The Answer
When Moshe Rabbeinu saw that Hashem would allow Tzelafchad’s daughters to continue his legacy, he knew the time was ripe to ask Hashem that his own sons continue his legacy, and assume the mantle of leadership. Furthermore, Moshe davened a unique tefillah at this time - he prayed that any subsequent leader of Klal Yisroel should not be stopped in the midst of his mission, but should rather be given the strength to see it through. Moshe knew the pain of leaving his flock before their dreams were realized and he prayed that no other leaders would experience it. Hashem answered Moshe that it was Yehoshua who would succeed him, and Moshe responded with grace and humility. Not only that, but Moshe was so selfless, he gave Yehoshua everything he was able to help Yehoshua be successful his new mission. What is interesting is that after this series of events, the Torah lists the communal mussaf offerings of Shabbos and the Festivals. In explanation of this curious placement, Rashi comments that Hashem said to Moshe, “Before you command me regarding my children, command My children regarding me!” In other words, before you worry about the future leaders of the nation, let us teach them about the korbanos. The meaning of this lesson was that Moshe had led a nation whose belief system was built on the open miracles they were privy to. This inspired a great awe and belief in Hashem, but lacked the foundation of faith needed to trust Hashem going forward. Thus, when they were confronted with new challenges, the nation faltered. Moshe was their leader and gave every ounce of his being to guide and protect them in their journey from Mitzrayim through the Wilderness to Eretz Yisroel. He protected them, he sacrificed for them, he pleaded on their behalf. The reality is that if not for the greatness of Moshe Rabbeinu, the nation would not have survived; and Moshe knew this. He came now with a plea before Hashem that the leader of the nation always have the strength to overcome the complaints and the rebellions that would inevitably present themselves, and still have the strength to continue. Hashem replied with korbanos! Hashem told Moshe that it was now time to learn the lessons of the korbanos and thereby morph the nation into a people who can withstand any test to their faith! When one learns through the passage of the offerings and internalizes the hashkafos therein, he prepares himself to live a life of bitachon! When Klal Yisroel realize that Hashem is the true Giver, and all of the natural order of the world is but a coverup of His complete and total control over everything, they are ready to trust Him! This, Hashem told Moshe, is the answer. Not to hope to have a leader as great as Moshe who could pull the nation out of their pitfalls, but to build a nation with strong bitachon learned through korbanos and avoid these sins altogether! Now, with this new approach, we can see how integral the passage of korbanos is to our growth. This was Hashem’s chosen path to enable us to overcome the common pitfalls of a life without bitachon. We must run and study them! We must delve into the lessons contained within these passages, and take each one to heart, for they afford us with the foundation of strong bitachon that we crave. A Gut Shabbos! A Project of the YSI Alumni Association Written by R’ Moshe Weiss