Sages Guard the Four-Letter Name and Moses Pleads to Be Released

Said Rabbah bar bar Channah in the name of Rav Yochanan: the four-letter Name, the sages transmit it to their students once a week, and some say once in a sabbatical cycle, as it is written, "This is My Name forever" [le-olam, read as le-allem, to conceal] (Exodus 3:15). "And now go, and I will send you" (Exodus 3:10): said Rabbi Elazar, "For you Israel were watching, for you Israel were hoping; there is greatness for you in this matter." Rabbi Yochanan said, "To you this matter is entrusted." "And Moses said to the Lord, Please, my Lord" (Exodus 4:10): "I beg you, transfer this from me. If my brother Aaron is greater than I, then send me [with him]." "I am not a man of words" (Exodus 4:10). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, "Who put a mouth in man?" (Exodus 4:11). "And I will be with your mouth and teach you" (Exodus 4:12): "I will make you a new creation, like a woman who conceives and gives birth."