For striking the rock instead of speaking to it, and despite his supplications, Moses will not cross into the Promised Land. After charging the Children of Israel to keep all Hashem’s commandments so that they may live long when they enter it under Joshua, we are told that he established three cities of sanctuary on the east of the Jordan, in lands which would be settled by the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh.
Moses’s end is near. He will not complete his mission. One might wonder why he embarks on a project he will not see through. Under the circumstances, why does this verse follow a promise of longevity?
The Talmud commends Moses for taking action.
Imagine, says Rabbi Nachman, a parched wanderer in a desert who finds a tree offering shade and moist fruit. Relieved and assuaged, how should he bless the tree? He might say “May your fruit be sweet”, “May your shade be pleasant”, “May you be nourished by a flowing stream”. All are beautiful sentiments, but each is looking for no more than a continuation of what already exists.
