You find: The Lord spoke with Moses, the Lord said to Moses, and likewise you find: Moses said to the Lord, Moses spoke to the Lord.8These phrases are found in various verses in the Torah. This is analogous to a cave that is located on the seashore. The sea rose and it filled. The sea did not recede from there, but from then on, the sea feeds the cave and the cave, the sea.
So too, the Lord spoke to Moses, Moses said to the Lord.9Thus, Moses was on such a high level that he not only received prophecies but also had an ongoing dialogue with God. What is written above? “Remove your ornaments” (Exodus 33:5). Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai says: These are the weapons that the Holy One blessed be He gave them with the ineffable name etched on them.
“Moses would take the tent” (Exodus 33:7). When Moses saw the fine gift had been in their possession and that they lost it, he, too, became angry at them, as it is stated: “Moses would take the tent [and pitch it at a distance from the camp].” How far was he? Rabbi Yitzḥak said: One mil; here it is stated: “At a distance [harḥek]” (Exodus 33:7), and it is stated there: “But there shall be a distance [raḥok] between you, two thousand cubits by measure” (Joshua 3:4).10A mil is two thousand cubits.
Why was he angry at them? Rabbi Yoḥanan and Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish, Rabbi Yoḥanan said: This is what Moses expounded: One who is ostracized by the master, is ostracized for the disciple. Therefore, “Moses would take the tent.” Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: This is analogous to a king who had a legion and it rebelled against him.
What did his general do? He took the royal ensign and fled. So too, Moses, when Israel performed that act, he took the tent and departed. That is why it is stated: “Moses would take the tent.”