ייִדישער מחשבֿה אויף במדבר 24:7

This passage also intends to emphasize that the moon’s protests did not lead to any essential change from its original state, only to a change in its position and a change in its mazal, i.e., the moon’s influence on the other celestial bodies changed. For the term mazal (מזל) derives from the word יזל, as in the phrase,¹Bamidbar 24:7. yizal mayim, “water will flow.” These changes – i.e. the change in the moon’s position and the change in its influence on the other celestial bodies – are the reason why the earlier verse describes the moon as “great” and the later verse that describes it as “small.”

The paragraph commencing with the words "the Lord came from Sinai," (33,2) exemplifies that already prior to that event, nations such as Ishmael and Edom had proved unwilling to accept the Torah. Israel's acceptance was unique among the nations, since no one else was ready to accept the authority of Heaven. This act of voluntary submission made Israel into the "chosen people" even though G'd had displayed fondness for other nations also. See 33,3, "He has fondness for nations, but holiness is all concentrated within you." (Israel) Also the other way around. He is beloved by some people among the nations, converts to Judaism, but on a collective basis as distinct from an individual basis, holiness is found only in Israel. tukku leraglecha, you have submitted to G'd en masse. In turn, you were lifted up by "Your commandments." This is a reference to martyrdom for their religion displayed by Jews when confronted by the chance to save their lives through conversion to Christianity etc. morasha kehillat Yaakov.

In the same manner does the root nasa (to lift up) denote both elevation in space and elevation in rank and dignity. In the former sense it occurs in “And they lifted up (va-yisseü) their corn upon their asses” (Gen. 42:26) and there are many instances like this in which this verb has the meaning “to carry,” “to move” from place to place: for this implies elevation in space. In the second sense we have “And his kingdom shall be exalted” (ve-tinnase) (Num. 24:7); “And he bare them, and carried them” (va-yenasseëm) (Isa. 63:9); “Wherefore do ye exalt yourselves” (titnasseü) (Num. 16:3).