Moses Offers His Life Twice to Spare Israel From Divine Wrath

Midrash Aggadah, Numbers 11:15

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And if You deal thus with me, kill me, I pray, kill" (Numbers 11:15) — just as he said at the affair of the calf, "and if not, blot me out, I pray" (Exodus 32:32). Because Moses our teacher knew that the fierce anger of the LORD is harsh, and that there is no fierce anger without leaving an impression, he gave up his life for Israel. "And let me not look upon my evil" (Numbers 11:15) — he should have said "upon their evil," but Scripture used a euphemism.

Themes

AngerMosesHumorWitConversion

Biblical References

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