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How can Moshe tell Klal Yisrael that yirah is "small" when the Gemara (גמרא) explains this only applies to someone of Moshe's stature? The shiur develops that Moshe's statement itself proves every Jew has the potential for Moshe-level tzidkus. This provides the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s source for his ruling that any person can reach Moshe Rabbeinu's spiritual level.
The shiur analyzes a fundamental question that arises from the interplay between a pasuk in Parshas Eikev and a Gemara (גמרא) that explains it. The Torah (תורה) states that Hashem (ה׳) asks of the Jewish people only yirah (fear of Heaven), seemingly presenting this as a modest request. However, the Gemara questions this characterization, asking how yirah can be considered "small" when it represents such a lofty spiritual achievement. The Gemara answers with a mashal: just as a wealthy person views a large loan as insignificant compared to his assets, while a poor person sees even a small loan as burdensome, so too yirah appears small to Moshe Rabbeinu due to his exceptional spiritual wealth. This explanation, while satisfying on one level, raises a deeper question that forms the core of the shiur's analysis. If the Gemara's comparison only applies to Moshe's unique spiritual stature, why is Moshe addressing this statement to all of Klal Yisrael? The Torah's language suggests that yirah should be attainable for every Jew, not just for someone of Moshe's extraordinary level.
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Parshas Eikev 10:12
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