Rashi attributes Moshe and Aharon’s sin to their non-compliance with Hashem’s original command to speak to the rock. Instead, they chose to strike the rock. The actual change did not elicit the punishment. It was, as Rashi explains, their failure to take advantage of an opportunity for increased Kiddush Hashem, sanctification of Hashem’s Name. Had Moshe spoken to the rock, Bnei Yisrael would have made a kal v’chomer, an fortiori argument. They would have reasoned: If a stone that does not receive reward or punishment listens to Hashem’s command, should not we surely do so? Horav Simcha Zissel Broide, Shlita,…
