Moshe (Moses) in this weeks' portion implores God for permission to enter into Israel.  In the end, the request is denied.  Even as Moshe uses every possible argument, God declares that He would never ever step foot into the Holy Land.

Not only is Moshe destined never to come to Israel, even his remains, his bones, would not be buried there.  This in glaring contrast to Yosef (Joseph).  Although Yosef died in Egypt, when the Jews leave that country, they carry Yosef’s bones for burial in Israel.

One wonders why?  Why is Yosef buried in Israel while Moshe is not.  The Midrash takes up this question and responds:  Yosef while in Egypt was always identified as a Jew.  Note that when the butler suggests to Pharaoh that Yosef could interpret his dreams, he refers to Yosef as the na’ar ivri—the Hebrew lad.  (Genesis 41:12)  Having been identified as a Jew, Yosef was deemed worthy for burial in Israel.

Moshe on the other hand was not identified as a Jew.  In fact, Yitro’s (Jethro) daughters tell their father that ish Mitzri – an Egyptian man, saved us from the shepherds who were harassing us.  (Exodus 2:19)  Not being identified as a Jew, Moshe is denied burial in the Holy Land.

For me this Midrash brings to mind the days I spent visiting Israeli soldiers during the 1982 Lebanon War.  One soldier, Shimon ben Tzion from Kiryat Arba was burnt from head to toe.  Every day when visiting, I’d ask him to share a dvar Torah with me.  Finally, on the last day there, he offered to me the Midrash cited above. 

Looking into my eyes between his bandages, he asked:  “but why should Moshe have been punished for telling the truth?  Unlike Yosef who was born in Israel and, therefore, is identified as a Hebrew, Moshe was born in Egypt.  Thus, Moshe being identified as an Egyptian should not cast poor light upon him."

Turning himself even more to me, Shimon quoted Rabbi Kook of blessed memory, that no matter where a Jew is born, he is born in Israel.  This was Moshe’s mistake.  Although born in Egypt, he was existentially a sabra, born in Israel.  Here was this courageous soldier’s way of telling me as I was about ready to leave for the United States, to remain connected to Israel.

Years later, our son Dov interviewed Avital Sharansky for his elementary school class report.  Avital spent her Sabbath with our family during the days when she advocated on behalf of her imprisoned husband Natan.  Dov asked Avital, “Where were you born?”  Avital answered, “Israel.”  My young Dov was flabbergasted.  “But you’re from Russia, everyone knows that.”  Avital answered, “every Jew, no matter where born, was born in Israel.  And every Jew, no matter where that Jew is, is in Israel.” 

An important message to consider, especially these days, when so many of our people feel disconnected from Israel, afraid to travel to the Holy Land.  It reminds us of our challenge, to remain linked, to remain meshed with Israel, our homeland, forever especially during these difficult times.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Avi Weiss