Chazal (Sotah 14A) teach that the evil Roman monarchy sent messengers to the people of Bais Pe’or with the request that they show them where Moshe Rabbeinu is buried. As the men stood above on the upper section of the mountain, it appeared to them as if the grave were below in the lower section. As they stood below, it appeared to them that it was in the upper section. They then divided into two groups – one above and one below. Once again, each group thought they saw the grave on the opposite side. This fulfilled the statement that no one knows the location of Moshe’s grave. How are we to understand Chazal?
Horav Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg, zl offers a homiletic understanding of Chazal. While it may be homiletic, the lesson we can derive is clear and foundational. The Romans wondered: Where is Moshe buried? Is he gone, no longer guiding the Jews, his inspiration and impact dissipated over time? They first focused on the “upper” echelons of Jewish circles; people whose material success and leadership abilities placed them at the forefront of Jewish life. Certainly, they had forgotten about Moshe — he is buried, gone forever from their lives. They were wrong. Moshe still thrived among the Jewish elite. Torah is being studied, acts of tzedakah and chesed are staples of their Jewish lifestyle. They may live well, but Torah, avodah, and gemilas chasadim are at the forefront of their lives’ mission.
The Romans then turned their sights to the lower part of the nation, individuals whose material existence is a constant challenge, to whom poverty and deprivation have sadly become a way of life. Perhaps this is where Moshe is buried. How wrong they were! Regardless of the challenges to which these people are subject, the Torah is very much a part of their lives. Moshe Rabbeinu is not buried there either.
The grave of Moshe is not to be found, because Moshe never truly died. He lives on in the hearts, minds and Torah observance of Klal Yisrael. You will not find his grave, because he is not buried.
Some suggest that the Torah which Moshe delivered has become as extinct as its giver. Nothing could be further from the truth. While Moshe’s resting place remains hidden, his legacy is anything but concealed. The Torah that he transmitted to the Jewish people remains vibrantly alive, studied in countless batei midrash, taught from parent to child, and observed by Jews across the globe.
Indeed, the very fact that Moshe’s grave is unknown may prevent our focus from resting upon a monument of stone and direct it instead toward his enduring monument – the Torah itself. Moshe’s physical presence continues to animate the life of our nation. Every Torah thought studied, every mitzvah performed, and every Jewish child taught the words of Torah testifies that Moshe’s influence remains as powerful as ever.
The righteous continue to live through their descendants and their accomplishments. Hashem gave Klal Yisrael the Torah, with Moshe Rabbeinu serving as His medium. Toras Moshe – the Torah of Moshe! Does one need a greater achievement by which to be remembered? Veritably, Moshe’s burial place is hidden from human eyes, but his legacy is visible whenever Torah is learned and lived.
The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos (5:8) teaches that Moshe Rabbeinu’s grave was created on the first Erev Shabbos, bein ha’shemashos, twilight. Chazal suggest a number of reasons. This morning, I had reason to share a “lighter” (humorous, but sad) exposition from Rabbi Yitzchak (Irving) Bunim, zl. I was giving a talk to a group of not-yet observant Jews with whom I have been learning for years. I shared with them the insight suggesting that Moshe Rabbeinu’s monument is Jewish observance. Someone piped up, “Are you implying that our lack of observance creates a tomb for Moshe?” I responded with Rabbi Bunim’s interpretation of the idea of “creating Moshe’s tomb during the twilight before the first Shabbos.” He says, “Should you enter a Jewish home on Friday toward evening, when it is time to light the Shabbos candles, and you find the lady of the house beginning to cook, or she is playing cards (it was popular sixty years ago), one may be certain that, at that moment, “Moshe’s burial place is being made.” In her own way, ignoring the Torah and mitzvah of Shabbos, this woman is helping to prepare for the burial of Moshe’s teachings. When a place of business is still open at twilight on Friday evening, the machines humming, the cash register ringing, the employees still at their posts working busily, in that instant, a tomb is being created: his life-giving Torah is being sent into oblivion. While this is not the intention of Chazal, it is an interpretation that gives us a thought to consider.
