But why from darkness? Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating text of Jewish lore, gives us a glimpse into this mystery.

The text points out that when it comes to Moses, the Torah specifically says he "drew near" to God (Exodus 24:2). But for the rest of the commandments? God spoke through Moses. It's like Proverbs 25:13 says: "As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him." Moses was the ultimate faithful messenger, delivering God’s word.

But let's get back to that darkness. Why did God choose to reveal His voice “out of the midst of the darkness, and not out of the midst of the light,” as 2 Samuel 15:10 puts it?

Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer uses a parable to explain. Imagine a king marrying off his son. He hangs black curtains in the wedding chamber, not white. Why? Because he knows his son will only remain with his wife for forty days. He doesn’t want people saying he was an astrologer who foresaw the marriage’s end but did nothing. He knew.

This, the text suggests, is like God, whose son is Israel, and the bride is the Torah. The Holy One, blessed be He, knew that Israel wouldn't remain loyal to the commandments forever—specifically, for more than forty days (a poignant reminder of the Golden Calf incident). Therefore, God chose to reveal His voice from darkness, rather than light.

It's a powerful image. It suggests that even within the most sacred union, there's an awareness of fragility, a shadow of potential failure. And perhaps, paradoxically, that awareness is what makes the connection all the more precious and real. It’s why Deuteronomy 5:28 emphasizes, "And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice..." The hearing, the acknowledgment of that voice in the darkness, is key.

So, the next time you find yourself encountering wisdom or truth in an unexpected or even uncomfortable place, remember the darkness at Sinai. Maybe it’s not about the absence of light, but about the presence of something profound that can only be truly heard in the shadows. What do you think? Is it about lowering expectations, or about appreciating the gift for what it is, while it lasts?