104 Torah & Company

Vayelech
Death
Deuteronomy 31:14
And God said to Moses: Te days of your death are approaching.
Mihnah Berachot 2:6
Rabban Gamliel washed on the frst night afer his wife died. His
students said to him: Our teacher, you taught us that a mourner is
forbidden to wash. He said to them: I am not like others, for I am
fastidious.
Yeruhalmi Berachot 2:7
Once some sages were sitting discussing Torah under a certain fg tree.
Each day the owner of the fg tree would awaken early and gather the ripe
fgs. Tey said: Perhaps he suspects that we are taking his fgs. Let us
change our place.
Te next day the owner of the fg tree came and said to them: My
masters, you have deprived me of one of the commandments (aiding
Torah study) which you used to fulfll under my tree.
Te sages said to him: We feared perhaps you suspected us of taking
your fgs.
Te next morning he thought he would let them see why he picked the
fgs early. He waited until the sun shone upon them and his fgs became
worm-eaten.
At that time they said: Te owner of the fg tree knows when it is the
right time to pick a fg and he picks it at that time. So, too, God knows
when it is the right time to take righteous persons from the world, and at
that time He takes them.
Judith Z. Abrams 105
Discussion Questions
1. God tells Moses that his life is near its end. How does God tell
people that it is time to die? Can you see death as a gif rather than as a
punishment; a rest rather than a relegation to the dust?
2. Rabban Gamliel demonstrates here that the rules of mourning may be
customized, so to speak, to suit the needs of the mourner. What do you
think of Rabban Gamliel exempting himself from his own teaching? Is
there a value in maintaining general rules when specifc exemptions may
supersede them?
3. Tere is a time to be born and a time to die. Does Gods method of
gathering souls make sense to you? Does it make more sense afer some
time has passed afer the death of someone dear? Or does it remain an
unsolved mystery?