So Close You Can See It

How many times in your life have you worked so hard for something to have it come within your reach, and miss it by seconds? The feelings you have for all your work, time and effort only to miss the brass ring.

So imagine someone who has made a 40 year effort toward a goal, only to be told that you will not be able to have the one thing you yearn for. This is what happened to Moses.

It's the 7th day of Adar, 2488, the last day of Moshe's life. Exactly 120 years earlier the world was graced with the birth of a child who brought redemption to his people and the light of Torah to the world. He became a prophet of unparalleled greatness who led his nation through a miraculous 40 year journey to the edge of the promised land.

And we think we have it tough. We live in a world where everything is easy, and instantaneous. Moshe waited all his life to enter Jerusalem, only to learn he would die before setting foot in the Promised Land. Yet still, he continued to do the work of Hashem, and prepare the Jewish people for what lay ahead.

Today we are not strong enough to stand on our own. We need agencies, government, talking heads, newspapers, etc. to tell us what to do, where to go, what to think, how to live. Still we claim we are standing on our own. We're independent modern society of people who make our own choices. Yeah, right.

Our world would be so much better off if we lived by the example Moshe set.

• Don't be selfish
• Think of others before yourself
• Trust and love G-d
• Do what is right
• Have a love of self from knowing who you are, and where you are going.

This week is Shabbos Shuva, and the Parsha is Vayeilech.