According to Legends of the Jews, as retold by Rabbi Louis Ginzberg, the great leader wasn't exactly racing toward his destiny. He was accompanied by his wife and children, yes, and riding on a truly remarkable animal. Can you imagine? This wasn't just any donkey. This was the very same ass that carried Abraham to the Akedah, the binding of Isaac, on Mount Moriah! This donkey, tradition says, is the one the Messiah himself will ride upon at the end of days. Talk about pressure!
But even with such powerful symbolism beneath him, Moses hesitated. He traveled leisurely, almost reluctantly. Why? Well, he foresaw a problem.
He imagined arriving in Egypt, announcing to the Israelites that their time of slavery was over. But he feared their response. "We know our bondage is supposed to last four hundred years," they might say, "and the end isn't here yet!" (Think of the historical context - they knew the prophecies!). This is the kind of doubt that could fester, isn't it?
And here's the truly human part: Moses didn't want to argue with God about it. He thought, "If I were to put this objection before God, He would break out in wrath against me." He was avoiding conflict, managing expectations, perhaps even stalling for time. "It is best for me," he reasoned, "to consume as much time as possible on the way thither."
Isn't that fascinating? Moses, the man who would part the Red Sea, the man who would receive the Torah, was experiencing a very relatable moment of… procrastination. He's not portrayed as a flawless superhero, but as a complex individual grappling with a daunting task.
What does it tell us? Perhaps that even the greatest leaders have moments of doubt. Perhaps that the journey of faith is rarely a straight line. And perhaps that sometimes, even the ride on a Messianic donkey isn't enough to banish our fears. The journey to freedom, it seems, begins not just with a step, but with the courage to face our own hesitations.