The Decalogue: Direct From Hashem or Via Moshe/2/en

The Decalogue: Direct From Hashem or Via Moshe?

Exegetical Approaches

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All From Hashem

Hashem relayed the entire Decalogue to the nation directly, and Moshe was uninvolved in the transmission.

Sources: JosephusAntiquities 3:5:4 (89-90)About Josephus, Rabbanan in Shir HaShirim Rabbah1:2About Shir HaShirim Rabbah, Tanchuma (Buber)Yitro 17About Tanchuma (Buber), Rabbanan in  Pesikta Rabbati22About Pesikta Rabbati, RashbamShemot 19:19Shemot 20:15About R. Shemuel b. Meir, Ibn EzraShemot Long Commentary 20:1Devarim 5:5About R. Avraham ibn Ezra,  RalbagShemot 19:8-9Shemot 20:15Devarim 5:5About R. Levi b. Gershom, AbarbanelShemot 19-20, Questions 13-14Shemot 19Shemot 20About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel

פָּנִים בְּפָנִים – This approach understands "פָּנִים בְּפָנִים" literally, that in a singular occurrence Hashem spoke to the entire nation directly.

אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם – Ibn Ezra explains these words to be referring to after the Decalogue.

בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ

דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה – Rabanan bring proof from this verse that only after the whole Decalogue was given, the Israelites asked Moshe to serve as an intermediary.

Grammatical Alternations – Ibn Ezra explains that after Hashem became accepted to the nation as their god in the first two commandments, He could refer to Himself as the Israelites' God in third person. In addition, he notes that in other verses, such as Shemot 23:18-19, Hashem alternates between speaking of Himself in first and third persons.

Purpose of Sinaitic revelation

Prophecy for the Masses – This approach must assume that Hashem is capable of making any one prophesy.

All Via Moshe

The nation understood none of Hashem's words, requiring Moshe to mediate between them and Hashem throughout the entire Decalogue.

Sources: Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelBachodesh 4About Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, RambamMoreh Nevukhim 2:32Moreh Nevukhim 2:33About R. Moshe Maimonides, R. Avraham HeChasidcited by R. Avraham b. HaRambam Shemot 20:1About R. Avraham HeChasid

פָּנִים בְּפָנִים – The words "פָּנִים בְּפָנִים" may refer to the sound the nation saw directly (even though they did not understand it).

אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם – This verse can be understood simply by these commentators.

בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ – According to the Rambam, the nation heard a sound, but only Moshe heard Hashem's words. He proves this from Devarim 4:12, where we are told "קוֹל דְּבָרִים אַתֶּם שֹׁמְעִים", which implies they only heard a sound ("קוֹל"), but not the words themselves.

דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה – Even the plain sound was enough to scare the people, who wanted that in the future Moshe would hear Hashem's commands privately, without a terrible noise.

Grammatical Alternations – The Rambam ignores the grammatical differences between the commandments, presumably attributing them to literary variation.

Purpose of Sinaitic revelation

Prophecy for the Masses – According to the Rambam, indiscriminate prophecy is impossible, and therefore the only one who heard the full Decalogue directly from Hashem was Moshe. However, the Rambam agrees that other people, such as Aharon and his sons, could hear something, depending on their spiritual level.

Combination

The Israelites Heard the First Two Commandments From Hashem, and the Last Eight From Moshe

The nation heard Hashem directly during the first two commandments, but then got scared and asked Moshe to tell them the rest.

Sources: R. Hamnuna in Bavli MakkotMakkot 23b-24aAbout the Bavli, R. Yishmael in Bavli HorayotHorayot 23b-24aAbout the Bavli, R. Yehoshua in Shir HaShirim Rabbah1:2About Shir HaShirim Rabbah, Targum Pseudo-JonathanShemot 20:2About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, R. Yehoshua b. Levi in Pesikta Rabbati22About Pesikta Rabbati, RashiShemot 19:19Shemot 20:1About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, R. Yosef KaraR. Yosef Bekhor Shor Shemot 20:1About R. Yosef Kara, R. Yosef Bekhor ShorDevarim 5:4-5About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor

פָּנִים בְּפָנִים – The first two commandments were given "face to face", directly from Hashem to Israel.

אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם – During the last eight commandments, Moshe served as an intermediary.

בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ

דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה – This approach understands this to have happened in the middle of the Decalogue, between the second and third commandments.

Grammatical Alternations – R. Yosef Kara adduces support for this approach from the fact that the Decalogue switches from first person to third person when referring to Hashem.

Purpose of Sinaitic revelation

Prophecy for the Masses – These commentators assume that Hashem may allow the uninitiated to prophesy.

The Israelites Heard all of the Commandments From Hashem, but Only Understood the First Two

Hashem gave all of the commandments directly to the nation, but were able to comprehend only the first two, and Moshe had to transmit the contents of the last eight to them.

Sources: RambanShemot 20:6Shemot 20:14Devarim 5:5About R. Moshe Nachmanides

פָּנִים בְּפָנִים – All of the commandments were given "face to face", although the Israelites did not understand all of them.

אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם – During the last eight commandments, Moshe served as an intermediary, explaining to the Israelites what they heard.

בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ

דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה – This approach understands this to have happened in the middle of the Decalogue, between the second and third commandments.

Difference Between Commandments – 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.

Grammatical Alternations – R. Yosef Kara adduces support for this approach from the fact that the Decalogue switches from first person to third person when referring to Hashem.

Purpose of Sinaitic revelation

Prophecy for the Masses – These commentators assume that Hashem may allow the uninitiated to prophesy.

The Israelites Overheard all of the Decalogue From Hashem

Hashem spoke only to Moshe, but the nation listened in on the conversation.

Sources: R. MaimonR. Avraham b. HaRambam Shemot 20:1About R. Maimon

פָּנִים בְּפָנִים – The nation heard the Decalogue directly from Hashem.

אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם – While the nation heard Hashem directly, Hashem was only talking to Moshe, who can be considered as standing between them.

בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ – According to R. Maimon, Hashem spoke to Moshe, but the nation overheard what He said to him.

דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה

Grammatical Alternations – R. Maimon would presumably understand the grammatical fluctuation as legitimate literary variation.

Purpose of Sinaitic revelation

Prophecy for the Masses – These commentators assume that Hashem may allow the uninitiated to prophesy.

The Israelites Heard the Commandments Once From Hashem and Once From Moshe

Hashem spoke only to Moshe while the Israelites listened on, and Moshe then repeated the entire Decalogue to the nation.

Sources: R. Saadia GaonCommentary Shemot 19:9-21, 20:1About R. Saadia Gaon

פָּנִים בְּפָנִים – All of the commandments were given "face to face".

אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם – Moshe served as an intermediary, repeating every commandment as it was said.

בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ – Hashem spoke to Moshe, while the nation overheard, and then Moshe repeated the Decalogue to the nation.

דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה

Grammatical Alternations

Purpose of Sinaitic revelation

Prophecy for the Masses – These commentators assume that Hashem may allow the uninitiated to prophesy.