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Exodus 20:16 - Fear of Divine encounter

Exodus 20:16 - שמות 20:16

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֶל־מֹשֶׁה דַּבֵּר־אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה וְאַל־יְדַבֵּר עִמָּנוּ אֱלֹהִים פֶּן־נָמוּת׃

English Translation

And they said to Moshe, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

Transliteration

Vayomru el-Moshe dabber atah imanu venishma ve'al-yedabber imanu Elohim pen-namut.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה דַּבֵּר־אַתָּ֥ה עִמָּ֖נוּ וְנִשְׁמָ֑עָה וְאַל־יְדַבֵּ֥ר עִמָּ֛נוּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים פֶּן־נָמֽוּת׃
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה דַּבֵּר־אַתָּ֥ה עִמָּ֖נוּ וְנִשְׁמָ֑עָה וְאַל־יְדַבֵּ֥ר עִמָּ֛נוּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים פֶּן־נָמֽוּת׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The People's Request to Moshe

The verse (Shemot 20:16) describes Bnei Yisrael's reaction after experiencing the revelation at Har Sinai. Overwhelmed by the intensity of hearing Hashem's voice directly, they pleaded with Moshe to serve as an intermediary. Rashi explains that their request stemmed from their inability to endure the overwhelming holiness of direct Divine communication, fearing it would lead to their demise.

Spiritual Overwhelm at Har Sinai

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 29:3) elaborates that when Hashem spoke the first commandment, the souls of Bnei Yisrael left their bodies due to the intensity of the experience. Only through Hashem's mercy were their souls returned. This explains their statement "lest we die" - they recognized their physical limitations in the face of unmediated Divine revelation.

The Role of Moshe as Intermediary

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 1:5) discusses how Moshe's unique prophetic level made him the ideal intermediary. Unlike other prophets who received visions or allegories, Moshe could communicate with Hashem "face to face" (Bamidbar 12:8), making him uniquely qualified to transmit Torah to the people.

Two Aspects of Torah Transmission

  • Written Torah: The direct word of Hashem that the people couldn't endure hearing continuously
  • Oral Torah: The explanations and applications transmitted through Moshe and the chain of tradition

Kabbalistic Perspective

The Zohar (Shemot 84b) explains that this request created the need for the "cloaking" of Divine wisdom in human language and concepts, which is the essence of Torah she'ba'al peh (Oral Torah). This allowed the infinite wisdom to be accessible to finite human understanding.

Contemporary Lesson

The Sfat Emet teaches that this episode demonstrates the importance of da'at (knowledge) being properly balanced with yirah (awe). While direct experience of the Divine is overwhelming, the Torah provides the structured path to gradually elevate one's understanding and connection to Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Shabbat 88b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, illustrating the Israelites' fear of direct divine communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Jewish people ask Moshe to speak to them instead of Hashem?
A: The Jewish people were overwhelmed by the intense revelation at Mount Sinai and feared that hearing directly from Hashem would be too much for them to bear (Rashi on Exodus 20:16). They asked Moshe to be their intermediary because they trusted him and felt more comfortable receiving the Torah through him.
Q: What does this verse teach us about the Jewish people's reaction to Matan Torah (the giving of the Torah)?
A: This verse shows that while the Jewish people were eager to receive the Torah ('we will hear'), they also had a deep reverence and fear of Hashem's presence. The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 29:4) explains that their request demonstrated both their commitment to Torah and their humility in recognizing their human limitations.
Q: How does this verse relate to the way we learn Torah today?
A: Just as the Jewish people received the Torah through Moshe Rabbeinu, we continue to learn Torah through our teachers and sages. The Rambam (Hilchos Talmud Torah 1:3) teaches that this chain of transmission from teacher to student is essential for properly understanding and preserving Torah wisdom.
Q: Why did the people say 'lest we die' if Hashem spoke to them directly?
A: The Talmud (Shabbos 88b) explains that the intense spiritual experience of hearing Hashem's voice directly was so powerful that the people feared their physical bodies couldn't withstand it. This shows the tremendous holiness of divine communication and why Moshe, who had reached the highest spiritual level, was able to serve as the intermediary.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the people's request in this verse?
A: We learn the importance of approaching Torah study with both enthusiasm ('we will hear') and proper reverence. The Sforno notes that their request shows the balance between eagerness to learn and recognition of one's spiritual level. This teaches us to pursue Torah knowledge at a pace and method appropriate for our current understanding.