July 27, 2017 / 4 Av, 5777 • Parshat Devarim
Issue 466
Dedicated in loving memory of Mrs. Miriam Friedman

Devarim

Moses reminded the Jewish people that when they were at Mount Sinai, G-d instructed him to share the responsibility of resolving their lawsuits with a system of judges. The people readily accepted this plan, but not for the right reasons: they hoped to be able to influence the rulings of judges of lesser moral caliber than Moses.

Moses told the Jewish people at Mount Sinai "How can i bear your trouble, your burden, and your strife all by myself?" (Deuteronomy 1:12)

The Load Always Fits the Camel

We are all charged with the same mission as Moses: to educate and lead ourselves - as well as those over whom we have influence - in the way of the Torah. If we wonder how we can bear such a heavy responsibility, we should recall that when Moses asked G-d the same question, G-d immediately provided him with a practical solution. Just as G-d gave Moses the means to fulfill his mission, G-d gives us the means and resources to fulfill our Divine mission, regardless of how difficult or overwhelming our responsibilities may appear to be.

From Kehot's Daily Wisdom