The Words That Build - Five Lessons from Moshe Rabbenu on Rebuke, Love, and Leadership

 This week’sShabbat morning class explored one of the most surprising lessons in SeferDevarim. As Moshe Rabbenu delivers his final words to the Jewish people, hewaits until the very end of his life to offer rebuke. Why did he wait? Drawingon the teachings of Rabbi Amram Sananes, we discover that the Torah’s goal isnever simply to correct behavior—it is to build people. Through the examples ofYaakov and Reuven, the episode of the meraglim, the Dubno Maggid’s movingparable, and the unforgettable stories of Rav Shlomo Wolbe and Rav ElḥananWasserman, we learn that truth is heard only when it is wrapped in love,wisdom, and compassion.  Thisclass was delivered on Shabbat morning and, after a number of congregants askedthat it be made available, it was recorded after Shabbat for those who wishedto hear it again or share it with others. As we approach Tish’ah BeAv, may weall choose words that heal rather than hurt, encourage rather than discourage,and strengthen rather than divide. If sin’at ḥinam contributed to thedestruction of the Bet HaMikdash, then every act of ahavat ḥinam and every wordthat builds another person brings us one step closer to its rebuilding.