The Burning Bush and the Fate of Israel in Exile

Another interpretation: Why is its name called Horeb? Because from there a sword [cherev] would come upon the nations of the world who did not accept the Torah. And why is its name called Sinai? Because all who came into the world became hated [nisne'u] there [by the nations, for Israel's sake]. "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him" (Exodus 3:2). At first He appeared only through another angel, who stood in the middle of the bush, so that Moses would not be alarmed. "And behold, the bush burned with fire." The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Because of the hatred with which his brothers hated Joseph, they went down to Egypt, and for his sake I reveal Myself in the bush and will redeem them, as it is said, "You have with Your arm redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph, Selah" (Psalms 77:16). What is the way of the thornbush? A person puts his hand into it and is not harmed, because its thorns are all bent downward; but when he seeks to draw his hand out, the thorns seize him and he cannot get it out. So the Egyptians: at first they received Israel with a cheerful countenance, but when Israel sought to leave they would not let them go, as it is said, "And I know that the king of Egypt will not give you leave to go" (Exodus 3:19, below). "And the bush was not consumed" — He hinted to him: though they will be enslaved under four kingdoms, they will not be consumed. "And Moses said: I will turn aside now and see" — he spoke to the shepherds who were with him, and they did not see what Moses saw. And so you find with Abraham, and with Daniel. "For the place whereon you stand is holy ground" — here you are destined to build an altar before Me. From where do we know that all the callings were "Moses, Moses"? Scripture teaches, "And God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said: Moses, Moses." And from where do we know that at every calling he said "Here am I"? Scripture teaches, "And he said: Here am I."