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I'm a big fan of Positive Psychology approach to education, reinforcing positive behaviors instead of discouraging negative ones.

When Moses is scolding the nations for the sins [of the previous generation!] I haven't noticed much of positive feedback for all the good things they did, like agreeing to exit Egypt and fulfilling all the Pesach obligations, crossing the Red sea, singing the Song and believing in Moses and G-d, for their exceptional behavior at Mt. Sinai, donating for the Mishkan, building it and bringing sacrifices, 40 years of studying Torah and fulfilling Mitzvos while being convicted to die at any day. For fighting the wars they were commanded to and they even killing each other when commanded to.

And all Moses chooses to discuss are the moments of their weaknesses.

Why is this gloomy approach?

NB, I know that your first move will be to search feverishly for counterexamples, but I'd like to see the big picture.

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  • I believe Jordan Peterson answered this well in one of his lectures.
    – Turk Hill
    Commented Aug 24, 2019 at 18:19
  • And psychologically, people feel better when they focus on the negativity of the world. Moshe was no exception, however, people need to realize that as much what could go bad in life, things could turn good. The Torah has three purposes: (a) to teach some truths (I say some because every culture has some truths, even the Greeks), (b) to improve the self and (c) improve society.
    – Turk Hill
    Commented Aug 24, 2019 at 18:29
  • @TurkHill "negativity of the world" - yes, negativity of their behavior - no.
    – Al Berko
    Commented Aug 24, 2019 at 18:46
  • Most people see negativity in people.
    – Turk Hill
    Commented Aug 24, 2019 at 18:51
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    "I haven't noticed much of positive feedback for all the good things they did" Their clothes did not wear out, nor did their feet swell the entire 40 years. When they cried for food, they were given Mana; when they cried for meat they were given quail; when they cried for water, water was given out of rock.
    – Tamir Evan
    Commented Nov 15 at 6:39

2 Answers 2

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We see that the Torah teaches that rebuke is not negative, and is indeed taken very positively, unless the person being rebuked is not on the right madrega:

Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. (Mishlei 9:8)

We also learn that the person doing the rebuke has to be on the right madrega:

Rabbi Tarfon said, "I wonder if there is anyone in this generation who can accept rebuke." Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah responded, "I wonder if there is anyone in this generation who knows how to give rebuke." (Arachin 16b)

We also learn from this gemara that the ability to receive and give rebuke is something that Am Yisrael lost over time, due to yeridat hadorot.

So therefore we have everything we need: Rebuke from Moshe Rabbeinu, given to Benei Yisrael, is not gloomy at all. It was given and received with love. The issue is purely down to the fact that we are not on that level and can't emotionally relate. One day though, as Yishaya prophesies, we will one day say:

"Thank you Hashem for having rebuked me" (Yishayahu 12:1)

As I heard from an adam gadol, if we knew how great and exalted Hashem is, we would realise we do not deserve rebuke from Hashem. How beneath Him! We would also feel so loved, cared for, and honoured by Him, that He, and His righteous, take the time, patience and attention to rebuke us, no matter how insolent we are, so that we will improve:

Let the righteous strike me—it is a kindness; Let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; My head will not refuse it. (Tehillim 141:5)

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  • He also said "soldiers frequently end up loving their toughest sergeants, once they are older and more mature"
    – Rabbi Kaii
    Commented Nov 19 at 21:47
  • Thank you, undoubtedly, post-Toranic tradition is far more diverse. The question was about the character of Moses as the "ultimate" leader.
    – Al Berko
    Commented Nov 28 at 19:12
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    @AlBerko well, the gemara might be your hint. Someone suggests that nobody can take rebuke, but then... if you think about it, Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah is asking a kasha (otherwise, there's no nafka mina and he wouldn't have spoke). He is saying that the only reason we can't take rebuke is not because of our lowly level, but because of lack of rebukers. Moshiach, I assume will be as great as Moshe (at least), so yes, I would say this applies to Moshe even by your standards.
    – Rabbi Kaii
    Commented Nov 28 at 19:15
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The book on chinuch "UpGrade" by R' Moshe Goldstein teaches that there exist two systems of education. The first one, closed system was used in the past, the modern "friendly" system is developed and applied fairly recently when many young people started breaching the boundaries. The Torah style reflects the older system, which was universally applied. While both systems seek to delineate the boundaries that the student should not cross, they do it in two different ways.

The closed system of education assumed that when people were taught about prohibitions, the discussions ended there. By dictating what was permissible and what was forbidded it assumed the students woud faithfully accept the instructions. The friendly system presents the prohibitions with explanations and rationale. If the child understands these explanations, there is a hope that s/he would heed to the instructions. One can state that the closed system informs student about the boundaries and friendly system seeks to build the boundaries along with them.

The closed system was rejected because many people started testing the violation of prohibitions to assume responsibility for it. While friendy system is universally accepted now, it also has its flaws. When a person feels that the rule is not negotiable, s/he will not struggle against it. Thus s/he will not develop own precious insights about the rule's wisdom. Teachers also need to strugle with each and every student to "finish a job" to have him or her accept every single rule. Every explanation and reason has a danger of being applicable during limited period of time or specific to one's culture. The system requires differentiation between students based on how well they absorb the material. None of these are present in the closed system reflected in the Torah language.

There is more useful information in the book and it is a good guide not just for educators but also to parents.

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