Whoever Welcomes an Elder Full of Torah Greets the Shekhinah

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Ki Tisa 15:3

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And it came to pass that everyone who sought the LORD" (Exodus 33:7). "Everyone who sought Moses" is not written here, but rather "everyone who sought the LORD." This teaches that everyone who welcomes an elder who is full of Torah, it is as though he welcomes the face of the Shekhinah. For even the angels, the seraphim, and the troops would seek him in order to receive permission from him to go forth. They would say to one another, "Behold, he is in the tabernacle of Moses." The sun and the moon, when they seek to receive permission to go forth into the world, go to the tent, "and it came to pass that everyone who sought the LORD [would go out to the Tent of Meeting that was outside the camp]" (Exodus 33:7).

Themes

Divine PresenceAngelsSun And Moon

Biblical References

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