In this week's parshah, we learn about the story of מי מריבה - the Water of Quarrel. Throughout their journey in the wilderness, the Yidden were sustained by water that came miraculously from a rock. This rock is called בְּאֵרָהּ שֶׁל מִרְיָם - the Well of Miriam, for the nes was in her zechus. With the passing of מִרְיָם הַנְּבִיאָה, Klal Yisrael lost their source of water. In their desperation, yidden assembled and approached Moshe and Aharon and stubbornly complained against them.
Hashem commanded Moshe to take his staff and gather the people by the rock and instruct it to release water to quench the people's thirst. Instead of talking to the rock, Moshe hit the rock, and was therefore punished being prevented from entering Eretz Yisrael. Hashem told Moshe and Aharon, יַעַן לֹא הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם בִּי לְהַקְדִּישֵׁנִי לְעֵינֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לָכֵן לֹא תָבִיאוּ אֶת הַקָּהָל הַזֶּה אֶל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לָהֶם - "Since you did not have (enough) faith in Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of the Bnei Yisrael, you therefore will not bring this assembly to the land that I have given them."
It is imperative, when learning about the Dor Hamidbar in general, and its leaders Moshe and Aharon in particular, to remember that they were on an extremely exalted spiritual level. Although it may appear that they sinned, especially since Chazal often phrase it that way, it is not so simple. We must appreciate that they were on a very great level - beyond comprehension - and they were judged on that level. Their misdeeds, although very slight, were considered severe according to their lofty standing.
There are many essential lessons that our teachers derive even from the minor infractions of our great leaders.
