Va'eschanan

Parshas Va'eschanan begins with Moshe's plea to Hashem to rescind the decree denying him access to Eretz Yisrael. Moshe's plea is a personal one. Why doesn't Moshe resort to a communal plea? The medrash informs us that while Moshe was on Har Sinai receiving the Today's he witnessed a Shiur being given by Rabbi Akiva. Distraught by his inability to comprehend the discussion, Moshe asks why the Torah is not being given through the great Rabbi Akiva. Only when he hears a debate finalized with the term halachah l'Moshe misinai is he comforted. Moshe is the premier and optimal teacher of Torah. Why doesn't Moshe request entry into the Land to benefit Bnei Yisrael rather than merely for himself? Moshe informs Bnei Yisrael that immediately following his plea Hashem became angry with him because of Bnei Yisrael - vayisaber Hashem be l'maanchem. The end of the verse implies that Hashem's anger was not due to the original sin but rather due to the request. Vayomeir Hashem ailaiy rav lach al tohsef dabeir ailay od badavar hazeh. The anger was due to Moshe's personal request so why are Bnei Yisrael being blamed? Later in the parsha Moshe tells of the events surrounding Matan Torah. In introducing the awesome occasion and special opportunity, Moshe describes the Torah as aish - fire. The term aish is used to describe the Torah fourteen times in this parsha. Why is that the term chosen? When one throws a piece of metal into a fire, the metal does not burn. It gets hot, it might soften or harden but it does not burn. If one throws a piece of wood onto a fire in a short time it will burn. Paper will burn even quicker and straw almost immediately. The fire is no different for each of these items. The reaction is different not because the fire is different but rather because the items are different. Ultimately, the result is dependent upon the combustibility of the item. Similarly, the Torah acts as a fire. Its impact is dependent upon the willingness of the individual to be impacted by the fire. The more a person is willing to be influenced and guided by Torah, the greater the impact. Moshe is emphasizing this lesson to Bnei Yisrael. Understanding this idea leads Moshe to a personal request rather than a communal one. Emphasizing the ability for each individual to control Torah's impact on his or her life, defines the power of the individual to achieve the greatest growth in Torah. Although Moshe is unquestionably the greatest Teacher, the ultimate impact and influence that Torah has is dependent on us as individuals. How willing are we to be completely enveloped in Torah? Moshe is not blaming Bnei Yisrael for the denial of his request to enter Eretz Yisrael, he is complimenting them. Moshe recognizes that he cannot make a communal plea because the individuals in the community can reach greatness through their own efforts, irrespective of the awesome and incomparable teaching and influence of Moshe Rabbeinui. His claim must be a personal one and that is the one that is denied. At this tome too, Moshe Rabbeinu teaches us the formula to assuring that Toras Moshe remains with us forever.