“These are the words that Moshe spoke to the people of Israel.” (Devarim 1:1)
These were words of rebuke listing all the places where they angered Hashem. Therefore to preserve their dignity he only alluded [to their sins] indirectly. (Rashi)
Just a few days before his death Moshe Rabbeinu rebuked the Jews for their well-known transgressions including the Cheit HaMeraglim the sin of the spies which prevented the entire generation from entering Eretz Yisrael and the Cheit HaEigel the sin of the Golden Calf which wasn’t fully forgiven and still hovered over them. Regarding this sin the pasuk says “On the day of My remembering I will remember ” meaning that every future punishment includes an element of Cheit HaEigel.
Although these sins were known to all and it was a mitzvah for him to rebuke them Moshe refrained from enumerating their misdeeds specifically so as not to embarrass them. This teaches us the importance of kavod habriyos — safeguarding other people’s dignity. (Lekach Tov)
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