“It would be that when Moses would go out to the tent, each man would rise and each would stand at his tent's entrance; they would gaze after Moses, until he went into the tent” (Exodus 33:8). “It would be that when Moses would go out to the tent, all the people would rise.” They would stand on each side and show him honor, as it is stated: “Each would stand at his tent's entrance and they would gaze after Moses” (Exodus 33:8).
What would they say? Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Happy is the one who bore him with what she sees in him. “It would be that when Moses would enter into the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and would stand at the entrance of the tent and He would speak with Moses” (Exodus 33:9). “The entire people would see the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent and the entire people would rise and would prostrate themselves, each man at the entrance of his tent” (Exodus 33:10).
“It would be that when Moses would enter into the tent.” When Israel would see the pillar of cloud they would know that the Divine Presence was revealed to Moses. “And the entire people would rise and would prostrate themselves, each man at the entrance of his tent.” The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Return to the camp.’
He said to Him: ‘I will not return.’ He said to him: ‘If you do not return, there is Joshua, know that he is in the tent.’ This is analogous to a noblewoman11A wife of the king. who became angry at the king’s daughter and she left the palace. There was an orphan girl who was raised with her in the king’s palace.
He said to her:12The king said to his wife. ‘Return to your place.’ She did not want to do so. He said to her: ‘Know that that orphan girl is in the palace.’13I will take her as my wife in your place. So too, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘Return to the camp; if not, Joshua is in the tent.’14I will appoint him leader in your place.
Who caused Moses to return to the camp? It was “his servant Joshua bin Nun” (Exodus 33:11). Moses said: ‘Master of the universe, it was for the sake of Your honor that I became angry at them. “See, You say to me,” see that You cannot forsake them.
“But You have not informed me whom You will send with me.”’15Moses was saying to God: If You are telling me to return, You must also return to the people. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘I already said to you: “I will send an angel before you”’ (Exodus 33:2). He said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, are You handing me off to an angel? “If Your presence does not go, do not take us up from here”’ (Exodus 33:15).