It says in this week's Parasha... “Do not continue to speak to Me further about this matter.” (3:26) Moshe had prayed 515 prayers to be allowed to enter the land of Israel and now Hashem stopped him.
The Gemara (Yevamos 64a) says Hashem has a special desire to hear the prayers of the righteous. If so, why did he forbid Moshe to continue praying?
The Jews were ready to enter Eretz Yisrael but first Moshe had to die in the wilderness. The Gemara (Berachos 54b) says that if one prays at length, Hashem reciprocates with long life. If Hashem had let Moshe extend his prayer, he would have merited long life, thus delaying the Jewish people’s entry into Eretz Yisrael.
A little girl was crying because her favorite doll had broken. Her ten-year old brother saw her crying and mockingly asked, "Why don't you ask G-d to fix your doll?" The girl's face brightened and with a resolute step she went into her room to pray.
Later, the boy saw the girl outside playing, her broken doll beside her. With a smirk he scoffed "I see G-d didn't answer your prayer. Your doll is still broken." His sister looked at him with a serene expression and contented smile and replied: "G-d did so answer me. He said 'No.'"
