The Art of Loving Rebuke: Moshe's Tactful & Gentle Critique [Parsha Power: Devarim] 5785

The Art of Loving Rebuke: Moshe's Tactful & Gentle Critique [Parsha Power: Devarim] 5785

From Parsha Review Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe by TORCH

July 15, 2026 · 30 min · Season 7 · Episode 40

About this episode

Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe discusses the gentle critiques Moses offered to the Jewish people in Parshas Devarim, emphasizing the importance of tactful communication and self-reflection.

In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe delves into Parshas Devarim, the opening portion of the Book of Deuteronomy, which serves as a review ( Mishneh Torah ) of the Torah’s teachings, encapsulating Moses’ final remarks to the Jewish people. Rabbi Wolbe focuses on the first verse (Deuteronomy 1:1), which lists seemingly extraneous locations—such as the wilderness, Arava, and Dizahav—where Moses spoke to the Israelites. Quoting Rashi, he explains that these are veiled critiques of the Jewish people’s past sins, including the complaints after Egypt, the Midianite women, the spies, the manna, Korach’s rebellion, and the Golden Calf. Moses delivers these critiques gently to avoid direct confrontation, reflecting the Torah’s sensitivity to prevent embarrassment. Rabbi Wolbe ties this to the upcoming month of Elul, a time for introspection and gentle self-critique, and shares his grandfather’s advice to young husbands to avoid critiquing their wives for three years to preserve their relationship. He references a Talmudic teaching from Yevamot 65b, which mandates offering constructive criticism only when it will be accepted, and withholding it otherwise…

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