(2020/5780)

At the start of Perek Daled in Seifer Shemot, Moshe Rabbeinu exclaims to Hashem that he has a speech impediment and is therefore incapable of convincing Bnei Yisrael that Hashem will save them. Hashem responds and says, “Mi Sam Peh LeAdam O Mi Yasum Ileim O Cheireish O Pikei’ach O Iveir HaLo Anochi Hashem,” “Who gave man a mouth, or who makes one mute or deaf, or sighted or blind? Is it not I Hashem” (Shemot 4:11). Ran points out that the language of the Pasuk is inconsistent and rather incongruous. First, Hashem says “who gives man the ability to speak.” The inverse of that phrase should be “and who doesn’t give man the ability to speak. However, Hashem says “who gives man the inability to speak.” First the word “Sam” is used, then the word “Yasum.” Both of these phrases connote a positive action of providing. Ran questions why the phraseology is so peculiar. After all, a stutter is a speech impediment; speech is withheld. Ran answers that just like we benefit from things that are given to us from Hashem (“Sam”), so too, we benefit from things that are withheld from us from Hashem, for they are also given (“Yasum”). Both our abilities and our inabilities are equally important and are equally ‘provided’ by Hashem. When Moshe Rabbeinu was withheld the optimal form of speaking - which is very important for someone who is leading a mass exodus of a powerless nation from the world’s most powerful nation, while at the same time representing the Ribono Shel Olam. It was not accidental or an oversight. Hashem has His plans. 

In our lives we may confront a situation and conclude that because of our inabilities we cannot overcome the challenge or achieve the necessary results. Hashem’s explanation to Moshe Rabbeinu was an eternal proclamation that everything we have and do not have is for a reason. Hashem has decided what is best for us to succeed and we must recognize and appreciate Hashem’s Hashgacha Peratit (divine intervention) just as Moshe Rabbeinu did.

This article was adapted from a Devar Torah given by Rav Moshe Weinberger.