NUM265 If someone whom we tried to help vexes us, it is meritorious to persevere in our efforts to help him. The Midrash points out the greatness of Moshe: "It is customary that if someone does business with another person and that person vexes him, he will leave that person and not want to deal with him again. Moshe, however, was punished (He would not be allowed to enter Eretz Yisroel) because of the Israelites (they pressured him for water and as a consequence Moshe erred), but he did not resign as their leader and benefactor. He continued to do all he could for the people to enable them to enter Eretz Yisroel: "And Moshe sent messengers..." (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:7).