Why Moses Pitched His Tent Four Mil From the Camp of Israel

Midrash Aggadah, Exodus 33:7

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And Moses would take the tent" (Exodus 33:7) — Since Moses saw that Israel had been placed under ban before the Omnipresent, he at once distanced himself from them. Why? Because one who is banned to the master is banned to the disciple. Immediately Moses distanced his tent from the camp of Israel, four mil. And the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: "Moses, I have separated from them, and you have separated from them. You have made them like orphans who have no father, and now they have no recovery." Moses said: "Master of the Universe, You are merciful, You are gracious, You are enduring, You relent concerning the evil — act for the sake of Your Name." He said to him: "Moses, return your tent into the midst of My children, and I will return with you." This is what is written: "And the LORD would speak to Moses face to face" (verse 11).

Themes

MosesHumorWitEgyptExodus

Biblical References

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Legends of the JewsPharaoh in Jewish TraditionThat feeling, that sense of insignificance, is something the Israelites must have grappled with constantly in ancient Egypt. Them, a people struggling under theLegends of the JewsPharaoh Boasted That He Created Himself and Needed No GodHe is the ultimate power in Egypt, and he is absolutely convinced of his own divinity. So, when Moses and Aaron come to him with their message – "Let my people Against ApionJoseph and Pharaoh of EgyptianSometimes, digging into the past brings up unexpected things... and uncomfortable questions. Against Apion isn't exactly light bedtime reading. It's a polemic, Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelThe quail, which they requested with a full stomach, wasThe Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael drew a sharp distinction between two foods God gave the Israelites in the wilderness, and the difference had everything to do withMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelMoses Cried Out to the Lord WeThis teaching from the Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael unfolds during the crisis at Rephidim, where the thirsty people quarreled with their leader and were ready to sMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelGo and I Will Send You to Pharaoh, EtcR. Elazar says: after she parted from him with a ma'amar (i.e., by word of mouth). For when the L–rd said to Moses: Go and take My people, the children of Israe