The People Grumble Against Moses at the Bitter Waters

Mekhilta DeRabbi Shimon Ben Yochai 15:24

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, What shall we drink" (Exodus 15:24). Rabbi Yehoshua says: Israel should have consulted the greatest among them, saying, What shall we drink and what shall we not drink? Instead they arose and spoke words of complaint against Moses. Rabbi Elazar of Modi'in says: Israel are accustomed to standing up and speaking words of complaint against Moses, and not against Moses alone but even against the Almighty. Therefore it is said "[saying] What shall we drink."

Themes

MosesExodusDivine Justice

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