"Rebuke compassionately. Soft words and hard arguments do well together. When love is felt, the message is heard."
After Miriam passed on, the spring that provided water in her merit dried up. The Yiden complained to Moshe for water, and so Moshe turned to Hashem for direction. "Speak to the rock in full view of the people, and command it to give water." hashem said, but Moshe struck the rock. The rock gave forth water, but striking the rock was a grave mistake that caused Moshe not to be allowed entrance into Eretz Yisroel. All the commentators wonder as to what exactly was Moshe's sin? What did Moshe do that deserved such a harsh punishment?
Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, author of Kedushas Levi, explains the Rambam view on this incident. He seems to say it was all about Moshes approach, that it was because he spoke harshly to bnei Yisroel. When the Bnai Yisroel asked for water, Moshe replied with the words "Listen, you rebels..."
