170. . . . and Moses - Breaking Free

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Bringing Heaven Down to Earth

Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson

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Moses took ownership of the dark as well as the light. He argued not just for the righteous, but also for those who had failed.

When the people angered G‑d with a golden calf only 40 days after the revelation of Absolute Oneness at Mount Sinai, Moses had to admit they had wronged. Yet he did more than plead for them: he put his entire being on the line for them.

“Forgive them!” he demanded. “And if you do not forgive them, then wipe me out from Your book that You have written!”

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	Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson More articles... \|
	From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. To order Rabbi Freeman’s book, Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, click here.

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:

Posted: Jan 2, 2011

And Moses

One could discuss for hours what were the inner conflicts that Moses was going through when he said to G-d ,that if he can't forgive them then wipe me out from your book that you have written-Nobody was more humble than Moses that is for s sure. Humble and Naturally and through instinct-he loved the people and fought for them. Also I'd like to say that his struggle to help the people came from another inner force other than ego.-Thank you for writing this

Posted By Judith Witten, Brockton, Ma/USA

Posted: Jan 2, 2011

For Anonymous in Camarillo

Firstly, nothing written here is my own creativity. As the byline says, these are only paraphrases of the Rebbe's works.

Whenever examining a text, it is important to view the text within its context. Read the story from the beginning. You can find it in translation here.

Note G-d's words to Moses, "Now leave Me alone, and My anger will be kindled against them so that I will annihilate them, and I will make you into a great nation." Moses turned down that offer.

Now note the context of Moses' plea cited in my paraphrase above (verse 32). He is pleading on behalf of his people--and his plea works. If the meaning is as you state, what kind of an argument is that? "If you don't excuse them, it will be bad for my reputation." So what? I'll make you a great people yourself, and that will be even better for your reputation!

Rather, it was Moses' insistence that a Torah of this sort was one with which he could not live with that won out in the end.

Posted By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman (author)

Posted: Jan 2, 2011

Tzvi is creative, but the Torah says Tzvi's wrong

This passage does not say Moses put his being on the line for the people. It says that he put his life on the line for the sake of his own personal reputation. After taking the people out of Egypt, where they lacked freedom but were at least able to stay alive, and into the wilderness, knowing that he was risking their lives by doing so, he said that he did not want to be held responsible in the event that his mission failed.

He said if you will not forgive them, then delete all references to me from the historical account, so that no one reads that I am the one who led the people to their deaths and failed to save them; I only want to be known as the leader of this journey if you decide to let them live, and not if it is a failure. I do not want to be remembered as the one who cost them their lives; if they are going to die, don't let anyone know I was a part of this ill-fated expedition.

As he would take responsibility if it failed, he should not be held credited for success.

Posted By Anonymous, Camarillo, CA

Posted: Jan 2, 2011

Moses Demands

Rabbi Freeman, this is such a wonderful teaching. I believe we are all in this world struggling with the same problems still. Millions out there have been abused because of...many reasons. By our families, friends...
Yet, when we are looking for the path of righteousness through Torah teachings. We find how good our Eternal G-d is and we need to meditate on His mercies, which are eternal. It is very difficult to forgive, but through Him we can succeed in our efforts.Now, one thing I would like to ask you, when the person who hurts you does not change (family), do we reject this person's slander of other relatives? This behavior seems to instill the anger caused by the hurt. It is a vicious circle that keep on renewing this horrendous feelings and then guilt. How do we rung away from a relative? Should we? Especially when we have advised them to seek G-d and His teachings and stuborness keep them in the same path of life which bring no change in their lives for the better.

Posted By Anonymous, Mesa, Arizona, USA

Posted: Mar 16, 2008

;-)

I LOVE this one! ;-)

Why don't the numbers show up the same as in my book?

Posted By Hadassah, Aventura, FL

Breaking Free


	Ego


	Beyond I


	Leaving Egypt


	Four Realms


	Escape


	Fur Coats & Furnaces


	Noah and Abraham


	. . . and Moses


	The Ultimate Sacrifice


	Ego Dieting


	Beyond Limitations


	Free Love


	Sincerity


	Liberated by Betrothal


	Escape

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