Rashi says, that Moshe realized that his designation will not take effect until many years after his death. At the time when Yehoshua will capture the land, and divide it among the tribes, then he will properly designate the Cities of Refuge. Despite this reality, Moshe jumped at an opportunity to do a Mitzvah.

To this the Midrash comments that a person who truly loves the Mitzvot will never be satisfied with the Mitzvot. Never will he say I have performed enough Mitzvot, the unquenchable thirst to do Mitzvot will never cease.

The Midrash says this about Moshe here, and about Dovid HaMelech in reference to the building of the Bais HaMikdash. Dovid HaMelech knew that he will never see the completion of the Bais HaMikdash in Jerusalem. He felt that, at least, he must participate on some level by building the foundations of the building. The Kli Yakar says that it is common, that men are faced with a dilemma whether or not they can complete the performance of a Mitzvah. He explains that despite this dilemma, a Mitzvah that comes to hand you are not permitted to push away.

Moshe Rabbeinu taught us a very important lesson about the performance of Mitzvot. Do them regardless of its consequences. The most important thing is to perform Mitzvot. The Mishna in Pirkei Avos tells us that Mitzvah goreres Mitzvah, if one gets into the habit of performing mitzvot it becomes contagious. It will envelop your entire existence. People may take the attitude why bother if I can�t complete the job. Moshe�s response is, that is not the correct attitude.

Along similar lines, perhaps, Moshe was sharing his vision with the Jewish people for what their future should be like. If you want to know how to live successfully in the Land of Israel, as you return to normal life, follow my example, do as many Mitzvot in your life as possible.

This point can be explained very well by the Midrash Tanchuma in Parshat Kedoshim: the Midrash tells the following story about the Emperor Adryanus who was once passing through the land to go to war. He noticed a certain old man who was planting a fig tree. He said to the old man, you are old and have already left your mark on this world, why work so hard to plant this tree? The old man responded, my dear king, I must plant. If I merit to see the fruits of my labor, great, if not my children will reap the benefits of my planting. Three years passed and the king returned and saw the same old man. The old man filled baskets with figs and offered it to the king and said I am the old man that you met on your way to battle and G-d has allowed me to see the fruits of my labor. The king took the baskets and filled them with gold. This was the message that Moshe was sending to Bnei Yisrael. Observe the Mitzvot and don�t worry about the ramifications in the future.

The Gemorah in Brachos (10A) tells about how Chizkiyahu HaMelech did not fulfill the Mitzvah of Peru Uruvu (be fruitful and multiply) because he saw a son who will be evil. When the King became ill Yeshayahu HaNavi came to him to inform him of his imminent death and loss of his share in the World to Come. Yeshayahu told him this was because of his abstention from the Mitzvah of Peru Urvu.

Chizkiyahu protested and informed him of the evil son Menashe that he is trying to prevent from coming into this world. Yeshayahu responded that you o King have no right to interfere in G-d�s business, your job is to do Mitzvot now and not worry about its future ramifications. This is the legacy of Moshe Rabbeinu.

To answer the two questions we first asked: Firstly, this message is part and parcel of receiving the Torah. As Moshe taught us, living a Jewish life is about doing Mitzvot. Why tell them this now? As the Jewish people stand on the threshold of entering Eretz Yisrael, the notion of Kabalus HaTorah becomes more of a reality now, as they leave the world of open miracles and enter the real world. Moshe teaches them that if you eternalize this message you will live a long life in Eretz Yisrael.

Perhaps this lesson is the comfort that we are looking for on this Shabbat, that bringing the Geula (redemption) is in our hands. If everyone performs the Mitzvot properly, Moshiach will truly come very soon.