Endnote 4 – Insight

Most classic Torah commentators say that Moses went among the people to bid them goodbye (Rambam, 1195–1270), to comfort and encourage the people (Sforno, 1475–1550), or to admonish them (Midrash Tanchuma, c. ninth century). However, Rabbi Asher Meir of Yeshiva Har Etzion points out (correspondence with author) that there is a midrash (Devarim Rabbah Vaetchanan) which suggests that Moses may have entered the land of Israel not as the leader but as the student of Joshua! Though even in this midrash Moses decides at the end not to cross into the land of Israel.