Why God Told Moses to Charge Israel About His Honor

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Pinchas 2:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[(Numbers 27:16:) "LET THE LORD, THE GOD OF THE SPIRITS <OF ALL FLESH, APPOINT SOMEONE OVER THE CONGREGATION>."] (ibid.) This is what Scripture said (Isaiah 45:11): "THE THINGS TO COME, ASK ME; CONCERNING MY CHILDREN AND THE WORK OF MY HANDS, WOULD YOU COMMAND ME?" A parable: To what is the matter comparable? To a king who married a wife, and he had a best man (shoshvin). Every time the king became angry with his wife, the best man would appease him, and the king would be reconciled. When the best man was about to die, he began to make a request of the king. He said to him: "I beg of you, give your attention to your wife." The king said to him: "Instead of you charging me concerning my wife, charge my wife concerning me, that she be careful regarding my honor." So, as it were, did the Holy One, blessed be He, say to Moses: "Instead of you charging Me, 'Let the God of the spirits of all flesh appoint over the congregation,' charge them concerning Me, that they be zealous regarding My honor." What is written below? (Numbers 28:1-2:) "AND THE LORD SPOKE TO MOSES, SAYING: COMMAND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL [AND SAY TO THEM]: MY OFFERING, MY BREAD FOR MY FIRE-OFFERINGS, etc."

Themes

MosesKingsWomenFaithHumor

Biblical References

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