Мидраш к Шмот 4:24

We are taught in Baraitha that R. Joshua b. Karcha says: "Circumcision is so important that all the merits which Moses our teacher acquired were not sufficient to protect him in the hour when he was indifferent to circumcision, as it is said (Ex. 4, 24) And it came to pass on the way at the lodging place, that the Lord met him and sought to hill him." R. Josi says: "God forbid to think that Moses was slow in circumcising his child, but Moses said thus to himself: 'Shall I circumcise [my child] and then go on my journey, it might prove dangerous to it, as it is written (Gen. 34, 25) And it came to pass on the third day, [after the circumcision, when they were sore. Shall I circumcise my child and remain here three days [until it heals,] the Holy One, praised be He! said unto me (Ex. 4, 19) Go return unto Egypt! [Consequently, he left his child uncircumcised.] But why then was he punished? Because when he arrived at the inn he attended (Fol. 32) to things concerning the lodging first, [and did not perform the circumcision,] as it is said (Ib. ib.) And it came to pass on the way in the lodging." Rabban Simon b. Gamiliel says: "Satan did not want to kill Moses our teacher, but he wanted to kill the child, as it is said (Ib., ib., 25) Surely a bloody relative art thou to me. Now let us see who is called a relative, Moses, or the infant? Surely we must say that it refers to the infant." R. Juda b. Z'bina lectured: "At the time when Moses was indifferent to circumcision, the angels Aph and Chemah came and swallowed him, and they left nothing of him except the legs. Immediately, then Zipporah took a flint and cut off the foreskin of her son, etc., and then he withdrew from him. And Moses then wanted to kill them (the angels), as it is said (Ps. 37, 8) Cease from anger, (aph) and forsake wrath (Chemah)." Others, however, say that he did not kill the Angel Chemah, as it is said (Ez. 27, 4) Wrath (Chema) have I not. Behold it is written (Deut. 9, 19) For I was afraid of the anger (Aph), and the wrath [Chemah], hence they did exist? We must therefore say that there were two angels called Chemah. And if you wish we may explain that the latter refers only to the troop commanded by Chemah.

Another interpretation (of Prov. 3:35): THE WISE SHALL INHERIT GLORY. These are Moses and Aaron. (Ibid., cont.:) BUT FOOLS TAKE AWAY SHAME. These are Dathan and Abiram.³²Above, Exod. 4:24. Why? When manna descended for Israel, Moses said (in Exod. 16:19–20): LET NO ONE LEAVE ANY OF IT UNTIL MORNING. BUT THEY DID NOT HEED MOSES, [AND CERTAIN PEOPLE LEFT SOME OF IT UNTIL MORNING. And who were they: They were Dathan and Abiram.] R. Levi said: A colony³³Lat.: colonia. of worms came out of their tents.