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Deuteronomy 5:5 - Moshe mediates divine revelation fearfully

Deuteronomy 5:5 - דברים 5:5

Hebrew Text

אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין־יְהוָה וּבֵינֵיכֶם בָּעֵת הַהִוא לְהַגִּיד לָכֶם אֶת־דְּבַר יְהוָה כִּי יְרֵאתֶם מִפְּנֵי הָאֵשׁ וְלֹא־עֲלִיתֶם בָּהָר לֵאמֹר׃

English Translation

(I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to show you the word of the Lord: for you were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up to the mountain;) saying,

Transliteration

Anokhi omed bein-Adonai uveineikhem ba'et hahi lehagid lakhem et-dvar Adonai ki yereitem mipnei ha'esh velo-alitem bahar lemor.

Hebrew Leining Text

אָ֠נֹכִ֠י עֹמֵ֨ד בֵּין־יְהֹוָ֤ה וּבֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔וא לְהַגִּ֥יד לָכֶ֖ם אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה כִּ֤י יְרֵאתֶם֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י הָאֵ֔שׁ וְלֹֽא־עֲלִיתֶ֥ם בָּהָ֖ר לֵאמֹֽר׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
אָ֠נֹכִ֠י עֹמֵ֨ד בֵּין־יְהֹוָ֤ה וּבֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔וא לְהַגִּ֥יד לָכֶ֖ם אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה כִּ֤י יְרֵאתֶם֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י הָאֵ֔שׁ וְלֹֽא־עֲלִיתֶ֥ם בָּהָ֖ר לֵאמֹֽר׃ {ס}        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)

The verse (Devarim 5:5) appears in Moshe's recounting of the revelation at Har Sinai (Mount Sinai). Here, Moshe emphasizes his role as an intermediary between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael during Matan Torah (the Giving of the Torah). The people, overwhelmed by the fire and thunder, requested that Moshe relay Hashem's words to them rather than experiencing direct communication (see Shemot 20:16).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 5:5) clarifies that Moshe stood between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael only after they expressed fear and requested his mediation. Initially, Hashem intended to speak directly to the entire nation (as stated in Shemot 19:9), but their fear led to Moshe becoming the conduit for divine communication. Rashi emphasizes that this was not Hashem's original plan but a concession to their spiritual state.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed 2:33), Rambam explains that the people's fear stemmed from their inability to comprehend the overwhelming divine revelation. Their request for Moshe to serve as an intermediary was a necessary step to receive the Torah in a way they could process, highlighting the principle that divine communication must align with human capacity.

Talmudic and Midrashic Insights

  • Shabbat 88b: The Talmud teaches that at Har Sinai, Bnei Yisrael were initially elevated to a prophetic level where they could hear the first two commandments directly from Hashem. However, their souls left their bodies due to the intensity (as per "נפשם יצאה בדברו"), prompting them to ask Moshe to intervene.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Yitro 16): The Midrash compares Bnei Yisrael's fear to a king's servant who, when asked to deliver a message directly, insists on hearing it through a mediator to avoid misinterpreting the king's words. This reflects their humility and reverence for Hashem’s word.

Maharal's Interpretation

The Maharal (Gur Aryeh on Devarim 5:5) explains that Moshe's role as intermediary was essential to bridge the infinite (Hashem) and the finite (humanity). The "fire" symbolizes the unapproachable holiness of divine revelation, which required Moshe—a human with unparalleled prophetic ability—to make it accessible to the nation.

Halachic Implication

The Ramban (Devarim 5:5) notes that this event established the model of Torah transmission through a reliable chain of scholars (מסורה), ensuring authenticity. This underscores the importance of Moshe Rabbeinu and subsequent sages in preserving and teaching Torah accurately.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 5:5 mean when it says Moshe stood between Hashem and the people?
A: This verse refers to the event at Har Sinai (Mount Sinai) when Bnei Yisrael (the Children of Israel) were afraid to directly receive the Torah from Hashem due to the intense fire and thunder (Rashi on Deuteronomy 5:5). Moshe served as an intermediary to convey Hashem's words to the people in a way they could handle.
Q: Why were the people afraid to go up the mountain according to Deuteronomy 5:5?
A: The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 29:3) explains that the revelation at Har Sinai was overwhelmingly powerful - with thunder, lightning, and fire. The people felt unworthy and fearful of such direct contact with the Divine Presence, so they asked Moshe to be their intermediary instead.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 5:5 about leadership?
A: The Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:6) derives from this verse that a true leader like Moshe must be willing to stand between the people and Hashem - not to separate them, but to help bridge the gap and make Divine wisdom accessible according to each person's capacity to receive it.
Q: How does Deuteronomy 5:5 relate to the giving of the Torah?
A: This verse highlights a key moment in the revelation at Sinai. While Hashem initially wanted to give the Torah directly to all of Israel (Mechilta on Shemos 19:9), the people's fear led to Moshe becoming the conduit through which they received the commandments - establishing the role of Torah teachers for all generations.
Q: Does Deuteronomy 5:5 mean we shouldn't try to connect directly with Hashem?
A: Not at all. While this specific event required Moshe's mediation, our tradition teaches that every Jew can and should develop a personal relationship with Hashem through Torah study and mitzvos (Tanya, Chapter 17). The verse teaches us that spiritual growth often requires proper guidance from Torah scholars.