That’s essentially the choice presented to MOSES in this powerful moment we find in Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews. God speaks to Moses, commanding, "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." But it's not just about removing shoes. It's about severing ties.
The voice, understood to be God's, signifies a deeper request: to cut asunder every bond uniting Moses with earthly concerns. Even his conjugal life, his marriage. Can you imagine the weight of that request?
This is where it gets even more interesting. The angel MICHAEL, ever the advocate for humanity, intercedes. According to the legend, he speaks to God, saying, "O Lord of the world, can it be Thy purpose to destroy mankind? Blessing can prevail only if male and female are united, and yet Thou biddest Moses separate from his wife."
It's a fair point, isn't it? The continuation of life, the blessings of family, they all stem from union. Why would God ask Moses to forsake this fundamental aspect of existence?
God's answer is profound. "Moses has begot children, he has done his duty toward the world. I desire him to unite himself now with the Shekinah, that she may descend upon earth for his sake."
The Shekinah (שְׁכִינָה) – the divine presence, the dwelling of God. God isn't asking Moses to simply abandon his wife for no reason. He’s asking him to elevate his connection to the divine to such a degree that the Shekinah, God's very presence, can manifest on Earth through him. Moses has fulfilled his earthly duty; now, a higher, spiritual union is required.
Think about that for a moment. What does it mean to unite with the Shekinah? It suggests a complete and utter devotion, a transcendence of the physical and a merging with the spiritual. It’s a radical call, one that asks for total surrender.
What would you do if you were Moses? What earthly bonds would you be willing to sever for a chance to bring the divine presence closer to our world? It's a question that resonates far beyond the ancient texts, challenging us to consider the depths of our own commitments and the potential for spiritual connection in our lives.