Moses in Rabbinic Literature - at The Burning Bush

At The Burning Bush

As the shepherd of his father-in-law he drove his sheep far into the desert Exodus 3:1, in order to prevent the sheep from grazing in fields not belonging to Jethro. Here God appeared to him and addressed him for seven consecutive days (ib. iii. 20). Moses, however, refused to listen, because he would not allow himself to be disturbed in the work for which he was paid. Then God caused the flaming bush to appear (Exodus 3:2-3), in order to divert Moses' attention from his work. The under-shepherds with Moses saw nothing of the marvelous spectacle, which Moses alone beheld Moses then interrupted his work, and stepped nearer the bush to investigate (ib. ii. 11). As Moses was at this time entirely inexperienced in prophecy, God, in calling him, imitated the voice of Amram, so as not to frighten him. Moses, who thought that his father, Amram, was appearing to him, said: "What does my father wish?" God answered: "I am the God of thy father" (Exodus 3:6), and gave him the mission to save Israel (ib.). Moses hesitated to accept the mission (compare Exodus 3:11) chiefly because he feared that his elder brother, Aaron, who until then had been the only prophet in Israel, might feel slighted if his younger brother became the savior of the people; whereupon God assured him that Aaron would be glad of it. According to another version (ib. xv. 15), Moses said to God: "Thou hast promised Jacob that Thou Thyself wouldest liberate Israel compare (Genesis 46:4), not appointing a mediator." God answered: "I myself will save them; but go thou first and announce to My children that I will do so." Moses consented, and went to his father-in-law, Jethro (Exodus 4:18), to obtain permission to leave Midian (Ned. 65a; Exodus Rabba 4:1-4), for he had promised not to leave Midian without his sanction. Moses departed with his wife and children, and met Aaron (compare Exodus 4:27), who told him it was not right to take them into Egypt, since the attempt was being made to lead the Israelites out of that country. He therefore sent his wife and children back to Midian ("Book of Jasher" p. 123a; Mek., Yitro, 1 ). When they went to Pharaoh, Moses went ahead, Aaron following, because Moses was more highly regarded in Egypt; otherwise Aaron and Moses were equally prominent and respected (Mek., Bo, 1 ). At the entrance to the Egyptian royal palace were two leopards, which would not allow any one to approach unless their guards quieted them; but when Moses came they played with him and fawned upon him as if they were his dogs ("D. Y." l.c.; "Book of Jasher" l.c.). According to another version, there were guards at every entrance. Gabriel, however, introduced Moses and Aaron into the interior of the palace without being seen (Yalk., Shemot, 175). As Moses' appearance before Pharaoh resulted only in increasing the tasks of the children of Israel (compare Exodus 5), Moses returned to Midian; and, according to one version, he took his wife and children back at the same time. Possible meaning of the word "burning" in describing the "burning bush" in the Book of Exodus. "Burning" implies fire in most instances. In another explanation, it implies a golden glow or light similar to amber. In fact, the bush can have deep, pure green color, that when viewed in the Biblical symbol in Exodus, suggests perfection and ever- lasting life. Whenever one witnesses the symbol in this manner, he knows that the bush will never die.