Eliezer says — The Holy One Blessed be He said to Moses — I

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Amalek 3:32

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 19, 2025

R. Eliezer says: The Holy One Blessed be He said to Moses: I am the one who spoke and brought the world into being. I am the one who draws near and not the one who distances, viz. (Jeremiah 23:23) "Am I only a G–d from near, says the L–rd, and not a G–d from far?" I am the one who drew Yithro near and did not distance him. You, too, when a man comes to you to be converted, he does so only for the sake of Heaven. You, too, draw him near and do not distance him. From here we learn that a man should distance with the left hand and draw near with the right, and not do as Elisha did to Gechazi, rejecting him with both hands.

Themes

Moses Prophecy Blessing Humor Wit

Biblical References

Jeremiah 23:23

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