Pensée juive sur L’Exode 34:29

Exodus Rabbah 52, explains Proverbs chapter 31, as follows. "She is garbed in might and beauty, smiling towards the latter day." This refers to Moses, of whom it is written that he emitted rays from his forehead. "He smiled toward the latter day," refers to Moses, who said to Israel "let us erect the tabernacle" and found that it would not stand. This in spite of the fact that the elders participated in the effort, as it says "every man of wise heart did participate." They could not erect it until they brought it to Moses since it says "they brought the tabernacle to Moses." They said to him "Rabbi, we have the beams, the bolts, the carpets and the clasps." As soon as Moses saw this, the shechinah came to rest on him and he erected the structure. This is what is referred to by Solomon in Proverbs 31, "many daughters have done valiantly, but you have excelled them all." Do not say that Moses erected it, for the tabernacle was erected with the help of a miracle and stood up all by itself. It is written "on the first of the first month of the second year, the tabernacle was erected." In other words, it was erected by itself."

Our opening Midrash reflects the same theme. Although all of Israel had contributed in providing the various sections of the tabernacle and its furnishings, when it came to assembling it, the people could not manage, whereas Moses unassisted did manage. The people's contribution then consisted only in preparing the material, providing the basis for the tabernacle's ultimate form, to be erected when it would be ready for use. We find a parallel at the time of the creation of the universe. During six days of creative activity, G-d created all the individual parts and sections of the universe. On the seventh day though, the Torah says "heaven and earth had been completed," this referred only to its constituent parts, not to the whole. Subsequently, "G-d completed on that day," something which follows the statement of "and the heavens and the earth had been completed." Similarly, we find in connection with the completion of the work of the tabernacle "all the work on the tabernacle had been completed," whereas afterwards we read "Moses erected it." Most of this has been explained in chapter four. Midrash Tanchuma points out many parallel expressions employed by the Torah both during creation and during construction of the tabernacle. The common denominator is that the former is a macrocosm whereas the latter is a microcosm designed to mirror the universe. If Moses had been unaware that his face emitted rays, and the fact that he alone could erect the tabernacle is remarkable, it reflects the idea that or with the letter ayin and with the letter aleph can be used interchangeably. The Divine, inner light illuminating the soul of Moses, was visible in the form of his skin giving off a glow, sending out rays.

On some the lightning flashes in rapid succession, and they seem to be in continuous light, and their night is as clear as the day. This was the degree of prophetic excellence attained by (Moses) the greatest of prophets, to whom God said, “But as for thee, stand thou here by Me” (Deut. 5:31), and of whom it is written “the skin of his face shone,” etc. (Exod. 34:29). [Some perceive the prophetic flash at long intervals; this is the degree of most prophets.] By others only once during the whole night is a flash of lightning perceived. This is the case with those of whom we are informed, “They prophesied, and did not prophesy again” (Num. 11:25). There are some to whom the flashes of lightning appear with varying intervals;