Whenever A Person Causes The Many To Have Merit, No Sin Shall Come Through Him; But One Who Causes The Many To Sin Shall Not Be Granted The Opportunity To Repent.

Moshe Was Himself Meritorious And Caused The Many To Attain Merit, [Therefore] The Merits Of The Many Are Attributed To Him, As It Is Stated: "He (Moshe) Performed The Righteousness Of The L-Rd And His Ordinances Together With Israel."[66]

Yerovam Ben Nevat Himself Sinned And Caused The Many To Sin, [Therefore] The Sins Of The Many Are Attributed To Him, As It Is Stated: "For The Sins Of Yerovam Which He Sinned And Caused Israel To Sin."[67]

No Sin Shall Come Through Him

This is not to say that such a person's free will is taken away, and he will be prevented from sinning. The intent is that since he endeavored to bring merit to many people, the positive influence these efforts generates will prevent him from becoming involved in circumstances which would cause him to sin accidentally or inadvertently.

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar, 5741)

Shall Not Be Granted The Opportunity To Repent

This does not mean that the gates of teshuvah will be closed before him. Instead, the intent is to point out that people at large are constantly being encouraged to teshuvah by G-d. This positive influence will be withheld from such an individual.[68]

(Ibid.)

The Merits Of The Many Are Attributed To Him

The merit accrued in this manner is an ongoing process, for positive activity generates a self-reinforcing pattern that continues forever. Thus this clause can be interpreted to mean that the merits of the many, even at the era of the composition of the Mishnah, are attributed to Moshe.

(Ibid.)

   

Notes:

66. (Back to text) Devarim 33:21.

67. (Back to text) I Melachim 15:30.

68. (Back to text) See Tanya, ch. 25; Iggeres HaTeshuvah, ch. 11.