Dear Friends,

In this week’s Torah portion, Devarim, Moses begins his final address to the Jewish people,

Our Sages are astonished, the same Moses who once said, “I am not a man of words” (Exodus 4:10), now delivers an entire book filled with words! What changed?

The answer lies in understanding the nature of spiritual growth. Moses’ humility was not self-doubt, it was self-nullification before God. At the beginning of his mission, he feared that his words would fall short. But after years of leading the people, enduring their struggles, and receiving the Torah, his words were no longer his own, they became vessels of divine truth. Only then could he speak freely and powerfully.

A beautiful story is told about the Tzemach Tzedek, the third Rebbe of Chabad. A chassid once complained to him, “Rebbe, I have no voice when I pray. I cannot pray aloud like the others.”.

The Rebbe replied, “If your prayer is coming from the heart, God hears it even when others do not. But know this, when you speak words filled with truth, the world makes space to listen.”

Moses teaches us that real leadership is not about eloquence, but about integrity. When we speak from a place of humility, rooted in truth and responsibility, our words gain weight. In our homes, our schools, and our communities, the most powerful words are not the loudest, but the most sincere.

As we approach Tisha B’Av and recall the destruction caused by baseless hatred and careless speech, may we take Moses’ example to heart, speaking with purpose, listening with empathy, and rebuilding with love. 

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Zushe Cunin