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Midrash Tanchuma, Shemot 15

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tanchuma, Shemot 15 Shemot 15 The Jewish Mythology Team

<b>And he looked; and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed (Exod. 3:2).</b> Because of this verse they held: The heavenly fire branches upwards as it burns, but is not consumed, and it is black in color. While here on earth, fire does not branch upwards (and) it is red in color. And though it consumes that which it touches, it does not burn. Therefore, <i>The bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed</i>.

And Moses said: <i>I will turn aside now, and see this great sight</i> (Exod. 3:3). R. Johanan held that Moses took three steps forward. R. Simeon the son of Lakish insisted that he did not step forward at all but simply turned his neck to observe it. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Because you troubled to look, be assured you will merit that I shall reveal Myself unto you. Forthwith, <i>And God called unto him out of the midst of the bush</i> (ibid., v. 4). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Because you responded <i>Here am I</i>, be assured that the time will come when you will pray on behalf of Israel and I will answer you at once, with the same words: <i>Then shalt thou call, and the Lord will answer; thou shalt cry, and He will say: “Here am I”</i> (Isa. 58:9).

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Midrash Tanchuma, Shemot 15

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