Reb Chaim Kanievsky and the computer search

Recently an interesting episode occurred with Reb Chaim Kanievsky that demonstrated that despite the amazing advances made by modern technology, nothing can be substituted for diligence in Torah study. A Torah scholar in Bnei Barak was discussing Torah topics with Reb Chaim and he queried Reb Chaim regarding the amount of instances where the name Moshe is listed in the Torah. Reb Chaim immediately responded that the name Moshe is listed 414 times in the Torah, to which the questioner responded that he believes that the name Moshe appears 416 times. Reb Chaim smiled and responded that apparently this person had done a computer search which resulted in the extra listings of the word Moshe, as in one instance the word is miseh, from the sheep, and in the second instance, the word is masheh, which means to lend, but certainly these words do not refer to Moshe.

One may be wondering what significance there is in the fact that Moshe’s name is listed 414 times in the Torah: Well, this really shows that everything is hinted to in the Torah, and specifically regarding this past week’s parashah, Korach, where the sons of Korach ultimately admit that Moshe and his Torah are true.

The number 414, when using mispar katan, digit sum, equals 9, and the word emes, truth, in mispar katan equals 9, so there you have it. The amount of times that Moshe is listed in the Torah signifies that Moshe and his Torah are true.