Why Moses Argued Israel Craved Forbidden Unions Not Meat

"The flocks and the herds," etc. When Moses heard this matter — "and it shall become loathsome to you" — from the mouth of the Name, he began to plead for mercy upon them. And he said, "The people among whom I am are six hundred thousand on foot," etc. (verse 21). For the decree had not been issued except upon those who had come out of Egypt, because they were saying, "Why is it that we came out of Egypt, and You wish to kill them with the flesh that You will give them? Now, do You know that they are not grumbling over a craving for flesh, but over the permitting of forbidden sexual unions? — for even if You give them all the flocks in the world, it would not be found enough for them. And since it is revealed before You that they are not grumbling over a craving for flesh, why should You listen to their voice and give them flesh? You are seeking to kill them! If it is good in Your eyes, do not listen to their voice and do not give them flesh." The Holy One, blessed be He, answered Moses: "Is the LORD's hand short?" He said to him: "If I listen to you and do not give them flesh as they ask, they will continue to sin and will say that My hand is short and that I cannot give them their craving — and do you wish that they should have an opening of the mouth, that they should say, 'The LORD's hand is short'?" Moses began to say: "Since You do not listen to me, and Your desire is to give flesh so that they should not say Your hand is short — I will go and warn them not to ask for flesh again, so that no mishap should come upon them through the flesh." The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: "Do not trouble yourself to go, for if you say such a thing to them, they will say, 'There is no power in him to grant their request.' And if you wish to know, go out and tell them, and you will see that they will not accept it from you, but will say, like bees, that there is no power in me to give. Therefore it is said, 'Whether My word shall come to pass for you or not.'"