Sefer Debarim is a collection of Moshe Rabbenu's words to his beloved people. Our Rabbis of blessed memory commented that the first verse "These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Israel" (Debarim 1,1) denotes words of rebuke. Five weeks before his death our faithful shepherd, Moshe Rabbenu, reminds the Jewish people of the sins they performed in various places in the wilderness.
If we would have to guess what the words that our leader would communicate to his Jewish nation weeks before his death would be, would we ever imagine that they would be words of rebuke? Moreover, if he had some "words" to share with Bene Yisrael. of misdeeds that happened years prior, why wait?
As parents, friends, spouses and other similar roles, we find ourselves in the position of having to rebuke. In fact, the Torah tells us that we have an obligation to rebuke our fellow man. (Wayyiqra 19,17)
Let us explore what rebuke is all about based on the actions of Moshe Rabbenu 'a"h. Hakham Yoseph Hayyim 'a"h explains that from the fact that Moshe Rabbenu spoke to all Israel, we learn the important lesson of how careful we must be not to embarrass the "sinner". Moshe Rabbenu made a point of gathering all of Israel, even though, different groups transgressed in different areas. Although they were not all to be blamed for every single transgression, they were all present. This is how nobody was put to shame.
In addition, the Ohr Ha'Hayyim Ha'qadosh expounds on the question of why it was done at that particular time. Why wait till now to mention the sins that took place years ago? Moshe Rabbenu 'a"h waited for the right opportunity and for the right time for his words to be accepted by the Jewish people and penetrate their hearts.
My dear friends, let us take these powerful lessons to heart. When we want to "tell off" our children, siblings, friend, or our husbands, let us speak with love and not out of anger or frustration. Let us find the right time, so our words have an effect and not build resentment. And never ever put someone to shame or embarrass them in front of others.
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