Why Moses Pitched the Tent Outside the Camp

"And Moses would take the tent" (Exodus 33:7). It is written, "And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face" (Numbers 16:4). What report did he hear? Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmani said in the name of Rabbi Yonatan: He heard that they suspected him of adultery with a married woman, as it is said, "And they were jealous of Moses in the camp" (Psalms 106:16) — this teaches that each and every man grew jealous concerning his wife on Moses's account, as it is said, "And Moses would take the tent." "And everyone who sought the LORD" — this teaches that whoever beholds the face of an elder, it is as if he receives the face of the Divine Presence. "And Moses would take the tent" — he said: One placed under the ban by the master is under the ban to the disciple as well. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Two faces are heated up [both you and the people are inflamed against each other]; turn back from your stance and enter the camp, as it is said, "And the LORD spoke to Moses face to face" (Exodus 33:11). I do not know what this verse means until it says, "and he returned to the camp" (Exodus 33:11) — this teaches that He released him from his vow and brought the tent back into the camp.