(Bamidbar 27:18) "And the L-rd said to Moses: Take ("kach) for yourself Joshua the son of Nun": "kach" connotes "seizing," for a friend is acquired only with great difficulty — whence they ruled: One should acquire a friend for himself to learn Scripture with him, to learn Mishnah with him, to eat with him, to drink with him, and to tell his secrets to him. And thus is it written (Koheleth 4:9) "Two are better than one … (12) and the three-fold cord is not soon sundered." The Holy Spirit responded to Moses: Set up an interpreter for Joshua, and have him ask, expound, and teach rulings in your lifetime, so that Israel not say to him: "In the lifetime of your teacher you did not speak, and now you (suddenly) speak?" Others say: he (Moses) lifted him from the ground and placed him between his knees, and Moses and Israel would lift their heads to hear the voice of Joshua. And this is what it said: "Blessed is the L-rd, who gave Torah to Israel by the hand of Moses our teacher."
R. Nathan says: Moses was saddened that one of his sons did not stand (in his place) — whereupon the L-rd said to him: Are the sons of your brother Aaron not like your sons? He, too, that I appoint over Israel will go and stand at Elazar's door (to learn from him). To what may this be compared? A king had a son fit for royalty and he took the (governance of the) kingdom from him and gave it to his lover, telling him: Though I gave you greatness, go and stand at my son's door. Likewise, the Holy One Blessed be He said to Joshua: Go and stand at the door of the sons of Elazar, viz. (Bamidbar 27:21) "And before Elazar the Cohein shall he (Joshua) stand." At that time the strength of Moses increased and he strengthened Joshua before the eyes of all of Israel, as it is written (Devarim 31:7) "And Moses called to Joshua and he said to him before the eyes of all of Israel: 'Be strong and firm!'" Behold, the people that I am giving you are still kids, still infants. Do not be censorious of what they do, for neither was their Master, viz. (Hoshea 11:1) "For Israel was a youth and I loved him," and (Song of Songs 1:8) "And graze your kids by the dwellings of the shepherds" — Take them into the shepherds' tents. Variantly: (Ibid.) "beikvei hatzon" — They were trodden down by the heel (ekev). "And graze your kids".
R. Yochanan b. Zakkai was once riding a donkey, his disciples walking behind, when he noticed a young girl gleaning barley-corn from under the hooves of the beasts of the Arabs. When she saw him, she covered herself with her hair, stood before him, and said to him: "My master, feed me." He asked: "Whose daughter are you?" She answered: "I am the daughter of Nakdimon ben Gurion. Do you not remember that you signed my kethubah?" R. Yochanan to his disciples: "I signed this one's kethubah, and I read 'one million golden dinars from her father's house, aside form those of her father-in-law.' Her entire household would not enter the Temple mount to bow down until they spread out soft sheets for them, after which they entered, bowed down, and returned to their houses, whereupon the paupers came and rolled them up (for themselves). All of my days I had read this verse — 'If you do not know, O fairest of the women, then go out in the footsteps of the sheep, and graze your kids ("gediyothayich") by the dwellers of the shepherds' — Read it not "gediyothayich," but "geviyothayich" ("your cadavers"). For as long as Israel does G-d's will, no nation can dominate them. But when they do not do G-d's will they are delivered into the hands of a lowly nation. And not that alone — but under the hooves of their beasts!"
In one year, three tzaddikim died — Moses, Aaron and Miriam, viz. (Zechariah 11:8) "And I lost the three shepherds in one month." Now did they die in one month? Did they not die in one year? But (the resolution is:) When Miriam died, the well was removed, and it returned in the merit of Moses and Aaron. When Aaron died, the pillar of cloud was removed, and both returned in the merit of Moses. When Moses died, the three were removed and did not return. At that time Israel was "naked" of everything," viz. (Song of Songs 8:8) "We have a little sister and she has no breasts." After Moses, there was no consolation for Israel. When Aaron died, all of Israel gathered to Moses and said to him "Where is Aaron your brother?" He answered: "G-d has secreted him for eternal life." They did not believe him and said to him: "We know you to be brusque. Maybe he said something objectionable and you imposed death upon him." What did the Holy One Blessed be He do? He took Aaron's litter and suspended it in the heaven of heavens, and the Holy One Blessed be He eulogized him, and the ministering angels answered after Him. And what did they say (Malachi 2:6) "The Torah of truth was in his mouth, and wrong was not found on his lips. In peace and uprightness did he walk with Me and many did he turn from sin."
When Moses died, the Holy One Blessed be He said to the angel of death: "Go and bring Me Moses' soul." He went and stood before him, whereupon Moses said: Where I sit, you have no right to stand, and you say "Give me your soul!" He rebuked him and he left scorned. The angel of death went and repeated Moses' words to the Almighty, who again said to the angel of death: "Go and bring Me Moses' soul." He went to his place and sought him, but he could not find him. He went to the Red Sea and said to it: Have you seen Moses? It answered: From the day that Israel crossed in my midst, I have not seen him. He went to the mountains and valley, and said to them: Have you seen Moses? They answered (Iyyov 28:23) "G-d understands its way" — G-d has secreted him for life in the world to come, and no one knows of him, viz. (Devarim 34:6) "And He (Himself) buried him in the valley, etc."
When Moses died, Joshua cried and screamed and mourned for him many days, until the Holy One Blessed be He said to him: Joshua, how long will you mourn him? Has he died only unto you alone? Has he not also died unto Me? For I have been in mourning from the day he died, viz. (Isaiah 22:12) "And the L-rd G-d called for crying and lamenting, etc." And, what is more, he is assured of life in the world to come, viz. (Devarim 31:16) "Behold, you shall lie down with your fathers."
(במדבר כז יח) וַיֹּאמֶר ה׳ אֶל מֹשֶׁה קַח לְךָ אֶת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן נוּן – קַח לְךָ גְּבַרְתָּן כְּמוֹתְךָ. קַח לְךָ אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא בִּלְקִיחָה, לְפִי שֶׁאֵין חָבֵר נִקְנֶה אֶלָּא בְּקָשֵׁי קְשָׁיִן. מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ: יִקְנֶה אָדָם חָבֵר לְעַצְמוֹ שֶׁיְּהֵא קוֹרֵא עִמּוֹ וְשׁוֹנֶה עִמּוֹ אוֹכֵל עִמּוֹ וְשׁוֹתֶה עִמּוֹ וְגוֹלֶה לוֹ סְתָרָיו, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (קהלת ד ט): ״טוֹבִים הַשְּׁנַיִם מִן הָאֶחָד״, (קהלת ד יב) ״וְהַחוּט הַמְשֻׁלָּשׁ לֹא בִמְהֵרָה יִנָּתֵק״. מֵשִׁיב הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְאוֹמֵר לוֹ לְמֹשֶׁה: תֵּן לוֹ תוּרְגְּמָן לִיהוֹשֻׁעַ וִיהֵא שׁוֹאֵל וְדוֹרֵשׁ וּמוֹרֶה הוֹרָיוֹת בְּחַיֶּיךָ, שֶׁכְּשֶׁתִּפָּטֵר מִן הָעוֹלָם לֹא יְהוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹמְרִים לוֹ: בְּחַיֵּי רַבְּךָ לֹא הָיִיתָ מְדַבֵּר וְעַכְשָׁיו אַתָּה מְדַבֵּר? וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: הֶעֱמִידוֹ מִן הָאָרֶץ וְהוֹשִׁיבוֹ בֵּין בִּרְכָּיו, וְהָיָה מֹשֶׁה וְיִשְׂרָאֵל מַגְבִּיהִים רָאשֵׁיהֶם לִשְׁמֹעַ דְּבָרָיו שֶׁל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ. מַה הָיָה אוֹמֵר? בָּרוּךְ ה׳ אֲשֶׁר נָתַן תּוֹרָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַל יְדֵי מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ. כָּךְ הָיוּ דְּבָרָיו שֶׁל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ.
(Bamidbar 27:18) "And the L-rd said to Moses: Take ("kach) for yourself Joshua the son of Nun": "kach" connotes "seizing," for a friend is acquired only with great difficulty — whence they ruled: One should acquire a friend for himself to learn Scripture with him, to learn Mishnah with him, to eat with him, to drink with him, and to tell his secrets to him. And thus is it written (Koheleth 4:9) "Two are better than one … (12) and the three-fold cord is not soon sundered." The Holy Spirit responded to Moses: Set up an interpreter for Joshua, and have him ask, expound, and teach rulings in your lifetime, so that Israel not say to him: "In the lifetime of your teacher you did not speak, and now you (suddenly) speak?" Others say: he (Moses) lifted him from the ground and placed him between his knees, and Moses and Israel would lift their heads to hear the voice of Joshua. And this is what it said: "Blessed is the L-rd, who gave Torah to Israel by the hand of Moses our teacher."
רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: הָיָה מֹשֶׁה מִתְעַצֵּב בְּלִבּוֹ שֶׁלֹּא עָמַד אֶחָד מִבָּנָיו. אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: בַּמָּה אַתָּה מִתְעַצֵּב בְּלִבְּךָ שֶׁלֹּא עָמַד אֶחָד מִבָּנֶיךָ? וַהֲלֹא בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ כְּאִלּוּ בָנֶיךָ הֵם. אַף אָדָם שֶׁאֲנִי מַעֲמִיד עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל יֵלֵךְ וְיַעֲמֹד עַל פִּתְחוֹ שֶׁל אֶלְעָזָר. מָשָׁל לְמָה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה, לְמֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ בֵּן וְלֹא הָיָה רָאוּי לַמַּלְכוּת, נָטַל הַמַּלְכוּת מִמֶּנּוּ וּנְתָנוֹ לְבֶן אוֹהֲבוֹ. אָמַר לוֹ: אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנָּתַתִּי לְךָ גְּדֻלָּה, לֵךְ וַעֲמֹד עַל פִּתְחוֹ שֶׁל בְּנִי. כָּךְ אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִיהוֹשֻׁעַ: אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנָּתַתִּי לְךָ גְּדֻלָּה, לֵךְ וַעֲמֹד עַל פִּתְחוֹ שֶׁל אֶלְעָזָר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר כז כא): ״וְלִפְנֵי אֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן יַעֲמֹד״. בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה נִתְגַּבֵּר כֹּחוֹ שֶׁל מֹשֶׁה וְהָיָה מְחַזֵּק אֶת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ לְעֵינֵי כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים לא ז): וַיִּקְרָא מֹשֶׁה לִיהוֹשֻׁעַ וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו לְעֵינֵי כָל יִשְׂרָאֵל חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ. אָמַר לוֹ: עַם זֶה שֶׁאֲנִי מוֹסֵר לְךָ עֲדַיִן גְּדָיִים הֵם, עֲדַיִן תִּינוֹקוֹת הֵם, אַל תַּקְפִּיד עֲלֵיהֶם עַל כָּל מַה שֶּׁהֵם עוֹשִׂים, שֶׁאַף רִבּוֹנָם לֹא הִקְפִּיד עֲלֵיהֶם עַל כָּל מַה שֶּׁעָשׂוּ, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (הושע יא א): ״כִּי נַעַר יִשְׂרָאֵל וָאֹהֲבֵהוּ״. רַבִּי נְחֶמְיָה אוֹמֵר: אֵין לִי רְשׁוּת, הָא יֵשׁ לִי רְשׁוּת אַכְנִיסֵם בְּצַד אָהֳלֵי רוֹעִים שֶׁיְּהוּ יוֹשְׁבִים בּוֹ.
R. Nathan says: Moses was saddened that one of his sons did not stand (in his place) — whereupon the L-rd said to him: Are the sons of your brother Aaron not like your sons? He, too, that I appoint over Israel will go and stand at Elazar's door (to learn from him). To what may this be compared? A king had a son fit for royalty and he took the (governance of the) kingdom from him and gave it to his lover, telling him: Though I gave you greatness, go and stand at my son's door. Likewise, the Holy One Blessed be He said to Joshua: Go and stand at the door of the sons of Elazar, viz. (Bamidbar 27:21) "And before Elazar the Cohein shall he (Joshua) stand." At that time the strength of Moses increased and he strengthened Joshua before the eyes of all of Israel, as it is written (Devarim 31:7) "And Moses called to Joshua and he said to him before the eyes of all of Israel: 'Be strong and firm!'" Behold, the people that I am giving you are still kids, still infants. Do not be censorious of what they do, for neither was their Master, viz. (Hoshea 11:1) "For Israel was a youth and I loved him," and (Song of Songs 1:8) "And graze your kids by the dwellings of the shepherds" — Take them into the shepherds' tents. Variantly: (Ibid.) "beikvei hatzon" — They were trodden down by the heel (ekev). "And graze your kids".
וּמַעֲשֶׂה בְּרַבָּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי שֶׁהָיָה רוֹכֵב עַל גַּבֵּי הַחֲמוֹר וְהָיוּ תַּלְמִידָיו מְהַלְּכִים אַחֲרָיו, וְרָאָה רִיבָה אַחַת מְלַקֶּטֶת שְׂעוֹרִים מִתַּחַת רַגְלֵי בְהֶמְתָּם שֶׁל עַרְבִיִּים. כֵּיוָן שֶׁרָאֲתָה אֶת רַבָּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי נִתְעַטְּפָה בִּשְׂעָרָהּ וְעָמְדָה לְפָנָיו, וְאָמְרָה לוֹ: רַבִּי, פַּרְנְסֵנִי! אָמַר לָהּ: בַּת מִי אַתְּ? אָמְרָה לוֹ: בִּתּוֹ שֶׁל נַקְדִּימוֹן בֶּן גּוּרְיוֹן אֲנִי. אָמְרָה לוֹ: רַבִּי, זָכוּר אַתָּה כְּשֶׁחָתַמְתָּ בִּכְתֻבָּתִי? אָמַר לָהֶם רַבָּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי לְתַלְמִידָיו: אֲנִי חָתַמְתִּי עַל כְּתֻבָּתָהּ שֶׁל זוֹ, וְהָיִיתִי קוֹרֵא בָהּ אֶלֶף אֲלָפִים דִּינָרֵי זָהָב שֶׁל בֵּית חָמִיהָ, וְשֶׁל בֵּית רִיבָה זוֹ לֹא הָיוּ נִכְנָסִים לְהִשְׁתַּחֲווֹת בְּהַר הַבַּיִת עַד שֶׁהָיוּ פּוֹרְסִים לָהֶם כְּלֵי מִילַת תַּחַת רַגְלֵיהֶם, נִכְנָסִים וּמִשְׁתַּחֲוִים וְחוֹזְרִים לְבָתֵּיהֶם בְּשִׂמְחָה, וְכָל יָמַי בִּקַּשְׁתִּי מִקְרָא זֶה וּמְצָאתִיו (שה״ש א ח): אִם לֹא תֵדְעִי לָךְ הַיָּפָה בַּנָּשִׁים צְאִי לָךְ בְּעִקְבֵי הַצֹּאן וּרְעִי אֶת גְּדִיֹּתַיִךְ עַל מִשְׁכְּנוֹת הָרֹעִים, אַל תְּהִי קוֹרֵא גְּדִיֹּתַיִךְ אֶלָּא ״גְּוִיּוֹתַיִךְ״, שֶׁכָּל זְמַן שֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשִׂים רְצוֹנוֹ שֶׁל מָקוֹם אֵין כָּל אֻמָּה וּמַלְכוּת שׁוֹלֶטֶת בָּהֶם, וּכְשֶׁאֵין יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשִׂים רְצוֹנוֹ שֶׁל מָקוֹם מוֹסְרָם בְּיַד אֻמָּה שְׁפֵלָה, וְלֹא בְּיַד אֻמָּה שְׁפֵלָה אֶלָּא תַּחַת רַגְלֵי בְהֶמְתָּם שֶׁל אֻמָּה שְׁפֵלָה.
R. Yochanan b. Zakkai was once riding a donkey, his disciples walking behind, when he noticed a young girl gleaning barley-corn from under the hooves of the beasts of the Arabs. When she saw him, she covered herself with her hair, stood before him, and said to him: "My master, feed me." He asked: "Whose daughter are you?" She answered: "I am the daughter of Nakdimon ben Gurion. Do you not remember that you signed my kethubah?" R. Yochanan to his disciples: "I signed this one's kethubah, and I read 'one million golden dinars from her father's house, aside form those of her father-in-law.' Her entire household would not enter the Temple mount to bow down until they spread out soft sheets for them, after which they entered, bowed down, and returned to their houses, whereupon the paupers came and rolled them up (for themselves). All of my days I had read this verse — 'If you do not know, O fairest of the women, then go out in the footsteps of the sheep, and graze your kids ("gediyothayich") by the dwellers of the shepherds' — Read it not "gediyothayich," but "geviyothayich" ("your cadavers"). For as long as Israel does G-d's will, no nation can dominate them. But when they do not do G-d's will they are delivered into the hands of a lowly nation. And not that alone — but under the hooves of their beasts!"
בְּשָׁנָה אַחַת מֵתוּ שְׁלֹשָׁה צַדִּיקִים, מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן וּמִרְיָם, שׁוּב לֹא מָצְאוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל נַחַת רוּחַ אַחֲרֵי מֹשֶׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (זכריה יא ח): ״וָאַכְחִיד אֶת שְׁלֹשֶׁת הָרֹעִים בְּיֶרַח אֶחָד״, וְכִי בְּיֶרַח אֶחָד מֵתוּ? וַהֲלֹא בְּשָׁנָה אַחַת מֵתוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים מז י): ״נְדִיבֵי עַמִּים נֶאֱסָפוּ עַם אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם״, אֶלָּא מֵתָה מִרְיָם – בָּטְלָה הַבְּאֵר, וְחָזְרָה בִּזְכוּת מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן; מֵת אַהֲרֹן – בָּטַל עַמּוּד עָנָן, וְחָזְרוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם בִּזְכוּת מֹשֶׁה; מֵת מֹשֶׁה – בָּטְלוּ שְׁלָשְׁתָּם וְלֹא חָזְרוּ. בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה הָיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל נְפוֹצִים וַעֲרוּמִּים מִכָּל מִצְוֹת, נִתְקַבְּצוּ כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵצֶל מֹשֶׁה וְאָמְרוּ לוֹ: אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ הֵיכָן הוּא? אָמַר לָהֶם: אֱלֹהִים גְּנָזוֹ לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. וְלֹא הָיוּ מַאֲמִינִים לוֹ, אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אָנוּ יוֹדְעִים בְּךָ שֶׁאַכְזָרִי אַתָּה, שֶׁמָּא אָמַר לְפָנֶיךָ דָּבָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ הָגוּן וְקָנַסְתָּ עָלָיו מִיתָה? מֶה עָשָׂה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא? הֵבִיא מִטָּתוֹ שֶׁל אַהֲרֹן וּתְלָאָהּ בִּשְׁמֵי שָׁמַיִם, וְהָיָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עוֹמֵד בְּהֶסְפֵּד עָלָיו, וּמַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת עוֹנִים אַחֲרָיו, וּמַה הָיוּ אוֹמְרִים (מלאכי ב ו): ״תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת הָיְתָה בְּפִיהוּ וְעַוְלָה לֹא נִמְצָא בִשְׂפָתָיו בְּשָׁלוֹם וּבְמִישׁוֹר הָלַךְ אִתִּי וְרַבִּים הֵשִׁיב מֵעָוֹן״.
In one year, three tzaddikim died — Moses, Aaron and Miriam, viz. (Zechariah 11:8) "And I lost the three shepherds in one month." Now did they die in one month? Did they not die in one year? But (the resolution is:) When Miriam died, the well was removed, and it returned in the merit of Moses and Aaron. When Aaron died, the pillar of cloud was removed, and both returned in the merit of Moses. When Moses died, the three were removed and did not return. At that time Israel was "naked" of everything," viz. (Song of Songs 8:8) "We have a little sister and she has no breasts." After Moses, there was no consolation for Israel. When Aaron died, all of Israel gathered to Moses and said to him "Where is Aaron your brother?" He answered: "G-d has secreted him for eternal life." They did not believe him and said to him: "We know you to be brusque. Maybe he said something objectionable and you imposed death upon him." What did the Holy One Blessed be He do? He took Aaron's litter and suspended it in the heaven of heavens, and the Holy One Blessed be He eulogized him, and the ministering angels answered after Him. And what did they say (Malachi 2:6) "The Torah of truth was in his mouth, and wrong was not found on his lips. In peace and uprightness did he walk with Me and many did he turn from sin."
בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת: לֵךְ וְהָבֵא לִי נִשְׁמָתוֹ שֶׁל מֹשֶׁה. הָלַךְ וְעָמַד לְפָנָיו, אָמַר לוֹ: מֹשֶׁה, תֵּן לִי נִשְׁמָתְךָ. אָמַר לוֹ: בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁאֲנִי יוֹשֵׁב אֵין לְךָ רְשׁוּת לַעֲמֹד, וְאַתָּה אוֹמֵר לִי תֵּן לִי נִשְׁמָתְךָ? גָּעַר בּוֹ וְיָצָא בִּנְזִיפָה. הָלַךְ מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת וְהֵשִׁיב דְּבָרִים לִפְנֵי הַגְּבוּרָה. שׁוּב אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: לֵךְ וְהָבֵא לִי נִשְׁמָתוֹ. הָלַךְ לִמְקוֹמוֹ וּבִקְשׁוֹ וְלֹא מְצָאוֹ. הָלַךְ אֵצֶל הַיָּם, אָמַר לוֹ: מֹשֶׁה – רָאִיתָ אוֹתוֹ? אָמַר לוֹ: מִיּוֹם שֶׁהֶעֱבִיר אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּתוֹכִי לֹא רְאִיתִיו. הָלַךְ אֵצֶל הָרִים וּגְבָעוֹת, אָמַר לָהֶם: מֹשֶׁה – רְאִיתֶם אוֹתוֹ? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: מִיּוֹם שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת הַתּוֹרָה עַל הַר סִינַי לֹא רָאִינוּ אוֹתוֹ. הָלַךְ אֵצֶל גֵּיהִנָּם, אָמַר לָהּ: מֹשֶׁה – רָאִית אוֹתוֹ? אָמְרָה לוֹ: שְׁמוֹ שָׁמַעְתִּי, אוֹתוֹ לֹא רָאִיתִי. הָלַךְ אֵצֶל מַלְאֲכֵי שָׁרֵת, אָמַר לָהֶם: מֹשֶׁה – רְאִיתֶם אוֹתוֹ? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: לֵךְ אֵצֶל בְּנֵי אָדָם. הָלַךְ אֵצֶל יִשְׂרָאֵל, אָמַר לָהֶם: מֹשֶׁה – רְאִיתֶם אוֹתוֹ? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֱלֹהִים הֵבִין דַּרְכּוֹ, אֱלֹהִים גְּנָזוֹ לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא וְאֵין כָּל בְּרִיָּה יוֹדַעַת בּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים לד ו): ״וַיִּקְבֹּר אֹתוֹ בַגַּיְא״.
When Moses died, the Holy One Blessed be He said to the angel of death: "Go and bring Me Moses' soul." He went and stood before him, whereupon Moses said: Where I sit, you have no right to stand, and you say "Give me your soul!" He rebuked him and he left scorned. The angel of death went and repeated Moses' words to the Almighty, who again said to the angel of death: "Go and bring Me Moses' soul." He went to his place and sought him, but he could not find him. He went to the Red Sea and said to it: Have you seen Moses? It answered: From the day that Israel crossed in my midst, I have not seen him. He went to the mountains and valley, and said to them: Have you seen Moses? They answered (Iyyov 28:23) "G-d understands its way" — G-d has secreted him for life in the world to come, and no one knows of him, viz. (Devarim 34:6) "And He (Himself) buried him in the valley, etc."
וְכֵיוָן שֶׁמֵּת מֹשֶׁה הָיָה יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בּוֹכֶה וּמְצַעֵק וּמִתְאַבֵּל עָלָיו בְּמֶרֶד וְהָיָה אוֹמֵר: אָבִי אָבִי, רַבִּי רַבִּי, אָבִי שֶׁגִּדְּלַנִי, רַבִּי שֶׁלִּמְּדַנִי תּוֹרָה. וְהָיָה מִתְאַבֵּל עָלָיו יָמִים רַבִּים, עַד שֶׁאָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִיהוֹשֻׁעַ: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, עַד כַּמָּה אַתָּה מִתְאַבֵּל וְהוֹלֵךְ? וְכִי לְךָ בִּלְבַד מֵת מֹשֶׁה? וַהֲלֹא לֹא מֵת אֶלָּא לִי! שֶׁמִּיּוֹם שֶׁמֵּת אֵבֶל גָּדוֹל הוּא לְפָנַי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה כב יב): ״וַיִּקְרָא אֲדֹנָי ה׳ צְבָאוֹת בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לִבְכִי וּלְמִסְפֵּד״ וְגוֹ׳ אֶלָּא מֻבְטָח לוֹ שֶׁבֶּן הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים לא טז): וַיֹּאמֶר ה׳ אֶל מֹשֶׁה הִנְּךָ שֹׁכֵב עִם אֲבֹתֶיךָ וְקָם.
When Moses died, Joshua cried and screamed and mourned for him many days, until the Holy One Blessed be He said to him: Joshua, how long will you mourn him? Has he died only unto you alone? Has he not also died unto Me? For I have been in mourning from the day he died, viz. (Isaiah 22:12) "And the L-rd G-d called for crying and lamenting, etc." And, what is more, he is assured of life in the world to come, viz. (Devarim 31:16) "Behold, you shall lie down with your fathers."