Rabbi Godscheider gave a talk this week in Jerusalem on the portion, and said (I paraphrase)

 

'how sad it is that Moses' brother and sister die in this portion, 

and the the Almighty tells Moses he will not enter the Holy Land after leading the Israelites 40 years in the desert! How sad!"

 

But, the Rabbi agreed when I added "Yes, but this is a Portion of Tansition!

 

The 40 years' time in the desert is almost over - and at the end of the Portion -

the Israelites begin to conquer Israel! 

 

Transitioning from Tribes of the Desert - to BEGIN the Almighty's job 

 

of ridding the world of Idol Worship and Human Sacrifice.

 

And beginning 3000 (so far) of Educating the World to consider G-dliness"

 

From this portion, see also what

 

Reb Shlomo Carlebach  taught  about Parshas Chukas