The Treasuries of Reward God Showed Moses on Sinai

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Ki Tisa 16:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Exodus 33:21:) "AND THE LORD SAID: BEHOLD, THERE IS A PLACE WITH ME," and so forth. Rabbi Jose bar Halafta said: "Behold, I am in this place" is not written here, but rather "BEHOLD, THERE IS A PLACE WITH ME" — My place is secondary to Me, and am I secondary to My place? (Exodus 33:19:) "AND HE SAID: I WILL CAUSE ALL MY GOODNESS TO PASS" — the goodness, "ALL MY GOODNESS," includes the attribute of punishment. "AND I WILL BE GRACIOUS TO WHOM I WILL BE GRACIOUS." At that time the Holy One showed him all the treasuries of the giving of reward that are prepared for the righteous. He said before Him: "Sovereign of the World, this treasury, to whom does it belong?" He said to him: "To those who do righteousness." "This one, to whom does it belong?" "To those who sustain orphans." And so it was for each and every treasury, until he saw one great treasury. He said to Him: "This one, to whom does it belong?" He said to him: "Whoever has merit, I give to him from what is his; and whoever has not, I act toward him for free." As it is stated (Exodus 33:19): "AND I WILL BE GRACIOUS TO WHOM I WILL BE GRACIOUS" — "to whom is fitting" is not written, but rather "TO WHOM I WILL BE GRACIOUS."

Themes

RighteousnessMosesDivine JusticeSinWar

Biblical References

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