Daily Chumash Wednesday, 22nd Teves: The burning bush

Revi’i

The burning bush:

• Moshe was grazing the sheep of Yisro his father in-law and he guided the sheep far into the desert. He arrived to the mountain of Hashem [i.e. Mount Sinai], towards Horeb. An angel of Hashem appeared to him within the bush and Moshe saw that the bush was burning but was not getting consumed. Moshe said, “Let me turn to the bush to see this great phenomenon. Why is the bush not getting burnt?”
• Hashem asks Moshe to redeem the Jewish people: Hashem saw that Moshe turned around to see the bush and He called to him from within the bush saying “Moshe, Moshe.” “Here I am,” replied Moshe. Hashem replied “Do not come any closer. Remove your shoes from your feet, as this ground that you are standing on is Holy. I am the G-d of your forefathers; Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov.” Moshe hid his face as he feared to gaze towards G-d. Hashem told Moshe “I have seen the suffering of my people and I have heard their scream and know their pain. I will descend to save them from the hands of the Egyptians and bring them out from Egypt to the good and spacious land which flows with milk and honey. I will bring them to the land of the Cananite, Hiti, Emori, Perizi, Chivi and Yevusi nations. Now, I will send you to Pharaoh to take my nation out of Egypt.”

The ensuing conversation of Hashem and Moshe:

• Moshe replied to Hashem “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and take the Jewish people out of Egypt.” Hashem responded by saying “I will be with you, and this is the sign [i.e. reason] that I have sent you, as when the nation leaves Egypt they will then serve G-d on this mountain.”
• Hashem’s name: Moshe requested Hashem for his name, just in case he is question by the Jewish people as to who sent him. Hashem replied “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh, and so you shall tell the Jewish people that Eheyeh sent you to them. Also tell them that the G-d of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov sent you to them.” This is my name forever and my remembrance for all generations.