Another interpretation: “This month shall be for you” (Exodus 12:2) – this is one of the four matters that the Holy One blessed be He showed Moses with His finger,71In the four cases listed in this midrash, Scripture uses the indicative “this.” The midrash takes it to be a literal case of indicating, pointing. because he was having difficulty with them. He showed him the preparation of the anointing oil, as it is stated: “This shall be a holy anointing oil for Me…” (Exodus 30:31).
He showed him the crafting of the Candelabrum, as it is stated: “This is the work of the Candelabrum” (Numbers 8:4). He showed him the swarming creatures, as it is stated: “And this is impure for you [among the swarming things that swarm on the earth]” (Leviticus 11:29), and the moon, as it is stated: “This month shall be for you.” He shook the seas and showed him the crocodile,72Which hides in the water and is difficult to see. as it is stated: “The voice of the Lord is on the water” (Psalms 29:3).
He shook the inhabited world and showed him the turtle,73Which hides from people and is not readily visible. as it is stated: “The voice of God breaks the cedars” (Psalms 29:5). He shook the wilderness and showed him the du’ar,74A legendary poisonous creature that lives in the desert, the product of the mating of a snake and a turtle. Also known as the arod, and the ḥavarvar. See Ḥullin 127a. as it is stated: “The voice of God shakes the wilderness” (Psalms 29:8).
He shook the fire and showed him the salamander,75According to legend, salamanders are born of fire. as it is stated: “The voice of God hews the flames of the fire” (Psalms 29:7). When did He do this for him? In the context of: “And this is impure for you.”76The list of impure animals. He shook the world and showed him the moon, as it is stated: “The voice of the Lord is powerful” (Psalms 29:4).
He shook the world and showed him the crafting of the Candelabrum, as it is stated: “The voice of the Lord is glorious” (Psalms 29:4). He shook the world and showed him the preparation of the anointing oil, as it is stated: “The voice of the Lord causes deer to give birth [yeḥolel]” (Psalms 29:9);77Yeḥolel can also mean shake. “and He bared the forests” (Psalms 29:9) – these are the spices of the incense.78Most of the spices are plant-based and are found in forests.
“And in His Sanctuary all say glory” (Psalms 29:9) – all the kings, each one of them speaks of the glory of the Holy One blessed be He, and they all began giving Him praise, as it is stated: “All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to You” (Psalms 138:4).