(Exod. 33:12:) AND MOSES SAID UNTO THE LORD: SEE, YOU SAY UNTO ME: BRING THIS PEOPLE UP…. it is written (in Ps. 77:6 [5]): I HAVE CONSIDERED THE DAYS OF OLD. The congregation of Israel said to the Holy One: Sovereign of the World, we sit and consider how many years you took to redeem us from Egypt, how many years you took to redeem us from Greece.⁵⁵ (Ps. 77:11 [10]) THIS IS MY WEAKNESS (rt.: HLH), THAT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE MOST HIGH MIGHT CHANGE. Resh Laqish said: If they are sick (rt.: HLH), they can be healed.⁵⁶ 17:2; Lam. R. 1:2:23. Lam. R. has R. Simeon b. Laqish continue: If there is a change of the right hand, there is no hope.

footnotes: ⁵⁵ Exod. R. 45:2. ⁵⁶ PRK

Another interpretation (of Ps. 77:11 [10]): THIS IS MY ENTREATY (rt.: HLT).⁵⁷, not as WEAKNESS. R. Alexandri said: All these things which came upon us happened because we did not entreat (rt.: HLH) the Holy One, and this word (ENTREATY) can only be a word for prayer. It is so used (in Mal. 1:9): AND NOW ENTREAT (rt.: HLT) THE FAVOR OF GOD! (Ps. 77:8 [7]:) WILL THE LORD FOREVER REJECT AND NEVER AGAIN BE FAVORABLE? In the past, when Moses was angry with Israel, the Holy One would placate him. Thus it is stated (in Exod. 33:11): THE LORD WOULD SPEAK UNTO MOSES FACE TO FACE AS ONE SPEAKS UNTO HIS FRIEND. THEN HE WOULD RETURN UNTO THE CAMP….

footnotes: ⁵⁷ So does R. Alexandri understand HLWTI

(Exod. 33:12:) AND MOSES SAID UNTO THE LORD. To what is the matter comparable? To a cavern which was located on the edge of the sea, and the sea filled it.⁵⁸ From then on the sea was flowing into the cave, and the cave making a return to the sea. (Exod. 33:1:) AND THE LORD SPOKE UNTO MOSES. (Exod. 33:5:) AND THE LORD SPOKE UNTO MOSES. (Exod. 33:12:) AND MOSES SAID UNTO THE LORD.⁵⁹

footnotes: ⁵⁸ Exod. R. 45:3. ⁵⁹ In other words, conversation between the Holy One and Moses flowed back and forth like tidal waters flowing in and out of a cavern.