That’s precisely what Moses did on Mount Sinai.

The story, as recounted in Legends of the Jews by Rabbi Louis Ginzberg, is truly astonishing. Moses, up on the mountain receiving the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "the Law"), dedicated himself entirely to its study. But it wasn't just a passive receiving; it was an active, all-consuming engagement.

For forty days and forty nights, Moses ate no bread and drank no water. How is that even possible? Well, the Rabbis offer a fascinating explanation, drawing upon an ancient proverb: "If thou enterest a city, observe its laws." In other words, adapt to your surroundings.

Think about it. When angels visited Abraham, they ate like men. They adapted. So too, Moses, being among angels, lived as they do, partaking of no earthly food.

But if Moses wasn't eating or drinking, what sustained him? The answer is beautiful: the radiance of the Shekinah. The Shekinah (שכינה) is the divine presence, the immanent aspect of God. It's described as a radiant light, and according to this tradition, it was this light that nourished Moses, just as it sustains the holy Hayyot (חַיּוֹת‎), the celestial beings who bear the Throne of God. Imagine being sustained by the very essence of divinity!

Moses didn't just passively absorb the Torah. He spent his days learning directly from God, and his nights repeating and internalizing what he had learned. He was constantly engaged with the divine word. This is such a powerful image of dedication and commitment.

Why this intense period of study and repetition? Because Moses was setting an example for all of Israel. He was showing them the importance of dedicating themselves to the Torah, both by day and by night. He was modeling what it meant to truly live a life guided by divine wisdom.

What does it mean for us? Perhaps it's not about literally fasting for forty days, but about finding ways to immerse ourselves in learning, to dedicate ourselves to understanding and internalizing the wisdom that guides our lives. Can we, even in small ways, emulate Moses's devotion and allow the light of the Shekinah – the divine presence – to nourish our souls?