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Exodus 24:12 - Divine ascent for Torah revelation

Exodus 24:12 - שמות 24:12

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה עֲלֵה אֵלַי הָהָרָה וֶהְיֵה־שָׁם וְאֶתְּנָה לְךָ אֶת־לֻחֹת הָאֶבֶן וְהַתּוֹרָה וְהַמִּצְוָה אֲשֶׁר כָּתַבְתִּי לְהוֹרֹתָם׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to Moshe, Come up to me to the mountain, and be there: and I will give thee the tablets of stone, and the Tora, and the commandments which I have written; that thou mayst teach them.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Moshe alei elai ha'harah ve'heyeh-sham ve'etnah lecha et-luchot ha'even ve'ha'Torah ve'ha'mitzvah asher katavti lehorotam.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה עֲלֵ֥ה אֵלַ֛י הָהָ֖רָה וֶהְיֵה־שָׁ֑ם וְאֶתְּנָ֨ה לְךָ֜ אֶת־לֻחֹ֣ת הָאֶ֗בֶן וְהַתּוֹרָה֙ וְהַמִּצְוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּתַ֖בְתִּי לְהוֹרֹתָֽם׃
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה עֲלֵ֥ה אֵלַ֛י הָהָ֖רָה וֶהְיֵה־שָׁ֑ם וְאֶתְּנָ֨ה לְךָ֜ אֶת־לֻחֹ֣ת הָאֶ֗בֶן וְהַתּוֹרָה֙ וְהַמִּצְוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּתַ֖בְתִּי לְהוֹרֹתָֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Command to Ascend Har Sinai

The verse (Shemot 24:12) describes Hashem instructing Moshe to ascend Har Sinai to receive the Luchot (tablets), the Torah, and the mitzvot. Rashi explains that the phrase "עֲלֵה אֵלַי הָהָרָה" ("Come up to me to the mountain") emphasizes the unique spiritual elevation required for Moshe to receive the Torah directly from Hashem. The Seforno adds that this ascent was not merely physical but also represented Moshe's preparation to absorb the divine wisdom.

The Three Components Given to Moshe

Hashem promises to give Moshe three things:

  • Luchot HaEven (Tablets of Stone): The physical tablets inscribed with the Aseret HaDibrot (Ten Commandments). Ramban notes that these tablets were a tangible symbol of the covenant between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael.
  • HaTorah (The Torah): The Oral Torah, as explained by the Talmud (Gittin 60b), which includes the detailed explanations and interpretations of the Written Torah. The Rambam in Mishneh Torah emphasizes that both the Written and Oral Torah were given at Har Sinai.
  • HaMitzvah (The Commandments): The specific mitzvot that Moshe would teach Bnei Yisrael. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 47:1) teaches that "HaMitzvah" refers to the mitzvah of Talmud Torah (the obligation to study Torah), which is the foundation for all other mitzvot.

The Purpose: "לְהוֹרֹתָם" (To Teach Them)

The verse concludes with the purpose of Moshe receiving these gifts: "לְהוֹרֹתָם" ("that you may teach them"). The Mechilta explains that Moshe's role was not only to receive the Torah but to transmit it faithfully to Bnei Yisrael. The Kli Yakar highlights that this underscores the responsibility of Torah leaders to ensure proper transmission of Torah knowledge to future generations.

Spiritual Preparation for Receiving the Torah

The instruction "וֶהְיֵה־שָׁם" ("and be there") is interpreted by Chassidic commentators (e.g., the Sfat Emet) as a call for Moshe—and by extension, all who study Torah—to be fully present in mind and spirit when engaging with divine wisdom. This teaches that Torah study requires complete focus and devotion.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Shabbat 88a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, emphasizing the divine origin of the Torah and commandments.
📖 Yoma 4b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the significance of Moses ascending the mountain to receive the Torah and commandments directly from God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 24:12 mean?
A: Exodus 24:12 describes Hashem commanding Moshe to ascend Mount Sinai to receive the Luchot HaEven (Tablets of Stone), the Torah, and the mitzvot (commandments). According to Rashi, this verse marks the beginning of Moshe's 40-day stay on the mountain where he would receive the entire Torah to teach to Bnei Yisrael.
Q: Why is this verse important?
A: This verse is significant because it establishes Moshe as the transmitter of the Torah from Hashem to the Jewish people. The Rambam explains in his introduction to Mishneh Torah that this moment is the foundation of our mesorah (tradition) - the unbroken chain of Torah transmission from Sinai until today.
Q: What are the 'tablets of stone' mentioned in this verse?
A: The 'Luchot HaEven' (tablets of stone) refer to the two tablets containing the Aseret HaDibrot (Ten Commandments) that Hashem would give Moshe. The Talmud (Bava Batra 14a) teaches that the tablets were made of sapphire and were inscribed by Hashem Himself.
Q: What can we learn from Hashem telling Moshe 'and be there'?
A: The phrase 'vehyeh sham' (and be there) teaches that to properly receive Torah, one must be fully present both physically and mentally. The Seforno explains that Moshe needed complete focus and detachment from worldly matters to attain the lofty spiritual level required to receive the Torah.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: Just as Moshe ascended to receive Torah to teach it to others, we learn that Torah study isn't complete unless it leads to teaching and sharing with others. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 22:1) compares Torah to fire - just as fire doesn't diminish when shared, so too we must transmit Torah to future generations.