Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Mishpatim Shishi: Hashem warns Bnei Yisrael to heed the commands of his angel (Friday, Mishpatim 26th Shevat)

Rashi Q&A — Shemot 23:20–25

23:20 — The Angel Leading Israel

Q1: What does “הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי שֹׁלֵחַ מַלְאָךְ” teach?

A: Hashem is telling Israel in advance that they will eventually sin, at which time He will say,
“I will not go up among you.”

Therefore, an angel will be sent instead of direct Divine presence.

Q2: What does “אֲשֶׁר הֲכִנֹתִי” mean?

A: Peshat: “To the place I have prepared”—the Land destined for Israel.

Midrash: The verse hints that the Heavenly Temple is aligned directly above the earthly Temple — “the place that I have prepared above.”

23:21 — Obeying the Angel

Q3: What does “אַל תַּמֵּר בּוֹ” mean?

A: “Do not rebel against him.” The root means rebellion, as in “whoever rebels against your command.”

Q4: Why can the angel “not overlook your sin”?

A:

• Angels do not sin and have no experience with error.
• An angel is only an emissary and cannot change the mission or forgive.

Q5: What does “כִּי שְׁמִי בְּקִרְבּוֹ” mean?

A: Hashem’s Name is associated with him. Chazal say this refers to Metatron, whose name shares the same gematria as “Shaddai.”

23:22 — Hashem Fights Israel’s Enemies

Q6: What does “וְצַרְתִּי” mean?

A: “I will persecute” — Onkelos translates וְאָעִיק, meaning to oppress or afflict your enemies.

23:23–24 — Destroying Idolatry

Q7: What does the angel do according to verse 23?

A: He leads Israel into the lands of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and Hashem then destroys them.

Q8: What is “הָרֵס תְּהָרְסֵם”?

A: You must shatter and destroy their idols entirely.

Q9: What are “מַצֵּבוֹתֵיהֶם” (their pillars)?

A: Stone pillars nations set up to bow to—idolatrous monuments that must be destroyed.

23:25 — Serving Hashem Brings Blessing

Q10: What does “וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֵת ה’ אֱלֹקֵיכֶם” require?

A: To serve Hashem exclusively (which includes prayer and mitzvos).

Q11: What blessings are promised for proper service?

A:

• “I will bless your bread and your water,” meaning prosperity in basic sustenance.
• “I will remove illness from your midst,” meaning good health as a reward for loyalty.