It’s a question that’s haunted mystics and theologians for centuries. And while Jewish tradition generally holds that no one can see God and live, there are whispers and echoes in other traditions that suggest otherwise.
Take the Samaritan tradition, for example. They tell a remarkable story about Moses, our teacher, approaching God on Mount Sinai. We all know the story: God's voice thundered, the mountain shook, and the people trembled. They were so afraid, they begged Moses to go up in their stead. "Draw near and listen," they pleaded, "for we are afraid to do so." And Moses, ever faithful, did.
But what happened up there, in that "holy deep darkness" where the Divine One dwelled? According to Memar Markah 6:3 (a Samaritan text), Moses saw something incredible. He saw the wonders of the unseen, a sight no one else could bear. He saw God's image – the very face of God! Can you imagine the sheer, overwhelming power of that moment? The text says it was terrifying, that no one is able to stand before it.
With his own hands, Moses received the "signature of God," a treasure-house overflowing with all knowledge. He became almost angelic, mingling with the angels above, dwelling with them as one worthy to do so. His speech, we are told, was like the speech of the Lord. His voice mingled with the voice of the Lord, and he was magnified above all humankind.
It's a powerful image, isn’t it? This vision of Moses elevated to a status beyond mortal men. Some might even say, perhaps a little too elevated. Interestingly, some scholars believe that the rabbis in the Talmud were cautious about portraying Moses as too powerful, perhaps even fearing he might be seen as a messianic figure. That might be one reason why his role in the Exodus is minimized in the Passover Haggadah.
But let's return to that image of God. The one Moses saw. Remember Genesis 1:27? "In the image of God He created them." We are all created in God's image. But in this Samaritan telling, Moses sees not just a reflection, but the actual image of God. He encounters God face to face.
Now, this is a very different view from the one we often find in rabbinic Judaism. But it offers a fascinating glimpse into the diverse ways different traditions have grappled with the mystery of the Divine. It invites us to consider: What does it mean to be made in God's image? And what would it truly mean to see God's face?
Perhaps the answer lies not in a literal vision, but in the way we live our lives, in the compassion we show, and in the pursuit of justice and righteousness. Perhaps, in those moments, we catch a glimpse of the Divine Image reflected in the world around us.