Why God Said Seventy Ish When Gathering the Elders

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Beha'alotcha 26:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"Gather to Me" (Numbers 11:16). [This is what Scripture says (Proverbs 22:11): "One who loves purity of heart, grace upon his lips — a king is his friend."] Why did He not say to him "seventy men" (anashim, in the plural), but rather "seventy man" (ish, in the singular)? Rather, [He said to him: seventy distinguished individuals (ish)] who resemble Me and you — (Exodus 15:3) "The LORD is a man (ish) of war," and (Numbers 12:3) "Now the man (ish) Moses."

Themes

MosesAdam EveWisdomMusicSin

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelWhen God Offered the Torah to the Israelites at Mount SinaiWhen God offered the Torah to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, the entire nation responded with one of the most remarkable declarations in all of Scripture. As thMidrash AggadahTen Descents and the Lamp Kindled From a Lamp at SinaiWhen the Torah says the LORD "came down in a cloud" upon the camp, the sages count it among the ten times the Holy One, blessed be He, descended into the world.Midrash TehillimAdam and the PatriarchsMidrash Tehillim turns to Adam and the Patriarchs. Our journey begins with Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Psalms. It opens wiKohelet RabbahWisdom Strengthens More Than Ten Rulers in a CityKohelet Rabbah, the commentary on Ecclesiastes, digs into this very question, offering some fascinating, and at times surprising, answers. The verse from EcclesShemot RabbahThe First Song Ever Sung From Creation Until the SeaIt all starts with the verse, "Then Moses…sang" (Exodus 15:1). The Rabbis connect this to (Proverbs 31:26), "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching oMidrash Tanchuma Buber, Ki TisaNectar on the Bride's Lips - Israel and God Praising One AnotherWhen the Holy One finished speaking with Moses on Sinai, the verse leans toward a love song: "Your lips drip nectar, O bride." Behold how the Holy One praises t