ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל
The Torah closes with a brief note of praise for the prophetic powers of Moshe Rabbeinu. Since his epitaph is “his strong hand,” a reference to his breaking the Luchos, Tablets, upon which were inscribed the Ten Commandments, it seems that this brave act was the climax of Moshe’s entire existence. Horav Eliyahu Munk, zl, perceives the lesson it conveys: A forceful, authoritative, gesture by a responsible leader can have a far greater beneficial effect than all of the preaching about orders or discipline. Moshe’s angry reaction instantly succeeded in setting the record straight. The people were in a quandary,…