Another matter, “this is the blessing” – Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: When Moses came to bless Israel, the Torah and the Holy One blessed be He came to bless Israel. “This is [vezot] the blessing,” this is the Torah, in whose regard it is written: “This is [vezot] the Torah that Moses placed before the children of Israel” (Deuteronomy 4:44). “That Moses…blessed” – this is Moses. “The man of God” – this is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord is a Man of war” (Exodus 15:3).
Why to that extent? It is to realize what is stated: “The threefold thread9The Torah, Moses, and God. is not quickly severed” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Another matter, “this is the blessing” – Rabbi Tanḥuma said: If God [elohim], why man [ish]; and if man [ish], why God [elohim]?10The midrash explains that in some matters Moses, was like any man, but in other matters, his behavior transcended the abilities of human beings.
It is, rather, that when he was cast into the river of Egypt – ish; and when it was transformed into blood – elohim. Alternatively, when he fled from Pharaoh – ish; and when he sank him – God. Alternatively, when he ascended to the firmament – man [ish], and what is ish? It is before the angels, that are completely fire [esh].
But when he descended from the firmament – elohim; from where is it derived? It is as it is written: “They feared approaching him” (Exodus 34:30). Alternatively, when he ascended to the firmament – elohim; just as the angels do not eat and drink, he, too, did not eat and drink. From where is it derived?
It is as it is stated: “He was there with the Lord [forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread, and he did not drink water]” (Exodus 34:28). Alternatively, what is “the man of God”? Rav Avin said: His lower half – man; his upper half – of God.