Pisqa’ 3341
1
“Then Moses came” (Dt.32:44)—
It is stated here:
“Then Moses came.”
But elsewhere it states:
“Then Moses went” (Dt.31:1)!
Now, it’s impossible to say that
“Moses came” because it is already stated:
“Moses went!” (Dt.32:44).
And it’s impossible to say that
“Moses went” because it is already stated:
“Then Moses came.”
On this basis, you can teach:
Moses’ successor2 came,
and his authority was given over to another.
“And he spoke all the words of this Song in the ears of the people” (Dt.32:44)—
This teaches that
Moses impressed the words upon their ears
[with his eloquence].”
2
“He and Hosea b. Nun” (Dt.32:44)—
Why do I need this?
Isn’t it already stated:
“And Moses named Hosea b. Nun Joshua” (Nu.13:16)?
What does the Teaching add by:
“He and Hosea b. Nun”?
to inform us about Joshua’s sober judgment (tzidqo).
Shall I infer that his head swelled
upon his appointment to authority?
The Teaching states:
“He and Hosea b. Nun” (Dt.32:44)—
Hosea retained his sobriety.
Even though he was appointed a provider over Israel,
in his sobriety he remained Hosea.
3
In the same vein, you can say:
“Now, Joseph was in Egypt” (Ex.1:5)—
Well, don’t we know that Joseph was in Egypt?
Actually, this informs us about Joseph’s sober judgment.
For “he had tended his father’s flock” (Gn.37:2).
Even though he would be appointed ruler in Egypt,
in his sobriety, he remained Joseph.
In the same vein, you can say:
“For David was the smallest” (haqatan;1Sam.17:14)—
Well, don’t we know that David was the smallest?
Actually, this informs us about David’s sobriety.
For “he had been tending his father’s flock” (1Sam.17:15).
Even though he would be appointed King over Israel,
in his humility (qotno), he remained David.