Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Moses mean when he asks Hashem to remember Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov?
A: Moses is appealing to Hashem's covenant with the forefathers (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov) to show mercy to the Jewish people despite their sins. This teaches us the power of the merit of our ancestors (zechut avot) in Jewish tradition, as explained by Rashi and other commentators.
Q: Why does Moses mention the 'stubbornness, wickedness, and sin' of the people?
A: Moses is acknowledging the people's faults honestly while pleading for mercy. The Talmud (Berachot 32a) teaches that true prayer requires recognizing one's shortcomings while trusting in Hashem's compassion. Moses sets an example of how to approach repentance.
Q: How does this verse relate to the concept of repentance (teshuva)?
A: This verse demonstrates that even when people sin, they can appeal to Hashem's mercy through the merit of righteous ancestors and sincere repentance. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva) explains that teshuva is always possible, and Hashem considers our efforts to return.
Q: Why is this prayer important in Jewish tradition?
A: This prayer model is important because it shows how to approach Hashem - by recalling the merit of our righteous ancestors while honestly acknowledging our faults. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah) notes that Moses' prayer here saved the Jewish people from destruction after the sin of the golden calf.
Q: How can we apply this verse's message today?
A: We learn that even when we fall short, we can appeal to Hashem's mercy through the merit of our ancestors and our sincere efforts to improve. This gives hope and encourages teshuva, as the verse shows that Hashem listens to such heartfelt prayers, as explained in traditional Jewish sources.
Context of the Verse
This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy 9:27), where Moshe Rabbeinu pleads with Hashem not to destroy Bnei Yisrael after the sin of the Golden Calf. Moshe invokes the merit of the Avot—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov—as a basis for divine mercy, asking Hashem to overlook the people's stubbornness, wickedness, and sin.
Invoking the Merit of the Avot
Rashi explains that Moshe specifically mentions the Avot because their covenant with Hashem is eternal. The Midrash Tanchuma (Ki Tisa 10) elaborates that the Avot represent the foundation of the Jewish people, and their righteousness serves as a protective merit for their descendants. The Rambam in Hilchot Teshuvah (3:6) notes that the prayers of the righteous, including the Avot, have lasting power to invoke divine compassion.
The Threefold Plea: Stubbornness, Wickedness, and Sin
Moshe’s Strategy in Prayer
The Or HaChaim highlights that Moshe does not deny the severity of Bnei Yisrael's sins but instead shifts the focus to Hashem's covenant with the Avot. The Kli Yakar adds that Moshe emphasizes the Avot’s loyalty (Avodah, service) to contrast with the people’s disobedience, urging Hashem to judge them favorably in light of their ancestors' devotion.
Lessons for Divine Judgment
The Meshech Chochmah teaches that this verse underscores the principle of zechut Avot (merit of the ancestors), demonstrating that divine justice is tempered with mercy when considering the legacy of the righteous. The Netziv in Ha'amek Davar notes that Moshe’s plea serves as a model for all generations: even in times of failure, we must appeal to the enduring covenant of our forefathers.