Projection occurs when someone, either unconsciously or consciously, attributes their own thoughts, feelings, or behaviors to someone else. It’s a defense mechanism, a way of coping.
This kind of behavior is generally frowned upon, especially when exhibited by a leader. That’s why it was so surprising to have seen Moses, of all people, appear to have done exactly that.
This week’s Torah portion, Devarim, begins to relate a thirty-six-day speech delivered by Moses to the Jewish people. In it, he recounted their journey through the desert and their highs and lows, and prepared them for entry into the Land of Israel.
As part of this speech, Moses reminded the Jewish people of the episode of the spies and its consequences, which led to their wandering in the desert for thirty-eight years. Then, he added a brief but startling statement: Because of that one incident, he was not permitted to enter the Land of Israel.
Is this a classic case of projection? After all, the Torah clearly tells us that Moses was denied entry to the Land because he hit the rock instead of speaking to it after Miriam passed away. That was his action, not theirs.
Why, then, would Moses seem to blame the people for a punishment that he himself caused?
To understand Moses’s comment, we need to look at the broader context of his statements.
Moses explained that of all those who left Egypt forty years ago, only two individuals, Joshua and Caleb, would enter the Land. (Everyone else entering was born in the desert, meaning this generation was younger than forty years old.) Joshua and Caleb were the only spies who had spoken positively about conquering the Land.
But this raises a question: If Joshua and Caleb were equally righteous in that moment, why was Joshua appointed leader over all twelve tribes, while Caleb led only one?
Moses addressed this very point by explaining the leadership transition: Since he would not be leading the people into the Land of Israel, Joshua, his successor, would take on that role. Caleb, though virtuous, was not chosen for that position.
So rather than projecting blame, Moses revealed the chain of events that led to a new chapter of leadership. His words were not about shirking responsibility, but about framing the future.
Moses did not enter the Land of Israel because of the episode of the rock. Joshua would lead the Jews because of the story of the spies.
It is so easy to take things out of context. How rewarding it is when we place facts in the right setting.
Shabbat Shalom