Moses Asks Three Things and the Holy One Grants Them All

"For how then shall it be known" to all the nations that You have been reconciled to us? "Is it not in that You go with us, so that we are distinguished, I and Your people" (Exodus 33:16). Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: Three things Moses our teacher, peace be upon him, asked from the mouth of the Gevurah, and the Holy One, blessed be He, granted him his request. He asked that the Shekhinah dwell upon Israel; and he asked that the holy spirit depart from the nations; and he asked that He show Himself in the attribute of mercy. And from where do we know that he asked that the Shekhinah dwell upon Israel? As it is said, "Is it not in that You go with us" (Exodus 33:16). And from where do we know that he asked that the holy spirit depart from the nations? As it is said, "so that we are distinguished, I and Your people" (Exodus 33:16). And from where do we know that he asked that He show Himself in the attribute of mercy? As it is said, "And he said, Show me, I pray, Your glory" (Exodus 33:18). And from where do we know that the Holy One, blessed be He, did them all for him? As it is said, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken" (Exodus 33:17). Behold, these are three.