Parshas Shelach
Why is that we see Moshe arguing with Hashem in defense of the Jewish people using technicalities?
After the Yidden side with the meraglim Moshe argues against killing them at once, saying the nations of the world will say that Hashem wasn't strong enough to bring them to Eretz Yisrael. And by Chet HaEgel similarly Moshe argues using a technicality, What will the Egyptians say?
(Why can't he be more like Avraham who argues that the evil should be saved on account of the righteous who are the minority.)
Maybe a viewpoint can be that if we try to understand this pattern in the context of the Jewish people being taught a lesson in maturity.
For Moshe to argue that Hashem should forgive them because he is merciful would, if agreed to by Hashem, potentially be damaging long term as the Jewish people might never learn responsibility for their action if they are constantly being forgiven. But just to leave it at, Hashem knows best and let the Yidden be punished, is also problematic.
Yesh Lomar, that if the Yidden were constantly seeing the consequence to their actions they might become better listeners, but at what cost. A nation that served their G-d out of fear, "remember what happened to the previous generation, we don't want to end up like them." Fear can be a very debilitating emotion, one never errs by not taking risks. Ingenuity gets stifled and creativity becomes non existent.
But if this is so true, why couldn't Hashem propose the proper punishment from the beginning without Moshe's input?
Utilizing an explanation in understanding the role of Mitzvas d'Rabban, there is an approach we can take but also go a step further.
In parenting at what point in time do you relent? If you have a rule that there is no dessert without finishing your plate, under which circumstances do you relent? If you heaped their plate up too high? If they ate half of a vegetable that they do not like? If they ask nicely and they did share with their sibling earlier in the day? Do you offer them the dessert without them asking for the exception?
So too here Y"L that Moshe's involvement is empowering to the Yidden to be responsible for their action and if they want special treatment to ask for it and be deserving of it.
