It's not just good manners; it's deeply rooted in our tradition. Think about it: before asking for something big, wouldn't you acknowledge the power and greatness of the one you're asking?
That's exactly what Moses did before blessing Israel. He didn't just dive right in. First, he sang a song glorifying God. Why? Because, as the text says, it’s fitting to glorify God's name before asking a favor of Him. It’s a beautiful act of humility and recognition.
The song itself is fascinating. According to Legends of the Jews, Moses described how God revealed Himself to Israel when bestowing the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Pentateuch). But here's the twist: God didn't just appear from one direction. He appeared from all four!
“He ‘came from Sinai,’ which is in the South, ‘and rose from Seir unto them,’ that is in the East; ‘He shined forth from mount Paran,’ that is in the North, ‘and he came from the ten thousands of holy’ angels that dwell in the West.” Imagine that for a moment – a divine presence enveloping them from every point on the compass. What a powerful image!
But it gets even more interesting. God didn’t just speak in one language. He proclaimed the Torah in multiple tongues. As the text notes, He spoke “not only in the language of Sinai, that is Hebrew, but also in the tongue of Seir, that is Roman, as well as in Paran's speech, that is Arabic, and in the speech of Kadesh, that is Aramaic.” God offered the Torah not just to Israel, but to all nations. Talk about inclusivity!
Why did He do this? Well, the text suggests that while God offered the Torah to everyone, not everyone wanted it. It says, "These, however, did not want to accept it, hence His wrath against them, and His especial love for Israel who, despite their awed fear and trembling upon God's appearance on Sinai, still accepted the Torah." It highlights Israel's unique commitment, even amidst the overwhelming experience at Sinai.
And then Moses, in his song, makes a heartfelt plea: "Lord of the World! When Israel shall have been driven out of their land, be mindful still of the merits of their Patriarchs and stand by them, deliver them in Thy mercy from 'the yoke of the nations,' and from death, and guide them in the future world as Thou didst lead them in the desert." It's a prayer for resilience, for remembrance, and for continued guidance through times of hardship.
Think about the weight of those words. Moses, on the cusp of his own departure, is already anticipating the challenges that lay ahead for his people. He is pleading for God's unwavering support, drawing on the strength of their ancestors.
So, what do we take away from this? Perhaps it's a reminder that before we ask for blessings, we should acknowledge the source of all blessings. Maybe it's a reflection on the universal nature of God's offer and the unique responsibility that comes with accepting it. Or perhaps it's simply a powerful image of a leader, Moses, advocating for his people, even in the face of future uncertainty. Food for thought, isn’t it?