We read in the Torah that God spoke to Moses from the Tent of Meeting, the Ohel Moed (אוהל מועד). But we also read that God spoke to him from above the kaporet (כפורת), the ark cover. So, which was it? The Tent? The Ark?

This seeming contradiction is addressed in Sifrei Bamidbar, a collection of rabbinic legal interpretations on the Book of Numbers. It grapples with the verse, "And when Moses came to the tent of meeting..." (Numbers 7:89). Why does the Torah even need to tell us this? We already know God spoke to Moses from the Tent! As we see in Leviticus 1:1, "And the Lord spoke to him from the tent of meeting.”

The text highlights the apparent conflict: Exodus 25:22 states, "And I will be appointed for you (to speak to you) there, and I will speak to you from above the kaporet (the ark cover)." It seems impossible to reconcile these verses. How can it be both from the Tent and from above the Ark?

The Sifrei explains that this is a classic case of seemingly contradictory verses. "Two verses which contradict each other are to 'remain in their place' until a third verse comes and reconciles them." And that third verse? Numbers 7:89 itself: "And when Moses came to the tent of meeting."

This verse, according to the Sifrei, reveals the process. Moses would enter and stand in the Tent of Meeting. Then, the Divine Voice would descend from the highest heavens, all the way down to the space between the two cherubs on the Ark cover. And there, in that holy space, Moses would hear God's voice. Think of it! The voice traveling from the highest heaven to this specific point.

It’s a powerful image, isn’t it?

But the Sifrei isn’t done yet. Rabbi Yehudah ben Betheira offers another layer of understanding. He points out thirteen instances where God speaks to Moses, using language that seems to include Aaron, but in reality, only addresses Moses. These thirteen "exclusions," as he calls them, teach that while the communication happened in their shared presence, the message was specifically for Moses to then relay to Aaron.

Consider Exodus 25:22: "And I will be appointed for you there, and I will speak with you, all that I shall command you." Sounds like both Moses and Aaron. But Rabbi Yehudah ben Betheira says, no. This, and twelve other similar instances – including verses from Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers – highlight Moses’ unique role as the primary receiver of divine instruction.

These exclusions, scattered throughout the Torah, underscore the unique relationship between God and Moses, a relationship of direct communication and divine instruction. Other examples include Exodus 30:6 ("where I will be appointed for you") and Numbers 7:89 ("And when Moses came to the tent of meeting to speak with Him").

So, what do we take away from all of this? Perhaps it's a reminder that even seemingly contradictory texts can hold profound truths. That by delving deeper, by exploring the nuances and layers of meaning, we can gain a richer understanding of the divine-human relationship, and especially the unique role of Moses as a prophet. It also reminds us that sometimes, understanding requires recognizing who is not being addressed, as much as who is.