Memar Marqah (Samaritan) Reader

While Jewish tradition generally holds that no one can see God and live, there are whispers and echoes in other traditions that suggest otherwise.

Take the Samaritan tradition, for example. They tell a remarkable story about Moses, our teacher, approaching God on Mount Sinai. The familiar story is this: God's voice thundered, the mountain shook, and the people trembled. They were so afraid, they begged Moses to go up in their stead. "Draw near and listen," they pleaded, "for we are afraid to do so." And Moses, ever faithful, did.

What happened up there, in that "holy deep darkness" where the Divine One dwelled? According to Memar Markah 6:3 (a Samaritan text), Moses saw something incredible. He saw the wonders of the unseen, a sight no one else could bear. He saw God's image – the very face of God! Can you imagine the sheer, overwhelming power of that moment? The text says it was terrifying, that no one is able to stand before it.

With his own hands, Moses received the "signature of God," a treasure-house overflowing with all knowledge. He became almost angelic, mingling with the angels above, dwelling with them as one worthy to do so. His speech, we are told, was like the speech of the Lord. His voice mingled with the voice of the Lord, and he was magnified above all humankind.

It's a powerful image, isn’t it? This vision of Moses elevated to a status beyond mortal men. Some might even say, perhaps a little too elevated. Some scholars believe that the rabbis in the Talmud were cautious about portraying Moses as too powerful, perhaps even fearing he might be seen as a messianic figure. That might be one reason why his role in the Exodus is minimized in the Passover Haggadah (non-legal rabbinic narrative).

But let's return to that image of God. The one Moses saw. Remember (Genesis 1:27)? "In the image of God He created them." We are all created in God's image. But in this Samaritan telling, Moses sees not just a reflection, but the actual image of God. He encounters God face to face.

Now, this is a very different view from the one we often find in rabbinic Judaism. But it offers a fascinating glimpse into the diverse ways different traditions have grappled with the mystery of the Divine. It invites us to consider: What does it mean to be made in God's image? And what would it truly mean to see God's face?

Perhaps the answer lies not in a literal vision, but in the way we live our lives, in the compassion we show, and in the pursuit of justice and righteousness. Perhaps, in those moments, we catch a glimpse of the Divine Image reflected in the world around us.

The familiar story is this: a bush ablaze, yet unconsumed. God's voice booming forth, commissioning Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. But some traditions suggest there was more to it than meets the eye.

Moses approaches the bush, drawn in by its otherworldly glow. But it isn't just fire he sees. According to a fascinating Samaritan tradition, as recounted in Memar Markah, he sees something incredible. Etched in the heart of the flames, blazing yet controlled, are the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Aleph, Bet, Gimmel... each one a fiery glyph suspended in the air.

These weren't just any letters. They formed a mystical image of God, a vision so profound that by gazing into them, Moses could perceive God's very presence. It's a powerful image, isn't it? The idea that the building blocks of language, these fundamental symbols, could hold the key to divine understanding.

There's more. This wasn't just a fleeting glimpse. According to this tradition, Moses was able to use these letters to expound the Law. The burning bush wasn't just a theophany, a divine manifestation. It was a premonition, a sneak peek at the Torah itself. A revelation not only about God, but about the very words that would later be dictated to Moses on Mount Sinai.

The burning bush becomes a kind of primordial classroom. Moses, the student, learning the divine alphabet. And through that learning, preparing himself to become the lawgiver. It's a beautiful and profound connection, isn’t it?

This particular myth, as described in Tree of Souls by Howard Schwartz, comes from Samaritan tradition. Now, the Samaritans, unlike mainstream Jewish tradition, place particular emphasis on Moses. In their eyes, he takes on an almost messianic role. So, it makes sense that their stories would highlight his unique connection to God and the Law.

This story, though, resonates far beyond just Samaritan theology. It speaks to the power of language, the sacredness of the written word, and the idea that within the letters of the Torah lies a profound and transformative truth. It suggests that Moses’ experience at the burning bush was not just a moment of divine encounter, but also an initiation into the mysteries of creation itself. He saw not just God, but the very tools God used to build the world and reveal His will.

So, the next time you read the story of the burning bush, take a moment to imagine those letters dancing in the flames. Consider the possibility that Moses saw something more than just fire. Perhaps he glimpsed the very essence of divine communication, the building blocks of the universe itself. What do you think?