The Education of God and the Waters of Meribah
In Moses, Theodicy and Parashat Ha'azinu by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Why was Moshe denied entry into the Promised Land for striking a rock? Was this really such a terrible sin? Or have we misunderstood the entire episode?
Perhaps Moshe’s mistake was not that he challenged God, but that he failed to challenge Him soon enough. What if the story of the waters of Meribah is really about something far more daring: a God who wants human beings to argue with Him, question Him, and even help “educate” Him?
And perhaps Moshe’s greatest disappointment at the end of his life was, paradoxically, his final blessing.
