דברים, פרק ל״ד, פסוק ז׳

The passing of Moses concludes the Torah with a miraculous portrait of a leader who transcended the ordinary limits of nature and time. He lived out his lifespan with absolute precision, completing his hundred and twentieth year down to the very last moment and second [אור החיים, פני דוד, רלב״ג]. The primary approach among commentators is divided into two distinct perspectives regarding the exact timeframe of his remarkable physical state. The straightforward understanding is that this describes his lifetime, particularly his advanced age. Unlike the natural human experience of visible physical decline, Moses exhibited absolutely no signs of weakness, exhaustion, or aging right up until his final day [רלב״ג, מלבי״ם, בכור שור, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Some explain that this immunity to the ravages of time was a direct result of his experience on Mount Sinai. Remaining there for forty days and forty nights without food or drink fundamentally altered his physical constitution, rendering him impervious to illness and decay [ביאור יש״ר]. Conversely, many commentators suggest that this physical miracle occurred precisely after his soul departed. According to this view, even in the grave, decay held no power over him, and his body never underwent the natural decomposition that follows death [רש״י, תורה תמימה, שפתי חכמים, גור אריה].

The preservation of his vision is first understood in a literal sense: his physical eyesight remained crystal clear and did not deteriorate, as is typical in old age [ביאור שטיינזלץ], a reality expressed poetically in the singular form to represent both eyes [אוהב גר]. However, many commentators interpret this enduring sight as a reference to his overall appearance and facial countenance. The radiant glow and rays of glory he received at Sinai never faded or altered [רבנו בחיי, חזקוני, מזרחי]. On a spiritual level, this represents the absolute clarity of his prophecy, as prophets are historically referred to as seers [אדרת אליהו]. When applied to his state after death, it is explained that while the eyes of the deceased typically sink and lose their shape immediately, Moses's eyes retained the exact structure and appearance of a living person [העמק דבר]. Another unique perspective notes that a dying person's vision usually dims at the moment the soul departs so they will not be terrified by the sudden revelation of the Divine Presence. Moses, however, was already accustomed to gazing at the image of God during his lifetime. Therefore, he required no such shielding, and his eyes remained open and vibrant [שפתי כהן].

Moses also retained his physical vitality, characterized by a lasting bodily moisture and freshness [אבן עזרא, רש״ר הירש, ביאור יש״ר]. Instead of his natural bodily fluids retreating or disappearing [אבן עזרא, אבי עזר], he maintained a youthful vigor, which some specifically associate with the fullness of his cheeks and face [הכתב והקבלה]. While the elderly, and certainly those who have passed away, typically experience a drying out of the body as skin shrinks against bone, Moses preserved the lush vitality that sustains physical life [מלבי״ם, תולדות יצחק, העמק דבר]. The Sages even interpret the description of this enduring moisture in the present tense, teaching that even now, long after his passing, his physical freshness remains intact and unceasing [הכתב והקבלה, תורה תמימה, צפנת פענח]. Finally, an unusual grammatical spelling in the Hebrew text regarding his vitality serves as a special testimony: it signifies that the Divine Presence remained intimately attached to him in both life and death [רבנו בחיי], expressing a miraculous freshness that defies all bounds of human aging [רש״ר הירש].