Why the Vav of And If From the Flock Gives Moses Room to Reflect

Midrash Aggadah, Leviticus 1:10

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And if [his offering be] of the flock" (Leviticus 1:10). This vav ["and"] adds to the first matter. And why was there an interruption? To give an interval to Moses, to contemplate between section and section, and between matter and matter. And if the one who hears from the mouth of the Almighty needs to understand between each section and section, an ordinary person [learning] from an ordinary person — how much more so.

Retold in these myths

The God Who Spoke to Moses in His Dead Father's VoiceMost picture Sinai as thunder. The first time God spoke to Moses, He used the soft voice of Amram, his father, so terror would not break him.

Themes

Divine RevelationMoses

Biblical References

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