## Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:1 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:1) (שמות כ,יד) **["וְכָל הָעָם רֹאִים אֶת הַקּוֹלֹת וְאֶת הַלַּפִּידִם, וְאֵת קוֹל הַשֹּׁפָר וְאֶת הָהָר עָשֵׁן, וַיַּרְא הָעָם וַיָּנֻעוּ, וַיַּעַמְדוּ מֵרָחֹק."] "וְכָל הָעָם רֹאִים אֶת הַקּוֹלֹת"**. רוֹאִין אֶת הַנִּרְאֶה וְשׁוֹמְעִין אֶת הַנִּשְׁמָע. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָה אוֹמֵר: רוֹאִין וְשׁוֹמְעִין אֶת הַנִּרְאֶה. רוֹאִין דִּבֵּר שֶׁלָּאֵשׁ יוֹצֵא מִפִּי הַגְּבוּרָה, וְנֶחְצָב עַל הַלּוּחוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים כט,ז) "קוֹל יי חֹצֵב לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ." **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** (Ibid. 20:15) "And all the people saw the sounds and the lightnings": They saw what was visible and heard what was audible. These are the words of R. Yishmael. R. Akiva says: They saw and heard what was audible. There was nothing that left the mouth of the Omnipotent which was not inscribed on the tablets, as it is written (Psalms 29:7) "The voice of the L–rd hews (with) flames of fire." ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:2 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:2) **"וְכָל הָעָם רֹאִים אֶת הַקּוֹלֹת"**, קוֹל קוֹלֵי קוֹלוֹת וְלַפִּיד לַפִּידֵי לַפִּידִים. וְכַמָּה קוֹלוֹת הָיוּ, וְכַמָּה לַפִּידִים הָיוּ? אֶלָּא שֶׁהָיוּ מַשְׁמִיעִין אֶת הָאָדָם לְפִי כֹחוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים כט,ד) "קוֹל יי בַּכֹּחַ". **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** "And all the people saw": the sounds of sounds and the flames of flames. How many sounds were there and how many flames were there? The intent is that each heard according to his power (to absorb what he experienced), viz. (Psalms 29:4) "the voice of the L–rd in power, the voice of the L–rd in majesty." ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:3 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:3) רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: לְהוֹדִיעַ שְׁבָחָן שֶׁלְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁכְּשֶׁעָמְדוּ כֻלָּן לִפְנֵי הַר סִינַי לְקַבֵּל אֶת הַתּוֹרָה, הָיוּ שׁוֹמְעִין אֶת הַדִּבּוּר וּמְפָרְשִׁין אוֹתוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים לב,י) "יְסֹבְבֶנְהוּ יְבוֹנְנֵהוּ",¹ שֶׁמִּכֵּיוָן שֶׁהָיָה הַדִּבּוּר יוֹצֵא, הָיוּ מְפָרְשִׁים אוֹתוֹ. footnotes: ¹ יְבוֹנְנֵהוּ: יתן בו בינה. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** Variantly: "And all the people saw": to apprise us of the exalted state of Israel. When they all stood at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, as soon as they heard the pronouncement, they assimilated it. As it is written (Devarim 32:10) "He encircled him; he invested him (with understanding). As soon as they heard the pronouncement, they assimilated it. ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:4 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:4) רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: לְהוֹדִיעַ שְׁבָחָן שֶׁלְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁכְּשֶׁעָמְדוּ כֻלָּן לִפְנֵי הַר סִינַי לְקַבֵּל אֶת הַתּוֹרָה, מַגִּיד שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ בָהֶן סוֹמִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמות כ,יד) "וְכָל הָעָם רֹאִים"; מְלַמֵּד שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ בָהֶן אִלְּמִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמות יט,י) "וַיַּעֲנוּ כָל הָעָם יַחְדָּו"; מְלַמֵּד שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ בָהֶן חֵרְשִׁין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמות כד,ז) "כֹּל אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יי, נַעֲשֶׂה וְנִשְׁמָע." מְלַמֵּד שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ בָהֶן חִגְּרִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמות יט,יח) "וַיִּתְיַצְּבוּ בְּתַחְתִּית הָהָר." וּמְלַמֵּד שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ בָהֶן טִפְּשִׁין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים ד,לה) "אַתָּה הָרְאֵתָ לָדַעַת". **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** R. Eliezer says: to apprise us of the exalted state of Israel. When they all stood at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, there were no blind ones among them, viz. "And all the people saw." And whence is it derived that there were no mutes among them? From (Exodus 19:8) "And all the people answered together." And whence is it derived that there were no deaf ones among them? From (Ibid. 24:7) "All that the L–rd has spoken, we shall do and we shall hear." And whence is it derived that there were no large ones among them? From (Ibid. 17) "And they stood at the foot of the mountain." And whence is it derived that there were no fools among them? From (Devarim 4:35) "You have been shown to know, etc." ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:5 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:5) רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: מְנַיִן אַתָּה אוֹמֵר, שֶׁהֶרְאָה הַמָּקוֹם לְאַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ גֵּיהִנָּם וּמַתַּן תּוֹרָה וּקְרִיעַת יַם סוּף? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (בראשית טו,יז) "וַיְהִי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בָּאָה, וַעֲלָטָה הָיָה, וְהִנֵּה תַנּוּר עָשָׁן וְלַפִּיד אֵשׁ אֲשֶׁר עָבַר בֵּין הַגְּזָרִים הָאֵלֶּה." וְהִנֵּה תַנּוּר עָשָׁן", זֶה גֵּיהִנָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ישעיה לא,ט) "וְתַנּוּר לוֹ בִּירוּשָׁלִָם." "וְלַפִּיד אֵשׁ", זֶה מַתַּן תּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: **"וְכָל הָעָם רֹאִים אֶת הַקּוֹלֹת וְאֶת הַלַּפִּידִם"**. (בראשית טו,יז) "אֲשֶׁר עָבַר בֵּין הַגְּזָרִים הָאֵלֶּה", זֶה קְרִיעַת יַם סוּף, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים קלו,יג) "לְגֹזֵר יַם סוּף לִגְזָרִים". **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** R. Nathan says: Whence is it derived that the L–rd showed our father Abraham, Gehennom, the giving of the Torah and the splitting of the Red Sea? From (Genesis 15:17) "And it was, when the sun had set, and it was dark, and, behold, a smoking furnace" — Gehennom, viz. (Isaiah 31:9) "He has an oven in Jerusalem." And "the torch of fire" (Genesis, Ibid.) — the lightning, viz. (Exodus 20:15) "And all the people saw the sounds and the lightnings. (Genesis, Ibid. 19) "between these pieces" — the splitting of the Red Sea — viz. (Psalms 136:13) "Who split the Red Sea into pieces." ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:6 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:6) הֶרְאָהוּ בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ וְסֵדֶר קָרְבָּנוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (בראשית טו,ט) "וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו: קְחָה לִי עֶגְלָה מְשֻׁלֶּשֶׁת,¹ וְעֵז מְשֻׁלֶּשֶׁת, וְאַיִל מְשֻׁלָּשׁ, וְתֹר וְגוֹזָל." footnotes: ¹ מְשֻׁלֶּשֶׁת: בת שלוש שנים, כלומר בשנתה השלישית. פירוש אחר: שלישית לבטן. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** He showed him the Temple and the order of sacrifices, viz. (Genesis, Ibid. 9) "Take for Me a three-year-old heifer, etc." ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:7 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:7) הֶרְאָהוּ אַרְבַּע מַלְכִיּוֹת שֶׁהֵן עֲתִידִין לְשַׁעְבֵּד אֶת בָּנָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (בראשית טו,יב) "וַיְהִי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לָבוֹא, וְתַרְדֵּמָה נָפְלָה עַל אַבְרָם, וְהִנֵּה אֵימָה חֲשֵׁכָה גְדֹלָה נֹפֶלֶת עָלָיו." "אֵימָה", זוֹ מַלְכוּת בָּבֶל; "חֲשֵׁכָה", זוֹ מַלְכוּת מָדַי; "גְדֹלָה", זוֹ מַלְכוּת יָוָן; "נֹפֶלֶת", זוֹ מַלְכוּת רְבִיעִית. וְיֵשׁ מַחְלִיפִין בַּדָּבָר: "נֹפֶלֶת עָלָיו", זוֹ מַלְכוּת בָּבֶל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ישעיה כא,ט) "נָפְלָה בָּבֶל"; "גְדֹלָה", זוֹ מַלְכוּת מָדַי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (אסתר ג,ז) "גִּדַּל הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ"; "חֲשֵׁכָה", זוֹ מַלְכוּת יָוָן, שֶׁהֶחְשִׁיכָה עֵינֵיהֶם שֶׁלְּיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּתַעְנִית; "אֵימָה", זוֹ מַלְכוּת רְבִיעִית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: *(דניאל ז,ז)¹ "דְּחִילָה וְאֵימְתָנִי וְתַקִּיפָא יַתִּירָה". footnotes: ¹ * נוֹרָאָה וְאֵימְתָנִית וַחֲזָקָה מְאוֹד. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** He showed him the four kingdoms that were destined to subjugate his children, viz. (Ibid. 12) "And when the sun was about to set, and a deep sleep fell upon Avram, and, behold, a great dark dread fell upon him": "dread" — the kingdom of Bavel. "dark" — the kingdom of Madai. "great' — the kingdom of Greece. "fell" — the wicked Rome. Some transpose it: "fell" — the kingdom of Bavel, viz. (Isaiah 21:9) "Bavel has fallen." "great" — the kingdom of Madai, viz. (Esther 3:1) "King Achashverosh made great, etc." "dark" — the kingdom of Greece, which darkened the eyes of Israel with afflictions. "dread" — the fourth kingdom, viz. (Daniel 7:7) "… fearful, dreadful, and of great strength."... ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:8 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:8) **"וַיַּרְא הָעָם וַיָּנֻעוּ"**. אֵין נוּעַ בְּכָל מָקוֹם אֶלָּא זִיעַ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ישעיה כד,כ) "נוֹעַ תָּנוּעַ אֶרֶץ". **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** (Exodus 20:15) "And the people saw and 'yanu'u.'" "Nua" connotes quaking, as in (Isaiah 24:10) "The land noa tanua." ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:9 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:9) **"וַיַּעַמְדוּ מֵרָחֹק"**, חוּץ מִשְּׁנֵים עָשָׂר מִיל. מַגִּיד שֶׁהָיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל נִרְתָּעִים לַאֲחוֹרֵיהֶם שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר מִיל, וְחוֹזְרִין לִפְנֵיהֶם שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר מִיל, עֶשְׁרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה מִיל עַל כָּל דִּבֵּר וְדִבֵּר. נִמְצְאוּ מְהַלְּכִים בְּאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם מָאתַיִם וְאַרְבָּעִים מִיל. בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה אָמַר הַמָּקוֹם לְמַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת: רְדוּ וְסַיְּעוּ אֶת אֲחֵיכֶם! שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים סח,יג) "מַלְכֵי צְבָאוֹת יִדֹּדוּן יִדֹּדוּן",¹ יִדֹּדוּן בַּהֲלִיָכה, יִדֹּדוּן בַּחֲזִירָה. וְלֹא מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת בִּלְבַד, אֶלָּא אַף הַקֹּדֶשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שיר השירים ב,ו) "שְׂמֹאלוֹ תַּחַת לְרֹאשִׁי, וִימִינוֹ תְּחַבְּקֵנִי." footnotes: ¹ מַלְכֵי צְבָאוֹת. בכתבי יד אוקספורד ומינכן: מלאכי צבאות. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** (Ibid.) "And they stood from afar": outside of twelve mil (the distance of the Israelite encampment). We are hereby apprised that Israel receded twelve mil and returned twelve mil for each pronouncement. So that on that day they are found to have walked two hundred and forty mil. At that time the Holy One Blessed be He said to the ministering angels: Go down and help your brothers, as it is written (Psalms 68:13) "The kings of legions will move, will move" — they will move in going and they will move in returning. And not the ministering angels alone, but the Holy One Blessed be He Himself. As it is written (Song of Songs 2:6) "His left hand under my head, and His right hand will embrace me." ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:10 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:10) רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בְּרַבִּי אִלְעַי אוֹמֵר: לְפִי שֶׁהָיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל מְשֻׁלְהָבִין מֵחֲמַת הָאֵשׁ שֶׁלְּמַעְלָן, אָמַר הַמָּקוֹם לַעֲנָנֵי כָבוֹד: הַזִּילוּ טַל חַיִּים עַל בָּנַי! שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים סח,ט) "אֶרֶץ רָעָשָׁה, אַף שָׁמַיִם נָטְפוּ מִפְּנֵי אֱלֹהִים, זֶה סִינַי, מִפְּנֵי אֱלֹהִים, אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל." וְאוֹמֵר (תהלים סח,י) "גֶּשֶׁם נְדָבוֹת תָּנִיף אֱלֹהִים". אֵימָתַי נֶעֱשָׂה כָּל הַכָּבוֹד הַזֶּה? בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהָיְתָה נָאָה שֶׁבָּאֻמּוֹת, וּמְכַבֶּדֶת אֶת הַתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים סח,יג) "וּנְוַת בַּיִת תְּחַלֵּק שָׁלָל." וְאֵין שָׁלָל אֶלָּא תּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים קיט,קסב) "שָׂשׂ אָנֹכִי עַל אִמְרָתֶךָ, כְּמוֹצֵא שָׁלָל רָב." **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** R. b. R. Ilai says: Because they were scorched by the sun above them, the Holy One Blessed be He said to the clouds of glory: Drip the dew of life upon My children, etc. (Psalms, Ibid. 9) "The earth quaked. The heavens, too, dripped before G–d. This is Sinai, etc.", and (Ibid. 11) "A bounteous rain did You drip, O G–d." When was all this honor conferred? When Israel was the most comely of the nations and honored the Torah. As it is written (Ibid. 13) "And the beauteous of the house divides the spoil, "spoil" being nothing other than Torah, viz. (Ibid. 119:62) "I rejoice over Your word as one who finds great spoil." ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:11 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:11) (שמות כ,טו) **"וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֶל מֹשֶׁה: דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה, וְאַל יְדַבֵּר עִמָּנוּ אֱלֹהִים, פֶּן נָמוּת."** מַגִּיד שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה בָהֶם כֹּחַ לְקַבֵּל יוֹתֵר מֵעֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים ה,כב) "אִם יֹסְפִים אֲנַחְנוּ לִשְׁמֹעַ אֶת קוֹל יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ עוֹד, וָמָתְנוּ." אֶלָּא, (דברים ה,כד) "קְרַב אַתָּה וּשְׁמָע!" מֵאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה, זָכוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְהַעֲמִיד הַמָּקוֹם מֵהֶן נְבִיאִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים יח,יח) "נָבִיא אָקִים לָהֶם". נָבִיא עָתִיד אֲנִי לְהַעֲמִיד מֵהֶם, אֶלָּא שֶׁקִּדְּמוּ הֵם בִּזְכוּת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים ה,כח) "וַיֹּאמֶר יי אֵלָי: הֵיטִיבוּ אֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּרוּ!" אַשְׁרֵי בְנֵי אָדָם שֶׁהַמָּקוֹם הוֹדָה לְדִבְרֵיהֶם! וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: (במדבר כז,ו) "כֵּן בְּנוֹת צְלָפְחָד דֹּבְרֹת". (במדבר לו,ה) "כֵּן מַטֵּה בְנֵי יוֹסֵף דֹּבְרִים." אַשְׁרֵי בְנֵי אָדָם שֶׁהַמָּקוֹם הוֹדָה לְדִבְרֵיהֶם! וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: (דברים יד,כ) "וַיֹּאמֶר יי: סָלַחְתִּי כִּדְבָרֶךָ!" עֲתִידִים אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם לוֹמַר: אַשְׁרֵי אָדָם שֶׁהַמָּקוֹם הוֹדָה לִדְבָרָיו! **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** (Exodus, Ibid. 16) "And they said to Moses: Speak, you, with us, and we will hear, (and let G–d not speak with us, lest we die.") We are hereby apprised that they lacked the strength to receive no more than ten pronouncements, viz. (Devarim 5:22) "If we continue hearing the voice of the L–rd our G–d, we will die," but (Ibid. 6) you draw near," and we will hear. At that time, Israel merited the L–rd's establishing prophets for them, as it is written (Ibid. 18:18) "A prophet shall I raise up for them, etc." I was destined to set up a prophet for them (later), but their merit preempted it, viz. (Ibid. 17) "And the L–rd said to me: They have done well in speaking as they did" (viz. Ibid. 16). Happy are those in whose words the L–rd concurs! And thus is it written (Numbers 27:7) "Rightly do the daughters of Tzelafchad speak," (Ibid. 36:5) "Rightly does the scribe of the sons of Yosef speak." Happy are those in whose words the L–rd concurs! And thus is it written (Ibid. 14:20) "I have forgiven because of your (Moses') words. ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:12 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:12) (דברים ה,כט) "מִי יִתֵּן וְהָיָה לְבָבָם זֶה", אִלּוּ אֶפְשָׁר לְהַעֲבִיר מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת, הָיִיתִי מַעֲבִירוֹ, אֶלָּא שֶׁכְּבָר נִגְזְרָה גְּזֵרָה. רַבִּי יוֹסֵה אוֹמֵר: עַל תְּנַי. כָּךְ עָמְדוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל הַר סִינַי, עַל תְּנַי שֶׁלֹּא יִשְׁלֹט בָּהֶם מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים פב,ו) "אֲנִי אָמַרְתִּי: אֱלֹהִים אַתֶּם, וּבְנֵי עֶלְיוֹן כֻּלְּכֶם!" חִבַּלְתֶּם מַעֲשֵׂיכֶם, (תהלים פב,ז) "אָכֵן כְּאָדָם תְּמוּתוּן, וּכְאַחַד הַשָּׂרִים תִּפֹּלוּ!" **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** (Devarim 5:26) "Would that this heart of theirs (were in them to fear Me and to keep all of My mitzvoth all of the days so that it be good for them and for their children forever.") If it were possible to remove the angel of death from them, I would do so — but the decree has already gone forth. R. Yossi says: On this condition did they stand on Mount Sinai, that the angel of death not prevail over them, as it is written (Psalms 82:6) "I said (when I gave you the Torah): You are angels and all heavenly creatures. But, as Adam you will die, (having perfected your ways as he did), and as one of the (first) princes will you fall." ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:13 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:13) (שמות כ,טז) **["וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל הָעָם: אַל תִּירָאוּ! כִּי לְבַעֲבוּר נַסּוֹת אֶתְכֶם בָּא הָאֱלֹהִים, וּבַעֲבוּר תִּהְיֶה יִרְאָתוֹ עַל פְּנֵיכֶם, לְבִלְתִּי תֶחֱטָאוּ."] "וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל הָעָם: אַל תִּירָאוּ!"** הֲרֵי מֹשֶׁה מְזָרְזָן, לְהוֹדִיעַ חָכְמָתוֹ שֶׁלְּמֹשֶׁה, הֵיאָךְ הָיָה עוֹמֵד וּמְפַיֵּס כָּל אוֹתָן הָאֲלָפִים וְכָל אוֹתָן הָרְבָבוֹת. עָלָיו מְפֹרָשׁ בַּקַּבָּלָה: (קהלת ז,יט) "הַחָכְמָה תָּעֹז לֶחָכָם מֵעֲשָׂרָה שַׁלִּיטִים". **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** (Exodus, Ibid. 17) "And Moses said to the people: Do not fear, etc.": to apprise us of Moses' wisdom, how he stood and appeased them, the thousands and the ten thousands. Of him it is written in the tradition (Koheleth 7:19) "Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers, etc." ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:14 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:14) **"כִּי לְבַעֲבוּר נַסּוֹת אֶתְכֶם"**. בִּשְׁבִיל לְגַדֵּל אֶתְכֶם בֵּין הָאֻמּוֹת. **"בָּא הָאֱלֹהִים, וּבַעֲבוּר תִּהְיֶה יִרְאָתוֹ עַל פְּנֵיכֶם"**. זוֹ בּוּשָׁה. סִימָן טוֹב בָּאָדָם שֶׁהוּא בַּיְשָׁן. **"לְבִלְתִּי תֶחֱטָאוּ."** מַגִּיד שֶׁהַבּוּשָׁה מְבִיאָה לִידֵי יִרְאַת חֵטְא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ירמיה ו,טו) "הֹבִישׁוּ כִּי תוֹעֵבָה עָשׂוּ! גַּם בּוֹשׁ לֹא יֵבוֹשׁוּ, גַּם הַכְלִים לֹא יָדָעוּ, לָכֵן יִפְּלוּ בַנֹּפְלִים, בְּעֵת פְּקַדְתִּים יִכָּשְׁלוּ, אָמַר יי." **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** (Exodus, Ibid.) "For in order to exert you": In order to make you great did G–d come. (Ibid.) "and so that His fear be upon your faces." "fear" (here) is shame-facedness. Shame-facedness is a good sign in a man. ... "so that you not sin." We are hereby apprised that shame-facedness leads to fear of sin, viz. (Jeremiah 6:15) "Were they ashamed that they committed abominations? ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:15 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:15) (שמות כ,יז) **["וַיַּעֲמֹד הָעָם מֵרָחֹק, וּמֹשֶׁה נִגַּשׁ אֶל הָעֲרָפֶל אֲשֶׁר שָׁם הָאֱלֹהִים."] "וַיַּעֲמֹד הָעָם מֵרָחֹק"**, אֵלּוּ שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר מִיל. מַגִּיד שֶׁהָיָה מַחֲנֵה יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר מִיל. וּמְנַיִן שֶׁהָיָה מַחֲנֵה יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר מִיל? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (במדבר לג,מט) "וַיַּחֲנוּ עַל הַיַּרְדֵּן, מִבֵּית הַיְשִׁמֹת עַד אָבֵל הַשִּׁטִּים", שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר מִיל. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** (Exodus, Ibid. 18) "And the people stood from afar": twelve mil, the distance of the Israelite encampment. And whence is it derived that this was the distance? From (Numbers 32:49) "And they encamped by the Jordan from Beth Hayeshimoth until Aveil Hashittim in the plains of Moav" (a distance of twelve mil.) ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:16 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:16) **"וּמֹשֶׁה נִגַּשׁ אֶל הָעֲרָפֶל"**. מִי גָּרַם לוֹ? עַנְוְתָנוּתוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (במדבר יב,ג) "וְהָאִישׁ מֹשֶׁה עָנָו מְאֹד". מַגִּיד הַכָּתוּב, שֶׁכָּל מִי שֶׁהוּא עָנָו, סוֹפוֹ לְהַשְׁרוֹת שְׁכִינָה עִם בְּנֵי אָדָם בָּאָרֶץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ישעיה נז,טו) "כִּי כֹה אָמַר רָם וְנִשָּׂא, שֹׁכֵן עַד וְקָדוֹשׁ שְׁמוֹ: מָרוֹם וְקָדוֹשׁ אֶשְׁכּוֹן", אֶת מִי? "וְאֶת דַּכָּא וּשְׁפַל רוּחַ", וְאוֹמֵר: (ישעיה סא,א) "רוּחַ אֲדֹנָי יי עָלָי, יַעַן מָשַׁח יי אֹתִי לְבַשֵּׂר עֲנָוִים, שְׁלָחַנִי לַחֲבֹשׁ לְנִשְׁבְּרֵי לֵב, לִקְרֹא לִשְׁבוּיִם דְּרוֹר, וְלַאֲסוּרִים פְּקַח קוֹחַ."¹ וְאוֹמֵר: (ישעיה סו,ב) "וְאֶת כָּל אֵלֶּה יָדִי עָשָׂתָה, וַיִּהְיוּ כָל אֵלֶּה, נְאֻם יי, וְאֶל זֶה אַבִּיט: אֶל עָנִי וּנְכֵה רוּחַ, וְחָרֵד עַל דְּבָרִי." וְאוֹמֵר: (תהלים נא,יט) "זִבְחֵי אֱלֹהִים, רוּחַ נִשְׁבָּרָה". footnotes: ¹ פְּקַח קוֹחַ: שחרור. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** (Ibid.) "And Moses entered into the mist": This (his closeness to the L–rd) was a function of his humility, viz. (Numbers 12:3) "And the man Moses was extremely humble, etc." Scripture hereby apprises us that if one is (truly) humble, in the end, he will cause the Shechinah to repose upon a man upon the earth, viz. (Isaiah 57:15) "For thus said the High and Exalted, who abides forever and whose name is holy (… I dwell with the oppressed and with the lowly of spirit, etc."), and (Ibid. 61:1) "The spirit of the L–rd G–d is upon me, for the L–rd has anointed me to bring tidings to the humble, etc.", and (Ibid. 66;2) "And all of these things My hand created (… but it is to this that I look, to the poor and broken-spirited, etc."), and (Psalms 51:19) "The sacrifices of G–d are a broken spirit. A heart broken and oppressed, G–d will not despise." ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:17 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:17) וְכָל מִי שֶׁהוּא גְּבַהּ לֵב, גּוֹרֵם לְטַמֵּא אֶת הָאָרֶץ וּלְסַלֵּק אֶת הַשְּׁכִינָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים קא,ה) "גְּבַהּ עֵינַיִם וּרְחַב לֵבָב, אֹתוֹ לֹא אוּכָל." וְכָל גְּבַהּ לֵב קָרוּי תּוֹעֵבָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (משלי טז,ה) "תּוֹעֲבַת יי כָּל גְּבַהּ לֵב, יָד לְיָד לֹא יִנָּקֶה." עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה קְרוּיָה תּוֹעֵבָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים ז,כו) "וְלֹא תָבִיא תוֹעֵבָה אֶל בֵּיתֶךָ". כַּשֵּׁם שֶׁעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה מְטַמָּא אֶת הָאָרֶץ, וּמְסַלֶּקֶת אֶת הַשְּׁכִינָה, כָּךְ כָּל מִי שֶׁהוּא גְּבַהּ לֵב, גּוֹרֵם לְטַמֵּא אֶת הָאָרֶץ וּלְסַלֵּק אֶת הַשְּׁכִינָה. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** And all who are haughty of heart cause the land to be defiled and the Shechinah to depart, as it is written (Ibid. 101:5) "The haughty of eyes and the broad of heart, him will I not abide." And all the haughty of heart are called "abomination," as it is written (Mishlei 16:5) "The abomination of the L–rd are all the haughty of heart." And idolatry is called "abomination," as it is written (Devarim 7:26) "And you shall not bring an abomination into your house." Just as idolatry defiles the land and causes the Shechinah to depart, so do all the haughty of heart. ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:18 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:18) **"וּמֹשֶׁה נִגַּשׁ אֶל הָעֲרָפֶל אֲשֶׁר שָׁם הָאֱלֹהִים."** לִפְנִים מִשָּׁלֹשׁ מְחִיצוֹת: (דברים ד,יא) "חֹשֶׁךְ עָנָן וַעֲרָפֶל". "חֹשֶׁךְ", מִבַּחוּץ, "עָנָן", מִבִּפְנִים, "וַעֲרָפֶל", מִלִּפְנֵי וְלִפְנִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: **"וּמֹשֶׁה נִגַּשׁ אֶל הָעֲרָפֶל"**. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** "And Moses entered into the mist": within the three partitions: darkness, cloud, and mist. Darkness, the outermost; cloud, within; mist, the innermost. As it is written "And Moses entered into the mist, where G–d was. ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:19 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:19) (שמות כ,יח) **"וַיֹּאמֶר יי אֶל מֹשֶׁה: כֹּה תֹאמַר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל: אַתֶּם רְאִיתֶם כִּי מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם דִּבַּרְתִּי עִמָּכֶם."** בַּלָּשׁוֹן שֶׁאֲנִי אוֹמֵר לָךְ, בּוֹ תְדַבֵּר אֶל בָּנַי, בִּלְשׁוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁ. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** (Ibid. 19) "And the L–rd said to Moses: Thus shall you say to the children of Israel" — In the language that I speak, thus shall you speak to the children of Israel — in the holy tongue. Wherever "koh" ("thus"), "kachah" ("in this wise"), "aniyah" ("answering"), and "amirah" ("Saying") are used, the holy tongue is understood. ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:20 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:20](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:20) **"אַתֶּם רְאִיתֶם"**. הֶפְרֵשׁ בֵּין שֶׁאָדָם רוֹאֶה וּבֵין שֶׁאֲחֵרִים מְשִׂיחִין לוֹ: שֶׁכְּשֶׁאֲחֵרִים מְשִׂיחִין לוֹ, פְּעָמִים שֶׁלִּבּוֹ חָלוּק, אֲבָל כָּן, **"אַתֶּם רְאִיתֶם"**. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** (Ibid.) "You saw that from the heavens I spoke to you." There is a difference between one's seeing something (with his own eyes) and others' relating something to him. When others relate something to him, sometimes his heart is "divided" within him; but here — "You (yourselves) saw!" ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:21 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:21) רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: (שמות כ,יח) **"אַתֶּם רְאִיתֶם"**, לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר? לְפִי שֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר: (תהלים קלח,ד) "יוֹדוּךָ יי כָּל מַלְכֵי אָרֶץ, כִּי שָׁמְעוּ אִמְרֵי פִיךָ." יָכֹל כַּשֵּׁם שֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ, כָּךְ רָאוּ? תִּלְמֹד לוֹמַר **"אַתֶּם רְאִיתֶם"**, לֹא רָאוּ אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** R. Nathan says: What is the intent of this? From (Psalms 138:4) "All the kings of earth will acknowledge you, O L–rd, for they have heard the words of Your mouth," I might think that just as they heard, so, they saw. It is, therefore, written "You saw," but the nations of the world did not see. ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:22 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:22) **"כִּי מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם דִּבַּרְתִּי עִמָּכֶם."** כָּתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר **"כִּי מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם"**, וְכָתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר (שמות יט,כ) "וַיֵּרֶד יי עַל הַר סִינַי". כֵּיצַד יִתְקַיְּמוּ שְׁנֵי כְתוּבִין? הִכְרִיעַ: (דברים ד,לו) "מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם הִשְׁמִיעֲךָ אֶת קֹלוֹ לְיַסְּרֶךָּ". דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** (Ibid.) "that from the heavens I spoke to you": One verse states "that from the heavens, etc.", and another (Ibid. 19:20) "And the L–rd went down upon Mount Sinai!" How are these two verses to be reconciled? A third verse reconciles them, viz. (Devarim 4:36) "From the heavens He made you hear His voice to exhort you, and on the earth He showed you His great fire, and His works you heard from the midst of the fire." These are the words of R. Yishmael. ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:23 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:23) רַבִּי עֲקִיבָה אוֹמֵר: כָּתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר **"כִּי מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם"**, וְכָתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר: (שמות יט,כ) "וַיֵּרֶד יי עַל הַר סִינַי אֶל רֹאשׁ הָהָר", מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהִרְכִּין הַמָּקוֹם שְׁמֵי שָׁמַיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים עַל רֹאשׁ הָהָר, וְדִבֵּר עִמָּהֶן מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים ד,לו) "מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם הִשְׁמִיעֲךָ אֶת קֹלוֹ". וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: (תהלים יח,י) "וַיֵּט שָׁמַיִם וַיֵּרַד, וַעֲרָפֶל תַּחַת רַגְלָיו." **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** R. Akiva says: We are hereby taught that the Holy One Blessed be He bent the upper heavens over the top of the mountain, and He spoke to them from the heavens. As it is written (Psalms 18:10) "And He bent the heavens and descended, with mist between His feet." ###### Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:24 [Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 9:24](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mekhilta%20DeRabbi%20Yishmael/s/Tractate%20Bachodesh/r/9:24) רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: (שמות יט,כ) "וַיֵּרֶד יי עַל הַר סִינַי אֶל רֹאשׁ הָהָר", שׁוֹמֵעַ אֲנִי, כִּשְׁמוּעוֹ. אָמַרְתָּ, וּמָה אֶחָד מִשַּׁמָּשֵׁי שַׁמָּשִׁין, הֲרֵי הוּא בִמְקוֹמוֹ וְשֶׁלֹּא בִּמְקוֹמוֹ, קַל וָחֹמֶר לִכְבוֹדוֹ שֶׁלְּמִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם. **Mechilta, translated by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:** Rebbi says: "And the L–rd went down upon Mount Sinai upon the top of the mountain. And the L–rd called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up": Is this to be understood literally? Can you say such a thing? If one of His servants (e.g., the sun) makes his presence felt in its place and outside of its place, how much more so the glory of Him who spoke and brought the world into being! (The above, then, must perforce be understood figuratively and not literally.)