Dvar Torah - Devarim 5784

At the beginning of the parsha, Moshe informs us what occurred earlier at the time he first began appointing judges: “I said to you at that time, saying, ‘I cannot carry you alone.’ (Devarim 1:9).” Simply, Moshe said that he was incapable of handling the burden of judging all the conflicts that took place among the Jewish people. Rashi says that Moshe could not have meant this. Moshe was the single leader who brought the Jewish people out of Egypt, split the Red Sea for them, brought down the manna in the desert, and produced the quails. Moshe certainly could have judged the entire Jewish people. If that is true, then why did Moshe say: “I cannot carry you alone?”

Rav Moshe Feinstein, ZT”L explains that when Moshe said לא אוכל (I am unable), it did not mean that Moshe was physically incapable of judging all the people. As Rashi explains, he was capable of judging all the people by himself.  Nevertheless, he was unable to judge the people alone because Hashem forbid him from doing so. Why did Hashem forbid Moshe from judging the people alone?

Rav Moshe explains that people need a role model that they can aspire to emulate. If Moshe would have taken on judging the people by himself, the people would have despaired because they never could have achieved the ability to judge like Moshe. Therefore, Hashem forbid Moshe from judging alone and commanded that judges be appointed at all levels. In that way everyone, irrespective of one’s natural ability, could develop a positive mindset and aspire to be some type of judge, even if it was only a judge of fifty or even ten. Once that goal is attained, then one will be encouraged to achieve even greater heights.

Everyone has the capability of personal growth and achievement. When one develops a positive mindset, then one can build upon the achievement of even a minor accomplishment as an impetus to achieve greater heights. When trying to undertake a difficult task, such as becoming a judge, learning the Talmud or developing one’s character, one needs to focus first on smaller accomplishments. Even the success of reaching a minor goal helps to foster in ourselves the ability to achieve more. Over time, we can elevate ourselves from each minor success to greater and greater achievements. In that way each of us, gradually and in our own way, can achieve personal greatness.