We all know the big picture – freedom from slavery, the Ten Commandments. But what about the finer details? What was the tone, the emphasis, the heart of his message?
Well, according to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, the words Moses delivered were meant for everyone, women and men, leaders and the people as a whole. It wasn't secondhand knowledge, not just something written down or passed along. Moses wanted them to understand, "You yourselves have seen…" You’ve witnessed everything firsthand!
He reminded them of the miracles in Egypt. Even though the Egyptians were far from righteous – engaging in idolatry, violence, and immorality – God didn't punish them for those sins directly. No, according to this tradition, the punishment was for the specific harm they inflicted upon the Israelites. Think about that for a moment. Justice, even in the face of widespread wickedness, focused on the direct impact of the oppressor on the oppressed.
And then comes the promise. Moses tells them, on behalf of God, "…ye will I carry on the wings of eagles, on the day of the revelation at Sinai, and ye will I bring to Me when the Temple shall be erected." What a powerful image! Carried on eagles' wings! A direct path to the Divine. And the promise of even more miracles, once they accepted the Torah and lived by its laws. It’s like God was saying, "If I did all this before you agreed to the deal, imagine what I’ll do after!"
Moses acknowledges that starting anything new is hard. It's a universal truth, isn't it? But he reassures them that once they grow accustomed to obedience – to living by these new principles – everything else will become easier. It's a comforting thought.
Then comes a conditional promise, almost a contract. If they observe the covenant of Abraham, keep the Shabbat (the Sabbath), and abstain from idolatry, they will be God's treasured possession. He says, "…although everything belongs to Me, Israel will be My especial possession, because I led them out of Egypt, and freed them from bondage."
It's a profound analogy, this idea of a field inherited versus a field personally purchased. According to Moses, God is like someone who inherits many fields, but the one they bought with their own money, the one they earned, is the dearest to their heart. Israel, freed from slavery, is that earned possession.
But there’s a condition. God will reign alone over them, but only as long as they remain distinct from other nations. "…so long as you keep yourselves aloof from other peoples. If not, other peoples shall reign over you." Strong words! It's a call to maintain their identity, their unique covenant with God.
And the reward for obedience? Not just freedom from hardship, but something much greater: "…a nation of priests, and a holy nation." A society dedicated to serving God, a beacon of holiness in the world.
So, what do we take away from this glimpse into the words of Moses? It’s more than just a historical account. It's a reminder that freedom comes with responsibility, that covenants require commitment, and that the relationship between God and the Jewish people is a deeply personal one, forged in the fires of oppression and sealed with the promise of redemption. What does it mean for us, today, to be a "nation of priests?" Perhaps it is a question worth considering.