The mission of Moshe Rabbeinu on earth was complete. He blessed his nation and prayed for the people, and then, as Hashem’s faithful servant, he ascended the mountain, following Hashem’s directive. Hashem then showed him the entire length and breadth of Eretz Yisrael and the entire panorama of history which was connected to each place that he saw. The history of our people is intricately tied to our Land. Hashem showed Moshe Eretz Yisrael in its ups and downs, from the height of prosperity and good fortune to the oppression and persecution under future rulers.
Ramban writes that Hashem was aware of Moshe’s boundless love for Klal Yisrael. Thus, he sought to grant him great joy in his last moments on earth. This was achieved when He showed him the future home of His people. Horav Gedalyah Eismann, zl, underscores Moshe’s selfless love for Klal Yisrael. His entire life was spent caring for them: from the earliest moment when he refused to become their leader and spokesman to Pharaoh, because of the chance that it might offend his brother Aharon HaKohen; to risking his life to save a Jew from the hand of an Egyptian; to the forty-year sojourn in the wilderness with the constant challenges they presented to him – he was always there for them. Klal Yisrael was the major focus in his life.
Vayamas sham Moshe, “And Moshe died there.” “There” refers to the place where he received such joy, the place in which he saw the great gift that was being given to Klal Yisrael. How much he had prayed to enter Eretz Yisrael. The extreme love that he harbored for the Land was indescribable. How he yearned to cross that border, to kiss the earth. Sadly, he did not merit to see his dream achieve fruition. Yet, when he saw the Land that his nation would enjoy, Moshe negated his ani, “I”; he forgot about himself, his personal feelings. It was always about Klal Yisrael. It was here that Moshe received his greatest appellation: eved Hashem, servant of G-d. He was a true servant, inextricably bound up with his Master, to the extent that he did not live for himself. He lived completely for others. This gave him his greatest sense of joy.
