Daily Chumash & Rashi Parshas Ki Sisa – Revi’i: Hashem shows Moshe His glory (Wednesday, 15th Adar)

📘 Rashi Q&A — Shemot 33:17–23

33:17 — Acceptance of Moshe’ Request

Q1. What does “גַּם אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה” refer to?

A: G-d agrees also to Moshe’ request that His Presence not rest among the nations of the world.

Q2. How did non‑Jewish prophets receive prophecy according to Rashi?

A: Not through the Divine Presence resting upon them, but indirectly, through intermediaries.

Q3. How does Rashi explain Balaam’s prophecy in this context?

A: Balaam’s prophecy came as “lying down with open eyes,” i.e., without the Shechinah.

33:18 — Moshe’ New Request

Q4. Why does Moshe ask, “Show me Your glory”?

A: He saw that it was an auspicious moment when his requests were being accepted.

33:19 — G-d’s Response: The Attributes of Mercy

Q5. What does “אֲנִי אַעֲבִיר כָּל־טוּבִי” mean according to Rashi?

A: G-d will allow Moshe to perceive His glory to the extent He permits.

Q6. What lesson was G-d teaching Moshe by this revelation?

A: The set order of prayer using the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy.

Q7. Why was this necessary according to Rashi?

A: Moshe thought that once the merit of the Patriarchs was exhausted, Israel would have no hope.

Q8. What does “וְקָרָאתִי בְשֵׁם ה’ לְפָנֶיךָ” mean?

A: G-d would proclaim the Divine Name, teaching Moshe how to invoke mercy.

Q9. How does Rashi describe G-d during this teaching?

A: G-d appeared wrapped in a prayer shawl (talit), proclaiming the attributes.

Q10. What assurance does G-d give about these attributes?

A: Divine mercy is never exhausted, and invoking the attributes will bring a response.

Q11. How does Rashi explain “וְחַנֹּתִי… וְרִחַמְתִּי”?

A: At this stage, G-d says He will sometimes show favor and sometimes not.

Q12. What later promise did G-d make regarding these attributes?

A: G-d later made a covenant that their invocation would never go unanswered.

33:20 — Limits of Human Perception

Q13. What does “לֹא תוּכַל לִרְאוֹת אֶת־פָּנָי” mean?

A: Even during this revelation, Moshe could not see G-d’s “face.”

Q14. Why can no human see G-d’s face?

A: Because no person can see G-d and remain alive.

33:21 — “A Place With Me”

Q15. What is the straightforward meaning of “הִנֵּה מָקוֹם אִתִּי”?

A: G-d prepared a specific place on the mountain to protect Moshe.

Q16. What is the Midrashic explanation of this phrase?

A: G-d is the place of the universe, but the universe is not His place.

33:22 — Protection in the Rock

Q17. What does “בְּנִקְרַת הַצּוּר” mean?

A: A crevice dug out of the rock.

Q18. What does “וְשַׂכֹּתִי כַפִּי” mean according to Rashi?

A: G-d would protect Moshe, as destructive forces were permitted at that time.

Q19. How does Onkelos translate this phrase?

A: “I will protect you with My word,” a respectful euphemism.

33:23 — Seeing G-d’s “Back”

Q20. What does “וַהֲסִרֹתִי אֶת־כַּפִּי” mean in Onkelos’ translation?

A: G-d would move the course of His glory past Moshe.

Q21. What does “וְרָאִיתָ אֶת־אֲחֹרָי” mean?

A: G-d showed Moshe the knot of His head‑tefillin, a manifestation of His glory.

Q22. What does “וּפָנַי לֹא יֵרָאוּ” emphasize?

A: G-d’s essence remains concealed, even from Moshe.