Difference between revisions of "The Decalogue: Direct From Hashem or Via Moshe/2/en"
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<p>Hashem spoke to the people themselves; they, not Moshe, were his target audience.</p> | <p>Hashem spoke to the people themselves; they, not Moshe, were his target audience.</p> | ||
<mekorot> | <mekorot> | ||
− | <multilink><a href="Josephus3-5-4" data-aht="source">Josephus</a><a href="Josephus3-5-4" data-aht="source">Antiquities 3:5:4 (89-90)</a><a href="Josephus" data-aht="parshan">About Josephus</a></multilink>, Sages in <multilink><a href="SHSRabbah1-2" data-aht="source">Shir HaShirim Rabbah</a><a href="SHSRabbah1-2" data-aht="source">1:2</a><a href="Shir HaShirim Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Shir HaShirim Rabbah</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="TanchumaBuberYitro17" data-aht="source">Tanchuma (Buber)</a><a href="TanchumaBuberYitro17" data-aht="source">Yitro 17</a><a href="Tanchuma" data-aht="parshan">About Tanchuma (Buber)</a></multilink>, Sages in  <multilink><a href="PesiktaRabbati22" data-aht="source">Pesikta Rabbati</a><a href="PesiktaRabbati22" data-aht="source">22</a><a href="Pesikta Rabbati" data-aht="parshan">About Pesikta Rabbati</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashbamShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Rashbam</a><a href="RashbamShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:19</a><a href="RashbamShemot20-15" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:15</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="IbnEzraShemotLong20-1" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotLong20-1" data-aht="source">Shemot Long Commentary 20:1</a><a href="IbnEzraDevarim5-5" data-aht="source">Devarim 5:5</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RalbagShemot19-8" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagShemot19-8" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:8-9</a><a href="RalbagShemot20-15" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:15</a><a href="RalbagDevarim5-5" data-aht="source">Devarim 5:5</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelShemot20" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot19Q13" data-aht="source">Shemot 19-20, Questions 13-14</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot19-9" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:9</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:19</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot19-20-22" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:20-22</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:23</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot20" data-aht="source">Shemot 20</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="ShadalShemot20-1" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalShemot19-9" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:9</a><a href="ShadalShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:19</a><a href="ShadalShemot19-24" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:24</a><a href="ShadalShemot20-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:1</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink> | + | <multilink><a href="Josephus3-5-4" data-aht="source">Josephus</a><a href="Josephus3-5-4" data-aht="source">Antiquities 3:5:4 (89-90)</a><a href="Josephus" data-aht="parshan">About Josephus</a></multilink>, Sages in <multilink><a href="SHSRabbah1-2" data-aht="source">Shir HaShirim Rabbah</a><a href="SHSRabbah1-2" data-aht="source">1:2</a><a href="Shir HaShirim Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Shir HaShirim Rabbah</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="TanchumaBuberYitro17" data-aht="source">Tanchuma (Buber)</a><a href="TanchumaBuberYitro17" data-aht="source">Yitro 17</a><a href="Tanchuma" data-aht="parshan">About Tanchuma (Buber)</a></multilink>, Sages in  <multilink><a href="PesiktaRabbati22" data-aht="source">Pesikta Rabbati</a><a href="PesiktaRabbati22" data-aht="source">22</a><a href="Pesikta Rabbati" data-aht="parshan">About Pesikta Rabbati</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="Kuzari1-87" data-aht="source">Kuzari</a><a href="Kuzari1-87" data-aht="source">1:87</a><a href="R. Yehuda HaLevi" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yehuda HaLevi</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashbamShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Rashbam</a><a href="RashbamShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:19</a><a href="RashbamShemot20-15" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:15</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="IbnEzraShemotLong20-1" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotLong20-1" data-aht="source">Shemot Long Commentary 20:1</a><a href="IbnEzraDevarim5-5" data-aht="source">Devarim 5:5</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink>,  <multilink><a href="RalbagShemot19-8" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagShemot19-8" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:8-9</a><a href="RalbagShemot20-15" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:15</a><a href="RalbagDevarim5-5" data-aht="source">Devarim 5:5</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelShemot20" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot19Q13" data-aht="source">Shemot 19-20, Questions 13-14</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot19-9" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:9</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:19</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot19-20-22" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:20-22</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:23</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot20" data-aht="source">Shemot 20</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="ShadalShemot20-1" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalShemot19-9" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:9</a><a href="ShadalShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:19</a><a href="ShadalShemot19-24" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:24</a><a href="ShadalShemot20-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:1</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink> |
</mekorot> | </mekorot> | ||
<point><b>Moshe's role?</b> According to these sources, Moshe did not play any significant role during Revelation. He, like the rest of the nation, simply listened to Hashem.  According to Abarbanel and Shadal, even physically Moshe was positioned amongst the people and not set aside higher up on the mountain.<fn>Abarbanel is following the approach laid forth in <a href="ShemotRabbah28-3" data-aht="source">Shemot Rabbah</a>.</fn></point> | <point><b>Moshe's role?</b> According to these sources, Moshe did not play any significant role during Revelation. He, like the rest of the nation, simply listened to Hashem.  According to Abarbanel and Shadal, even physically Moshe was positioned amongst the people and not set aside higher up on the mountain.<fn>Abarbanel is following the approach laid forth in <a href="ShemotRabbah28-3" data-aht="source">Shemot Rabbah</a>.</fn></point> | ||
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<p>Hashem spoke to Moshe, who then relayed Hashem's words to the nation.  The people themselves did not hear any of Hashem's words, only His voice.</p> | <p>Hashem spoke to Moshe, who then relayed Hashem's words to the nation.  The people themselves did not hear any of Hashem's words, only His voice.</p> | ||
<mekorot> | <mekorot> | ||
− | Perhaps R. Akiva in <multilink><a href="MekhiltaBachodesh4" data-aht="source">Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael</a><a href="MekhiltaBachodesh4" data-aht="source">Bachodesh 4</a><a href="Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael" data-aht="parshan">About Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael</a></multilink>,<fn>This is how the Rambam appears to understand R. Akiva's words.  R. D"Z Hoffmann, though, thinks that  R. Akiva's words refer to the conversation between Moshe and Hashem prior to the Decalogue, and say nothing about the Decalogue itself.</fn> <multilink><a href="RambamMoreh2-33" data-aht="source">Rambam</a><a href="RambamMoreh2-32" data-aht="source">Moreh Nevukhim 2:32</a><a href="RambamMoreh2-33" data-aht="source">Moreh Nevukhim 2:33</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe Maimonides</a></multilink>,<fn>In Rambam's <a href="RambamHilchotYesodaiHaTorah8-1" data-aht="source">Hilchot Yesodai HaTorah,</a> he contradicts himself somewhat.  He presents the episode as one in which Hashem told Moshe what to say to the nation, but there assumes that that the nation did  | + | Perhaps R. Akiva in <multilink><a href="MekhiltaBachodesh4" data-aht="source">Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael</a><a href="MekhiltaBachodesh4" data-aht="source">Bachodesh 4</a><a href="Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael" data-aht="parshan">About Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael</a></multilink>,<fn>This is how the Rambam appears to understand R. Akiva's words.  R. D"Z Hoffmann, though, thinks that  R. Akiva's words refer to the conversation between Moshe and Hashem prior to the Decalogue, and say nothing about the Decalogue itself.</fn> <multilink><a href="RambamMoreh2-33" data-aht="source">Rambam</a><a href="RambamMoreh2-32" data-aht="source">Moreh Nevukhim 2:32</a><a href="RambamMoreh2-33" data-aht="source">Moreh Nevukhim 2:33</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe Maimonides</a></multilink>,<fn>In Rambam's <a href="RambamHilchotYesodaiHaTorah8-1" data-aht="source">Hilchot Yesodai HaTorah,</a> he contradicts himself somewhat.  He presents the episode as one in which Hashem told Moshe what to say to the nation, but there assumes that that the nation did first hear and even understand Hashem's words.  He writes that the people said,  ואנו שומעים משה משה לך אמור להן כך וכך.  In R. Yosef Albo's Sefer HaIkkarim, he presents Rambam's scenario slightly diffrently, having the people say, "לך אמר להם שובו לכם לאהליכם " .  If so, there is no contradiction.</fn> <multilink><a href="RAvrahamShemot20-1" data-aht="source">R. Avraham HeChasid</a><a href="RAvrahamShemot20-1" data-aht="source">cited by R. Avraham b. HaRambam Shemot 20:1</a><a href="R. Avraham HeChasid" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham HeChasid</a></multilink> |
</mekorot> | </mekorot> | ||
<point><b>Moshe's role</b> – Since the nation was not at a high enough prophetic level to understand Hashem, Moshe relayed Hashem's messages to them.</point> | <point><b>Moshe's role</b> – Since the nation was not at a high enough prophetic level to understand Hashem, Moshe relayed Hashem's messages to them.</point> | ||
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</category> | </category> | ||
<category name="Combination">Combination - Two versus Eight | <category name="Combination">Combination - Two versus Eight | ||
− | <p>The nation heard and understood only two commandments without any intermediary.  The other eight were delivered via Moshe.</p> | + | <p>The nation heard and understood only two commandments without any intermediary.  The other eight were delivered via Moshe. </p> |
<opinion name="">Heard only two | <opinion name="">Heard only two | ||
<p>The nation heard Hashem directly during the first two commandments, but then got scared and asked Moshe to tell them the rest.</p> | <p>The nation heard Hashem directly during the first two commandments, but then got scared and asked Moshe to tell them the rest.</p> | ||
<mekorot> | <mekorot> | ||
− | R. Hamnuna in <multilink><a href="BavliMakkot23b" data-aht="source">Bavli Makkot</a><a href="BavliMakkot23b" data-aht="source">Makkot 23b-24a</a><a href="Bavli" data-aht="parshan">About the Bavli</a></multilink>, R. Yishmael in <multilink><a href="BavliHorayot8a" data-aht="source">Bavli Horayot</a><a href="BavliHorayot8a" data-aht="source">Horayot 23b-24a</a><a href="Bavli" data-aht="parshan">About the Bavli</a></multilink>, R. Yehoshua in <multilink><a href="SHSRabbah1-2" data-aht="source">Shir HaShirim Rabbah</a><a href="SHSRabbah1-2" data-aht="source">1:2</a><a href="Shir HaShirim Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Shir HaShirim Rabbah</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="PsJShemot20-2" data-aht="source">Targum Pseudo-Jonathan</a><a href="PsJShemot20-2" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:2</a><a href="Targum Pseudo-Jonathan" data-aht="parshan">About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan</a></multilink>, R. Yehoshua b. Levi in <multilink><a href="PesiktaRabbati22" data-aht="source">Pesikta Rabbati</a><a href="PesiktaRabbati22" data-aht="source">22</a><a href="Pesikta Rabbati" data-aht="parshan">About Pesikta Rabbati</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashiShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Rashi</a><a href="RashiShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:19</a><a href="RashiShemot20-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:1</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RYBSShemot20-1" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Kara</a><a href="RYBSShemot20-1" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Bekhor Shor Shemot 20:1</a><a href="R. Yosef Kara" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Kara</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RYBSDevarim5-4" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a><a href="RYBSDevarim5-4" data-aht="source">Devarim 5:4-5</a><a href="R. Yosef Bekhor Shor" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a></multilink> | + | R. Hamnuna in <multilink><a href="BavliMakkot23b" data-aht="source">Bavli Makkot</a><a href="BavliMakkot23b" data-aht="source">Makkot 23b-24a</a><a href="Bavli" data-aht="parshan">About the Bavli</a></multilink>, R. Yishmael in <multilink><a href="BavliHorayot8a" data-aht="source">Bavli Horayot</a><a href="BavliHorayot8a" data-aht="source">Horayot 23b-24a</a><a href="Bavli" data-aht="parshan">About the Bavli</a></multilink>, R. Yehoshua in <multilink><a href="SHSRabbah1-2" data-aht="source">Shir HaShirim Rabbah</a><a href="SHSRabbah1-2" data-aht="source">1:2</a><a href="Shir HaShirim Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Shir HaShirim Rabbah</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="PsJShemot20-2" data-aht="source">Targum Pseudo-Jonathan</a><a href="PsJShemot20-2" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:2</a><a href="Targum Pseudo-Jonathan" data-aht="parshan">About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan</a></multilink>, R. Yehoshua b. Levi in <multilink><a href="PesiktaRabbati22" data-aht="source">Pesikta Rabbati</a><a href="PesiktaRabbati22" data-aht="source">22</a><a href="Pesikta Rabbati" data-aht="parshan">About Pesikta Rabbati</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashiShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Rashi</a><a href="RashiShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:19</a><a href="RashiShemot20-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:1</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RYBSShemot20-1" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Kara</a><a href="RYBSShemot20-1" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Bekhor Shor Shemot 20:1</a><a href="R. Yosef Kara" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Kara</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RYBSDevarim5-4" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a><a href="RYBSDevarim5-4" data-aht="source">Devarim 5:4-5</a><a href="R. Yosef Bekhor Shor" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a></multilink><fn>This is how he explains the encounter in his comments on Devarim 5.  In Shemot, thogh, he first suggests that the nation heard all ten commandments from Hashem and only afterwards brings the opinion that there was a split in the middle.</fn> |
</mekorot> | </mekorot> | ||
− | <point><b>"פָּנִים בְּפָנִים"</b> | + | <point><b>"פָּנִים בְּפָנִים"</b><ul> |
+ | <li>According to most of these sources, this phrase describes the first part of the encounter.  The first two commandments were given "face to face", directly from Hashem to Israel.</li> | ||
+ | <li>According to Ramban, though, the people did hear all ten commandments "face to face" but only comprehended the first two.</li> | ||
+ | </ul></point> | ||
<point><b>"אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם"</b> – This clause refers to the second part of the experience when Moshe served as an intermediary to deliver the final eight commandments.</point> | <point><b>"אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם"</b> – This clause refers to the second part of the experience when Moshe served as an intermediary to deliver the final eight commandments.</point> | ||
− | <point><b>The nation's fear – "דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה"</b> | + | <point><b>The nation's fear – "דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה"</b><ul> |
− | <point><b>Grammatical Alternations</b> – R. Yosef Kara adduces support for this approach from the fact that the Decalogue switches from first person to third person right after the second commandment when Moshe began to speak.</point> | + | <li>According to most of these sources this episode took place in the middle of the Decalogue, between the second and third commandments.<fn>In other words, there is overlap between this scene and the previous one describing the giving of the Decalogue.</fn>  It is written out of order so as not to interrupt the flow of the storyline and to keep the ten commandments in one continuous list.</li> |
+ | <li>Ramban, in contrast, asserts  that this took place before the Decalogue. even before Hashem began to speak they distanced themselves even further behind the boundary and asked that Moshe speak.  Moshe manged to calm them and they listened.  Ramban maintains that the similalr description in Devarim which speaks of the elders refers to a different episode, what took place after the Decalogue.  The people assumed that hashem was to give over te rest of teh commandments</li> | ||
+ | </ul></point> | ||
+ | <point><b>Grammatical Alternations</b> – R. Yosef Kara adduces support for this approach from the fact that the Decalogue switches from first person to third person right after the second commandment.  If this is when Moshe began to speak, the third person references to Hashem make sense.</point> | ||
<point><b>"מֹשֶׁה יְדַבֵּר וְהָאֱלֹהִים יַעֲנֶנּוּ בְקוֹל"</b> – Rashi explains that when Moshe relayed the eight commandments, Hashem strengthened his voice so that he could be heard.<fn>The phrase "יַעֲנֶנּוּ בְקוֹל"" does not mean that Hashem responded to Moshe but that he amplified the volume of his words.</fn></point> | <point><b>"מֹשֶׁה יְדַבֵּר וְהָאֱלֹהִים יַעֲנֶנּוּ בְקוֹל"</b> – Rashi explains that when Moshe relayed the eight commandments, Hashem strengthened his voice so that he could be heard.<fn>The phrase "יַעֲנֶנּוּ בְקוֹל"" does not mean that Hashem responded to Moshe but that he amplified the volume of his words.</fn></point> | ||
<point><b>"וַיְדַבֵּר אֱלֹהִים אֵת כָּל הַדְּבָרִים"</b> – Ibn Ezra argues against this position from the word "כָּל" which suggests that there was no differentiation between the commandments.  Rashi offers a somewhat forced explanation, that the verse comes to teach that originally Hashem said all ten commandments simultaneously and only afterwards distinguished each one.</point> | <point><b>"וַיְדַבֵּר אֱלֹהִים אֵת כָּל הַדְּבָרִים"</b> – Ibn Ezra argues against this position from the word "כָּל" which suggests that there was no differentiation between the commandments.  Rashi offers a somewhat forced explanation, that the verse comes to teach that originally Hashem said all ten commandments simultaneously and only afterwards distinguished each one.</point> | ||
− | <point><b>"וַיְדַבֵּר אֱלֹהִים... לֵאמֹר"</b> – This position might suggest that the audience of Hashem's words is | + | <point><b>"וַיְדַבֵּר אֱלֹהִים... לֵאמֹר"</b> – This position might suggest that the audience of Hashem's words is left ambiguous, because there were multiple audiences.  Hashem first spoke to the nation and then to Moshe.</point> |
<point><b>בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ</b></point> | <point><b>בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ</b></point> | ||
<point><b>Purpose of Sinaitic revelation</b></point> | <point><b>Purpose of Sinaitic revelation</b></point> | ||
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<point><b>אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם</b> – During the last eight commandments, Moshe served as an intermediary, explaining to the Israelites what they heard.</point> | <point><b>אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם</b> – During the last eight commandments, Moshe served as an intermediary, explaining to the Israelites what they heard.</point> | ||
<point><b>בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ</b></point> | <point><b>בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ</b></point> | ||
− | <point><b>דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה</b> | + | <point><b>דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה</b></point> |
<point><b>Difference Between Commandments</b> – Ramban explains that the first two commandments are necessary foundations, upon which all other commandments rest, and therefore were given directly by Hashem. The last eight were explained by Moshe in order to prove that he is the messenger of Hashem.</point> | <point><b>Difference Between Commandments</b> – Ramban explains that the first two commandments are necessary foundations, upon which all other commandments rest, and therefore were given directly by Hashem. The last eight were explained by Moshe in order to prove that he is the messenger of Hashem.</point> | ||
− | <point><b>Grammatical Alternations</b> | + | <point><b>Grammatical Alternations</b></point> |
<point><b>Purpose of Sinaitic revelation</b></point> | <point><b>Purpose of Sinaitic revelation</b></point> | ||
− | <point><b>Prophecy for the Masses</b> | + | <point><b>Prophecy for the Masses</b></point> |
</opinion> | </opinion> | ||
</category> | </category> |
Version as of 07:13, 21 May 2015
The Decalogue: Direct From Hashem or Via Moshe?
Exegetical Approaches
All From Hashem
The nation heard the entire Decalogue from Hashem. This position subdivides regarding whether Hashem was directing his words at the people or at Moshe.
Direct Communication
Hashem spoke to the people themselves; they, not Moshe, were his target audience.
- Spoke to all – According to Ibn Ezra, this verse does not insinuate that Hashem was to speak to Moshe alone, but only that when Hashem did speak to him (along with everyone else), his prophetic stature would be verified. The nation had doubted Moshe's prophecy, believing that if Hashem speaks to a person he cannot live afterwards. Thus, Hashem tells Moshe that when the nation sees Him speaking to Moshe during the giving of the Decalogue, they will finally recognize that this is not true.
- Change of plan - According to Ralbag and Abarbanel, originally, Hashem told Moshe that he would speak to him alone and the nation would overhear, leading them to believe in Moshe's prophecy. Moshe then clarified to Hashem that the nation preferred not to have a mediator but desired a direct face to face revelation. Hashem acquiesced and changed the original plan.4
- Before the Decalogue – Shadal asserts that this refers to the nation hearing Hashem's conversation with Moshe before the Decalogue.
- According to Ibn Ezra, Moshe is saying that the nation feared from the fire, despite the fact that they did not go up the mountain.
- This position could have instead said that the original plan (had the nation not been overcome by fear) was to ascend the mountain after the giving of the Decalogue and to hear the rest of the 613 commandments from perhaps an even closer vantage point and at a higher spiritual level.7
- Before the Decalogue – According to Ibn Ezra, Abarbanel and Shadal,8 this refers to the conversation between Moshe and Hashem before the giving of the Decalogue and, as such, provides no information regarding how Hashem delivered the commandments.9
- Before and during – Ralbag maintains that the verse refers to Hashem's words both before and during the Decalogue.10 Hashem conversed with Moshe prophetically, but simultaneously transmitted the message to the nation out loud (via a concrete voice rather than a mental prophecy).
- During the Decalogue – R. Eliezer suggests that that the verse is simply saying that before Hashem spoke to the nation, He waited for Moshe to tell Him that they were ready.
- This position highlights the goal of teaching the nation to believe in Hashem. As Moshe says in Sefer Devarim, after hearing Hashem directly, "אַתָּה הָרְאֵתָ לָדַעַת כִּי ה' הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים".12
- According to Shadal, there might have been a dual purpose of instilling belief in both Moshe and Hashem. By hearing Hashem speak to Moshe before the actual revelation they recognized his prophetic stature, and by hearing Hashem themselves during revelation, they came to belief in God.
Overheard
Hashem's speech was really directed at Moshe, but Hashem ensured that the nation overheard the conversation.
All Via Moshe
The nation understood none of Hashem's words, requiring Moshe to mediate between the people and Hashem throughout the entire Decalogue. As above, this approach subdivides regarding whether Hashem aimed his words at Moshe or at the people as a whole.
Spoke to Moshe
Hashem spoke to Moshe, who then relayed Hashem's words to the nation. The people themselves did not hear any of Hashem's words, only His voice.
Spoke to Nation
Hashem spoke to the entire nation but due to their distance, only Moshe could understand Hashem's words fully, leading him to act as a translator.
As above. R. D"Z Hoffmann supports the idea that the nation did not comprehend Hashem's words by the repeated emphasis on having heard His voice rather than His words. See Devarim 4:12, 4:33-36, and 5:19-22.26
Combination - Two versus Eight
The nation heard and understood only two commandments without any intermediary. The other eight were delivered via Moshe.
Heard only two
The nation heard Hashem directly during the first two commandments, but then got scared and asked Moshe to tell them the rest.
- According to most of these sources, this phrase describes the first part of the encounter. The first two commandments were given "face to face", directly from Hashem to Israel.
- According to Ramban, though, the people did hear all ten commandments "face to face" but only comprehended the first two.
- According to most of these sources this episode took place in the middle of the Decalogue, between the second and third commandments.29 It is written out of order so as not to interrupt the flow of the storyline and to keep the ten commandments in one continuous list.
- Ramban, in contrast, asserts that this took place before the Decalogue. even before Hashem began to speak they distanced themselves even further behind the boundary and asked that Moshe speak. Moshe manged to calm them and they listened. Ramban maintains that the similalr description in Devarim which speaks of the elders refers to a different episode, what took place after the Decalogue. The people assumed that hashem was to give over te rest of teh commandments
Heard Ten, Comprehended Two
Hashem gave all of the commandments directly to the nation, but they were able to comprehend only the first two, and Moshe had to transmit the contents of the last eight to them.