V'eschanan

LET ME PLEASE CROSS OVER AND SEE THE GOOD LAND OVER THE JORDAN, THIS GOOD MOUNTAIN AND THE LEBANON (Devarim 4:25).

Since Moshe is asking to enter the Land, what is added by requesting to "see" it?  Obviously he would then see it!  


Moshe is pleading that his seeing would be a benefit to the Jewish people.  Seeing the Land from a "good"perspective, resulting from his blessing, will enhance the nation's security.  But G-d in His wisdom has His own reasons for  allowing the Jews to be vulnerable to exile (Sforno).

Although Moshe was not permitted to enter the Land, we can learn from here the great value in having a positive outlook.

Another possible answer is that Moshe was hoping to see the Land even if refused entry.  This part of the request was actually granted (4:27).

LEST YOU LIFT YOUR EYES TOWARDS THE SKY AND SEE THE SUN, MOON AND STARS, ALL THE HEAVENLY HOST, AND BE SWEPT INTO BOWING AND SERVING THOSE THAT G-D YOUR L-RD HAS APPORTIONED TO ALL THE NATIONS (Devarim 4:19).

Surely G-d does not permit non-Jews to worship stars!  In what sense did He apportion the luminaries to them?


Rashi says, He has given them for light to the nations.

Ramban: The nations are guided by the natural forces, on earth and above.  The Jewish people are guided by G-d directly.

Rav Hirsch: The luminaries do not rule over the nations.  Rather, the nations are instructed to use physical forces for human progress.  But G-d is the master of these forces, which must be used by man only according to His will.  The nations must be careful not to become slaves to nature.

REMEMBER THAT YOU WERE SLAVES IN EGYPT AND G-D YOUR L-RD TOOK YOU OUT FROM THERE WITH A STRONG HAND AND OUTSTRETCHED ARM.  THEREFORE G-D YOUR L-RD COMMANDED YOU TO KEEP THE SHABBOS DAY (5:15).

What does slavery and Exodus have to do with Shabbos?  We keep Shabbos to testify that G-d created the world and rested on the seventh day!


The Exodus is evidence of a Creator.  The wonders He did show the world exists according to His will and He can overpower nature.  This is the idea of Shabbos (Ramban).

DO THEM  [COMMANDMENTS] IN THE LAND I GIVE THEM TO POSSESS (6:28).

G-d's commandments apply everywhere on earth.  Why does Torah stress that the mitzvos must be fulfilled when in the Land of Israel?


Laws of justice are necessary to establish the Jewish settlement in the Land.  Also, some commandments apply only in the Land.  Furthermore, the essential fulfillment of any mitzva is in the Land (Ramban 4:5).


The Land does not have value apart from the realization of Torah.  The Land is for the commandments (Rav Hirsch).

So Rav Hirsch is saying the Land is only for the commandments, and Ramban is saying the commandments are (ultimately) only for the Land.