It wasn't always meant to be this way, you know. According to the Legends of the Jews, it all goes back to the Golden Calf.
Imagine, if you will, a world where every single Israelite was a priest, a direct conduit to God. A nation of holy people. But then came the sin, the terrible mistake of worshipping a false idol. And as Ginzberg retells it in Legends of the Jews, that act changed everything. It was after this transgression that most of the people lost their right to the priesthood. That unique, universal connection was broken, and a select group, the priestly caste, took on the responsibility.
So, what happened next?
God gave Moses very specific instructions. He was to transmit God’s words to the people, exactly as they were, in the original lashon hakodesh, the Holy Tongue, Hebrew. No additions, no subtractions, every nuance preserved.
And Moses, ever the faithful messenger, immediately went to the people. He didn't even stop to see his family first! His priority was delivering God’s word. Isn't that amazing?
He began with the elders, always remembering to honor them. As we find in Midrash Rabbah, respect for elders is paramount. Then, in a clear and organized way, he presented the message to everyone – men, women, all the Israelites.
And here's where it gets really powerful. Of their own free will, with hearts full of joy, each Israelite declared their willingness to accept the Torah. They said "Na'aseh v'nishma" — we will do and we will understand. They were ready to commit to God's teachings. What an incredible moment of unity and faith!
Moses, upon hearing the people's acceptance, returned to God. Now, God, being omniscient, already knew the answer. But as Legends of the Jews points out, proper etiquette dictates that a messenger reports back to the sender, regardless. It's about respect, about completing the circle of communication.
Then God says something truly profound to Moses: "I will come to thee in a thick cloud and repeat to thee the commandments that I gave thee on Marah, so that what thou tellest them may seem to the people as important as what they hear from Me."
Think about that for a moment. God wasn't just concerned about Moses' authority in that moment. He was thinking about the future. "But not only in thee shall they have faith," God says, "but also in the prophets and sages that will come after thee."
God was establishing a lineage of leadership, ensuring that future generations would also trust in the wisdom and guidance of those who came after Moses. This wasn't just about one person; it was about the continuity of faith, the transmission of tradition, from generation to generation. It's a beautiful reminder that we are all part of something much larger than ourselves, a chain of faith stretching back to the very beginning.