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Numbers 27:12 - Moshe glimpses promised land afar

Numbers 27:12 - במדבר 27:12

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה עֲלֵה אֶל־הַר הָעֲבָרִים הַזֶּה וּרְאֵה אֶת־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to Moshe, Go up into this mount ῾Avarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Yisra᾽el.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Moshe aleh el-har ha'avarim hazeh u're'e et-ha'aretz asher natati livnei Yisra'el.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה עֲלֵ֛ה אֶל־הַ֥ר הָעֲבָרִ֖ים הַזֶּ֑ה וּרְאֵה֙ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה עֲלֵ֛ה אֶל־הַ֥ר הָעֲבָרִ֖ים הַזֶּ֑ה וּרְאֵה֙ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 32:48, where Hashem instructs Moshe to ascend Har Ha'Avarim (Mount Nebo) to see Eretz Yisrael before his passing. This occurs after Moshe's final address to Bnei Yisrael and the song of Ha'azinu.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 32:49) explains that "Har Ha'Avarim" is another name for Har Nevo, as it was situated "on the other side" (me'ever) of the Jordan River. He notes that Hashem showed Moshe the entire land from this vantage point, fulfilling the promise that he would see it, even if he could not enter.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (3:51), Rambam discusses how Moshe's vision of the land was not merely physical but also prophetic—a divine revelation allowing him to perceive the spiritual destiny of Bnei Yisrael in their inheritance.

Midrashic Insights

  • Devarim Rabbah (11:5) states that Hashem showed Moshe not only the land's geography but also its future—including the eras of the Judges, Kings, and the Beit HaMikdash.
  • Sifrei Devarim (Piska 338) emphasizes that this was a gesture of divine compassion, allowing Moshe to witness the fulfillment of his life's mission, even if he could not participate in it physically.

Symbolism of the Command

The Kli Yakar (Devarim 32:48) highlights that "see the land" implies a deeper understanding—Moshe was to internalize the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael and its role as the eternal homeland for the Jewish people. The act of seeing was a form of spiritual acquisition, ensuring his connection to the land despite his impending death.

Halachic Implications

The Ramban (Devarim 32:52) derives from this verse that even when one cannot physically attain a mitzvah (like Moshe entering the land), the effort and desire to fulfill it—symbolized by Moshe's ascent—are credited as if it were accomplished.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 34b
The verse is referenced in the discussion about Moses being shown the land of Israel before his death, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promise to the Israelites.
📖 Sanhedrin 90a
Mentioned in the context of discussing the resurrection of the dead, where Moses is shown the land as part of the divine promise that will be fulfilled in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hashem tell Moshe to see the land if he couldn't enter it?
A: According to Rashi, Hashem showed Moshe the land to comfort him before his death, allowing him to see the fulfillment of the promise to the Israelites. The Midrash explains that this was also to demonstrate that Moshe's leadership successfully brought the people to the border of Eretz Yisrael.
Q: What is Har Ha'Avarim (Mount Avarim) and why was it significant?
A: Har Ha'Avarim is identified by Rashi as Mount Nebo, overlooking the Land of Israel. It was significant because it provided a clear view of the entire land, symbolizing the completion of Moshe's mission to bring Bnei Yisrael to their inheritance, even though he couldn't enter himself.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Moshe being shown the land but not entering it?
A: The Rambam teaches that this episode demonstrates the importance of accepting Hashem's decree with humility. Even great leaders like Moshe must submit to divine will. The Talmud (Sotah 14a) also highlights that true leaders care more about their people's success than personal glory.
Q: Why does the verse say 'the land which I have given' if the Israelites hadn't entered yet?
A: Rashi explains that the use of past tense ('have given') emphasizes the certainty of Hashem's promise - it was as if the land was already theirs. This reflects the Jewish belief that when Hashem decrees something, it's considered done even before physically manifesting.
Q: How does this verse connect to Moshe's earlier prayer to enter Israel?
A: The Midrash relates that while Hashem didn't grant Moshe's request to physically enter, He partially answered the prayer by allowing Moshe to see the land. This teaches that sometimes prayers are answered in ways different than we expect, but still with divine compassion.