One Point from Likkutei Sichos: Parshas Devarim

IN THE PARSHA:

Before his passing, משה spoke to בני ישראל. He began by recounting what they had experienced in the past forty years from when they left מצרים until now, as they stood ready to enter ארץ ישראל. When משה described their travelling from הר סיני, he reminded them that Hashem had said רב לכם שבת בהר הזה, "you have dwelt long enough at this mountain".

QUESTION:

בני ישראל gained a lot while they camped at הר סיני: They all camped as one. There was much תורה and מצוות that they received. And their very being at that location reminded them of the great event of מתן תורה. Why would Hashem describe their time at הר סיני as being there for too long?

ANSWER:

In talking to בני ישראל at this point, משה wished to emphasize that Hashem had wanted to bring them into ארץ ישראל immediately after מתן תורה. It was only because of the sin with the spies that their entry to ארץ ישראל was delayed for so many years. Although they certainly gained a lot when they camped by הר סיני, since Hashem wanted to bring them into ארץ ישראל immediately, any additional time that they spent camped at הר סיני was considered being there for too long.

LIFE LESSON:

Just as Hashem wanted בני ישראל to move on quickly from הר סיני to ארץ ישראל, we must always strive to do more and reach higher levels in serving Hashem, and even if we have already accomplished much, we should not stay on that level for "too long".

Further discussion:

Why does רש"י bring a second explanation for the words רב לכם שבת? (See אות ו in the שיחה)