As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And by what then will it be known that I have found favor in Your eyes?” (33:16)

Moshe Rabenu was the greatest man to ever walk the face of this earth. His greatness was dependent on the piety of Bnei Yisrael. When the sin of the Golden Calf is committed, Hashem orders Moshe to “Go down, for the People whom you have brought out of Egypt have become corrupt.” Since the greatness of Bnei Yisrael was mitigated by committing a sin, so was Moshe’s greatness lessened. His greatness is resulting from the elevated holiness of the Jewish Nation.

Hashem tells Moshe, “And now let me alone and I shall destroy them.” (32:10) This means, “Don’t let me alone” and continue to intercede on behalf of the people (Berachot 32A). Moshe is successful with his prayers and Hashem rescinds the decree. By this act of entreating for Israel, Moshe gained the highest excellence and achieved for himself and for his people more than ever before. The Golden Calf had been intended for this.

At this point, after pleading for the lives of his people and with his back to the wall, Moshe feels it is a moment for great opportunity. Moshe asks Hashem:

• to rest His presence solely upon Israel, as it is said, “Is it not by Your going with us?”
• not to rest His presence upon the nations, as it is said, “And we should be set apart, I and Your people”
• that he be made known the ways of Hashem, as it is said, “Make known to me Your ways”

And Hashem granted all three requests (Berachot 7A).

We can learn from Moshe that even though we may think that we are in low and weak position emotionally, financially or spiritually, this can be an excellent opportunity for us to shoot high and ask for what you need and count on Hashem (Bitachon). He is our loving Father who is just waiting and hoping and prodding us to call out and just ask.

Rabbi Miller ZT”L is teaching us a tremendous Mussar learned from Moshe Rabbenu. Moshe was at the weakest position of his career, since the source of his greatness/power was Klal Yisrael. And now they had made the most terrible sin of the Egel/Golden Calf. Then, Hashem tells Moshe “Lech red”/get down from your greatness. (Rashi)

Normally when we have challenges we can tend to lay low, or even hide under the covers. Moshe did the opposite; He asked Hashem for 3 very strong requests & was granted them all.

The problem IS the solution. When we understand that the source of our challenge is our Father in heaven and that He is sending us these tests because he wants to hear from us, in order that we get closer to Hashem! This is the solution. The problem was that our connection was loose and Hashem sent us the problem which became the solution since it caused us to make our connection better by calling out to Hashem. So the best opportunity to ask Hashem for all you need can be when you are down.

Shabbat Shalom

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