamidbar 20:12). However, the Talmud (Sotah 14a) teaches that Hashem Himself buried Moshe in an unknown location (as per Devarim 34:6) to prevent his grave from becoming a site of idolatry.
3. "עַל־פִּי יְהוָה" – The Divine Kiss of Death
The phrase "עַל־פִּי יְהוָה" ("according to the word of the Lord") is interpreted by the Talmud (Bava Basra 17a) to mean that Moshe died by a "מיתת נשיקה" ("death by divine kiss"). This is the most gentle and exalted form of death, reserved for the most righteous. Rashi (Bava Basra 17a) explains that Moshe's soul departed with a kiss from the Shechinah, indicating his supreme spiritual stature.
4. The Mystery of Moshe's Burial
The Torah (Devarim 34:6) states that no one knows the place of Moshe's burial. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 11:10) suggests that this was to prevent future generations from turning his grave into a shrine for worship, as Moshe himself opposed any form of avodah zarah (idolatry). The Ramban (Devarim 34:6) adds that this concealment also reflects the humility of Moshe, who did not seek glory even in death.
Key Lessons from Moshe's Death