Why Moses Pitched the Tent of Meeting Outside the Camp

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Ki Tisa 15:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Exodus 33:7:) NOW MOSES WOULD TAKE THE TENT [and pitch it for himself outside the camp, FAR FROM THE CAMP]. How far away was it? A mile, as it is said (Joshua 3:4): "YET THERE SHALL BE A DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND IT OF ABOUT TWO THOUSAND CUBITS BY MEASURE." Why was Moses angry with them? Rather, thus said Moses: "One who is placed under a ban with respect to the master is also placed under a ban with respect to the disciple." Resh Lakish said: It is comparable to a king who had one legion, and they rebelled against the king. What did their army commander do? He took the king's standard and fled. So too Moses, when Israel committed that deed, he took the Tabernacle and went away.

Themes

Divine PresenceMosesHumorWitKings

Biblical References

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