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Exodus 33:19 - Divine mercy revealed selectively

Exodus 33:19 - שמות 33:19

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֲנִי אַעֲבִיר כָּל־טוּבִי עַל־פָּנֶיךָ וְקָרָאתִי בְשֵׁם יְהוָה לְפָנֶיךָ וְחַנֹּתִי אֶת־אֲשֶׁר אָחֹן וְרִחַמְתִּי אֶת־אֲשֶׁר אֲרַחֵם׃

English Translation

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

Transliteration

Va'yomer ani a'avir kol-tuvi al-panecha v'karati v'shem Adonai l'fanecha v'chanoti et-asher a'chon v'richamti et-asher a'rachem

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֲנִ֨י אַעֲבִ֤יר כׇּל־טוּבִי֙ עַל־פָּנֶ֔יךָ וְקָרָ֧אתִֽי בְשֵׁ֛ם יְהֹוָ֖ה לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וְחַנֹּתִי֙ אֶת־אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָחֹ֔ן וְרִחַמְתִּ֖י אֶת־אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲרַחֵֽם׃
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֲנִ֨י אַעֲבִ֤יר כׇּל־טוּבִי֙ עַל־פָּנֶ֔יךָ וְקָרָ֧אתִֽי בְשֵׁ֛ם יְהֹוָ֖ה לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וְחַנֹּתִי֙ אֶת־אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָחֹ֔ן וְרִחַמְתִּ֖י אֶת־אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲרַחֵֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 33:19) appears in the aftermath of the sin of the Golden Calf, when Moshe Rabbeinu pleads with Hashem to reveal His ways and grant forgiveness to Bnei Yisrael. Hashem responds by promising to reveal His attributes of mercy, emphasizing His sovereignty in granting grace and compassion.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that "I will make all My goodness pass before thee" refers to Hashem showing Moshe the "order of prayer" (סדר תפילה), meaning the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy (י"ג מידות של רחמים) later revealed in Shemot 34:6-7. This teaches that Hashem's "goodness" is His mercy and willingness to forgive.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (1:54), Rambam interprets "I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee" as Hashem granting Moshe a deeper understanding of Divine Providence (השגחה פרטית). The phrase "and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious" underscores that Divine mercy operates according to Hashem's wisdom, not human logic.

Talmudic and Midrashic Insights

  • Berachot 7a: The Talmud states that this verse teaches that even when a person is undeserving, Hashem may grant grace based on hidden merits or future repentance (זכות דורות או תשובה לעתיד).
  • Shemot Rabbah 45:6: The Midrash links this revelation to the concept of middah k'neged middah (measure for measure), noting that Moshe's request for Divine closeness (הַרְאֵנִי נָא אֶת כְּבֹדֶךָ) is answered with a revelation of mercy, as Moshe himself embodied compassion.

The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy

This verse serves as a prelude to the full revelation of the י"ג מידות in the next chapter. The Sages (Rosh Hashanah 17b) emphasize that these attributes are a "covenant" (ברית) that guarantees Hashem will respond to sincere repentance, as exemplified by Moshe's successful intercession for Bnei Yisrael.

Philosophical Implications

The concluding phrase ("and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy") highlights the inscrutable nature of Divine will. As the Ramban explains, human beings cannot demand mercy as an entitlement; it is always a gift from Hashem, granted in accordance with His perfect justice and wisdom.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 7a
The verse is discussed in the context of God's attributes of mercy and justice, particularly how God decides to show mercy to some and not others.
📖 Rosh Hashanah 17b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, highlighting God's selective mercy as a divine prerogative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean when G-d says 'I will make all my goodness pass before thee' in Exodus 33:19?
A: According to Rashi, this means that G-d showed Moshe (Moses) a vision of His divine attributes of mercy and kindness, which are referred to as 'all My goodness.' This was a special revelation to help Moshe understand G-d's ways, particularly after the sin of the golden calf.
Q: Why does G-d say 'I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious' in Exodus 33:19?
A: The Rambam explains that this teaches that G-d's mercy and grace are not bound by human logic or expectations. He grants kindness according to His divine wisdom, not based on human merit alone. This emphasizes that G-d's ways are beyond human comprehension.
Q: What is the significance of G-d proclaiming His name before Moshe in this verse?
A: The Midrash teaches that this was a unique moment where G-d revealed His Thirteen Attributes of Mercy (found later in Exodus 34:6-7). This was to reassure Moshe and the Jewish people of G-d's enduring compassion, especially after the sin of the golden calf.
Q: How does Exodus 33:19 relate to repentance and forgiveness?
A: The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 17b) connects this verse to the concept of teshuvah (repentance). It teaches that G-d's mercy is always available to those who sincerely return to Him, even when they may not seem 'deserving' by human standards. This verse underscores G-d's boundless compassion.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from Exodus 33:19 today?
A: The verse teaches us to trust in G-d's infinite mercy and to recognize that His ways of judgment are perfect. Just as Moshe sought to understand G-d's ways, we too should strive to emulate G-d's attributes of grace and compassion in our own lives, while accepting that some aspects of divine justice remain beyond human understanding.