The Inspiring Legacy of Moses, Our Greatest Prophet

Moses, Our Master, the greatest of prophets. Here are some insights into his esteemed character, which is truly beyond description.

1. Moses son of Amram was the 'master of the prophets,' chosen by Hashem to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, transmit the Torah, and lead them through the desert. Born during Israel's enslavement in Egypt, his mother was 130 years old at his birth. Rabbeinu Bahya writes that Hashem 'prepares' the deliverer of Israel, hence 'the chapter of the redeemer (Moses' birth) is aligned with the chapter of oppression and exile, to illustrate that Hashem provides a remedy for the affliction.'

2. Moses was raised as a prince in Pharaoh's house. The Torah offers few details of his life, except in select instances, one being his departure from Pharaoh's palace: 'And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren.' Rashi explains - having reached a position of greatness, Pharaoh made him overseer of his house; thus, he held a royal role in the Egyptian palace. Yet, he chose to witness the suffering of Israel, because he was informed of his Jewish heritage and desired to see them, as they were his brethren. Realizing their toil and distress, he could not bear their plight (Ramban) and set his heart to commiserate with them.

3. It is not uncommon to find someone willing to help their community or neighbors, but it's rare for someone of wealth, for instance, to truly feel a poor person's plight. The more distant one is relating to another's status, financially or communally, the harder empathy becomes. Yet Moses, despite his noble Egyptian upbringing, felt the pain of those enslaved, exemplifying 'love your neighbor as yourself.'

Rabbi Zamir Cohen – Why Did Moses Rebuke Israel Before His Passing?

4. Moses forsook royal privileges and authority, even his status as a prince, to personally see and enhance his empathy for his suffering brothers. He sought to bear their burdens, involving himself in their tribulations, paying no mind to his status as long as his brethren bore the heavy yoke of slavery.

5. The Torah describes how, the very next day, he returns to his suffering brethren ('And he went out the second day') and continued to empathize with them, lamenting, 'Woe unto you, who will give my life for yours,' putting his shoulder to aid the Israelites.

6. Perhaps it is this quality that made Hashem choose Moses as the leader, as he literally felt others' suffering, which is the essential quality for a leader to empathize with everyone's distress.

7. Similarly, "Nesivos Shalom" interprets the Midrash, where Hashem tells Moses, 'If you do not redeem them, no one else will.' The redemption depends on Moses' trait of complete self-nullification, devoid of ego, as the sages said: 'Twenty-four lepers and Moses was among them,' for the lepers are utterly broken, and Moses was even humbler. Hence, the redemption from Egypt required Moses' trait of total self-nullification before Hashem. From this, it appears that the foundation of personal and communal deliverance lies in this humility towards Hashem. May we merit this trait.

Rabbi Zamir Cohen – Moses Reveals How to Strengthen in Judaism: