The Custom-Made Hat
Moshe begins his five-week farewell speech to the Bnei Yisroel by saying, "These are the words" (Devarim 1:1). Rashi explains that because Moshe was delivering words of rebuke, he expressed himself in a veiled manner and only mentions the negative incidents by allusion.
The Malbim (Rabbi Meir Leibush Malbim) once delivered a fiery sermon on Shabbat about the importance of shmirat Shabbat (not desecrating the Shabbat). The very next morning a prominent, wealthy member of the congregation burst into the home of the Malbim, livid with rage.
"What right do you have to insult me in public?" he yelled at the Malbim. "Don't you know that embarrassing your fellow man in public is worse than all the desecration of Shabbat that goes on in the whole world? Don't you know I am one of the greatest philanthropists in the community and that a sizeable portion of your wages comes from my pocket?" He ranted on like this for some time.
Finally, when the Malbim was able to squeeze in a word edgewise, all he said was, "Your hat looks so good on you. Did you have it custom-made?"
The congregant looked quizzically at the Malbim, wondering why he responded with a comment that had nothing to do with the conversation. Irritated, he replied, "No, I did not have it custom-made. Just like everyone else, I went into a hat store and tried on a few hats until I found the one that suited me and I bought it."
"If so," said the Malbim, "what do you want from me? On the previous Shabbat I spoke about the importance of tzedaka (charity), and I also had an irate visitor on Sunday, a wealthy member of our community who is very miserly."
"Believe me, I have no particular person in mind when I speak. Every week the people who fall short in the subject that I raise, come to me and complain that I embarrass them. I make different speeches on a variety of mitzvot, meaning to attack no one. Those who feel that the speech fits them, are like those who choose a hat from the rack that fits them perfectly."
Moshe spoke in a cloaked and indirect manner. No doubt those who realized that he mentioned their failing picked their "custom-made hat."
