Daily Chumash & Rashi Parshas Ki Sisa Shelishi: Moshe pleads to Hashem and Hashem concedes (Tuesday, 14th Adar)

📘 Rashi Q&A — Shemot 33:12–16

33:12 — Moshe’ Claim

Q1. What does “רְאֵה” mean in this verse according to Rashi?

A: “Set Your eyes and heart upon Your words,” i.e., pay careful attention.

Q2. What complaint does Moshe raise before G-d?

A: G-d told him to take the people up, but did not tell him who would go with him.

Q3. Why is G-d’s statement about sending an angel insufficient for Moshe?

A: Moshe does not desire leadership by an angel.

Q4. What does “יְדַעְתִּיךָ בְשֵׁם” mean?

A: “I distinguished you by name,” i.e., G-d gave Moshe a mark of distinction.

Q5. Where did G-d previously promise this distinction?

A: When He said: “I will come to you in the thickness of the cloud…and they will believe also in you forever.”

33:13 — Request to Know G-d’s Ways

Q6. What does Moshe ask in “הוֹדִעֵנִי נָא אֶת־דְּרָכֶךָ”?

A: To know what reward G-d gives to those who find favor before Him.

Q7. What does “וְאֵדָעֲךָ” mean in Rashi’s explanation?

A: To understand the measure of G-d’s recompense.

Q8. How does this explain “לְמַעַן אֶמְצָא־חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ”?

A: Moshe seeks to learn how great the reward of finding favor is.

Q9. Why does Moshe add, “Consider that this nation is Your people”?

A: So G-d not abandon Israel and make Moshe into a new nation instead.

Q10. Why would abandoning Israel endanger Moshe’ descendants?

A: If G-d could reject His ancient people, Moshe could not trust the future of his own descendants.

33:14 — G-d’s Response

Q11. What does “פָּנַי יֵלֵכוּ” mean according to Rashi?

A: G-d’s Presence (Shechinah) will go with them.

Q12. How does Onkelos translate this phrase?

A: “My Presence will go.”

Q13. What change does this signify?

A: G-d will no longer send an angel, but will go Himself.

33:15 — Moshe’ Condition

Q14. What does Moshe say if G-d’s Presence does not go with them?

A: “Do not take us up from here.”

Q15. What does this reveal about Moshe’ desire?

A: He wants direct Divine guidance, not leadership by an angel.

33:16 — Proof of Divine Favor

Q16. How can Moshe and Israel be known as favored by G-d?

A: Only if G-d Himself goes with them.

Q17. What additional request does Moshe make in this verse?

A: That G-d not manifest His Presence among other nations.

Q18. What does “וְנִפְלִינוּ אֲנִי וְעַמֶּךָ” mean?

A: Moshe and Israel will be set apart and distinguished from all other nations.

Q19. How is “וְנִפְלִינוּ” used elsewhere with the same meaning?

A: As in “G-d will differentiate (וְהִפְלָה) between the livestock of Israel.”