Why Moses Waited to Be Called Before Ascending to God

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayikra 2:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And He called to Moses" (Leviticus 1:1). This is what Scripture said: "For it is better that it be said to you, 'Come up here,' than that you be put lower before a prince whom your eyes have seen" (Proverbs 25:7). Rabbi Tanhum says: Distance yourself from your place by two or three places, so that they will say to you, "Come up," and do not go up, lest they say to you, "Go down." Rabbi Tanhuma opened: "There is gold and an abundance of pearls, but lips of knowledge are a precious vessel" (Proverbs 20:15). The proverb says: Knowledge you lack, what have you acquired? Knowledge you have acquired, what do you lack? So too Moses did not ascend until the Holy One, blessed be He, called him: "And He called to Moses."

Themes

HumilityMoses

Biblical References

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