1)

What was the name of the angel that appeared to Moshe by the burning bush?

1.

Targum Yonasan: His name was Zagnugi'el - Moshe's Rebbe.

2.

Ramban (citing Midrash): It was Micha'el - the Mal'ach ha'Go'el. 1

3.

Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 23, p. 98): One opinion in the Midrash is that it was Micha'el - for it was followed by Giluy Shechinah (3:4), and Micha'el is 'first to the Shechinah.' Or, it was Gavri'el - who is appointed over Din, and this vision was with Midas ha'Din (see 3:1:1.2:2). 2


1

Refer to 20:3:4:4*.

2

We may explain that Gavri'el is associated with Din, and Micha'el is associated with Chesed, see Maharal (Netzach Yisrael Ch. 51, p. 195). On the one hand, Gavri'el is most related to the content of this prophecy. Yet on the other hand, Micha'el is 'first to the Shechinah;' and his trait is Chesed - the primary, essential Midah with which Hashem runs the world. Midas ha'Din is secondary; it is not the goal, rather its function is but to assist Chesed. (EK)

2)

Why did Hashem choose to appear to Moshe in a Seneh, a thorn-bush? What can we learn from this?

1.

Rashi: Because a bush is a symbol of lowliness, and Hashem was therefore demonstrating that He is with Yisrael in their suffering. 1

2.

Da'as Zekenim, Hadar Zekenim: Because it is impossible to make idols from a bush.

3.

Maharal #1 (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 23, p. 100): Any place is fit for the Shechinah to be revealed, even a thorn-bush. They grow everywhere; this teaches that Hashem's presence is not limited to specific or important places.

4.

Maharal #2 (ibid.): Because this entire vision was for Yisrael's sake, Hashem appeared to Moshe in a place that reflected Yisrael's current condition. 2

5.

Maharal #3 (ibid.): The thorn-bush is tough; like the difficult Midah currently in force upon Yisrael.

6.

Maharal #4 (ibid.): The thorn-bush is used as a hedge around a garden. On the one hand, it stands apart from the garden; yet it also completes it. This reflects Yisrael's function towards the nations.

7.

Maharal #5 (ibid. p. 101): The thorn-bush is tough; and it has both thorns and blossoms. So too is Yisrael a stubborn nation (Kesheh-Oref). There are big Resha'im, as well as big Tzadikim who stubbornly cling to their faith.

8.

Maharal #6 (ibid.): The thorns on the Seneh face inward. While a person can insert his hand without detecting them; when he tries to bring it out again he will feel them! The Bnei Yisrael were originally attached to the nations; just like a fruit is at first surrounded by a peel until it falls off. Our arrival in Egypt did not need open miracles, for we were still attached to them. Our departure - as we detached from the nations and became attached to Hashem - required open miracles recognized by all. 3

9.

Maharal #7 (ibid.): The Seneh has leaves in sets of five; we were redeemed in the merit of the three Avos, Moshe and Aharon. Exile is represented by the number 4 (e.g. four directions); and redemption, by the number 5 (the central point which unites them). 4

10.

Maharal #8 (ibid. p. 102): The word "ha'Seneh" has a Gematriya of 120, the same as the lifetime of Moshe. The Seneh grows in an arid, water-deprived climate; so too was Moshe drawn from the water (i.e. from all physicality 5 ).


1

Rashi: As it says in Tehilim, "Imo Anochi b'Tzarah!" (Tehilim 91:15).

2

This view in the Midrash differs from the one brought in Rashi. Rather than commiserating with their pain, the Seneh highlighted their lowly state.

3

Also refer to 2:10:2:3*; and to 1:1:2.7:2. Before Yisrael would be ready, they had to develop in Mitzrayim - just as an animal fetus develops inside of its mother.

4

Also see Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 6, p. 38 (regarding the war of the four and five kings - Refer to Bereishis 15:1:2.2:1and its note)); and Maharal (Netzach Yisrael Ch. 1, p. 10).

5

Refer to 2:10:1.4:1 (and the notes there), for more about the meaning of the name "Moshe," and the number 120.

3)

What was the significance of the fact that the bush was not consumed?

1.

Rashi (to 3:12): To show Moshe that just as the bush carried out Hashem's will and did not burn, so too, would Moshe carry out Hashem's will and no harm would befall him.

2.

Seforno: The bush symbolized the Egyptians. 1 This was a sign that, because they refused to submit to Hashem, they would suffer the ten Makos, one Makah after the other - and not succumb. 2


1

See also Ba'al ha'Turim.

2

As for why this would be so, refer to 3:7:3:1.

4)

Seeing as the Torah in Parshas Ki Sisa (33:11) describes Moshe Rabeinu's level of prophecy as "Panim El Panim," why did Hashem appear to him here via an angel?

1.

Seforno: The Torah there is speaking after Matan Torah, where it explains how the people went back to their wives, whereas Moshe remained with Hashem. 1 It is from that time on that he attained a higher level of prophecy than all other prophets. Until then, he, like all other prophets, was unable "to look at Hashem." 2

2.

Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 23, p. 98): Hashem was in fact about to reveal His Shechinah to Moshe directly (3:4). This vision (of the burning bush, appearing via an angel) was but a preparatory stage, to cause Moshe to turn towards the mountain. As such, it was not fitting that it be done by Hashem directly.


1

Seforno: See Devarim 5:27-28.

2

Seforno: See 3:6, and refer to 3:5:1:1.

5)

Why did Hashem choose to appear to Moshe in fire?

1.

Hadar Zekenim #1: It was so Moshe would not fear the fire on the day of Matan Torah.

2.

Hadar Zekenim #2: It was a sign that Yisrael are like fire, and the Nochrim like thorns. Yisrael will not consume them (in this world), nor will the latter extinguish Yisrael's fire, i.e. Torah.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

6)

Rashi writes: "'From inside the thorn-bush' - due to [the verse], 'I am with him in [his] trouble' (Tehilim 91:15)." Can such a thing be said about Hashem?

1.

Gur Aryeh: We cannot ascribe pain to Hashem! Rather the idea is that Hashem is bound up to Yisrael always; when Yisrael is in pain, Hashem's sovereignty is not complete. 1


1

Also see Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 23, p. 98) at length.

7)

Rashi writes: "'From inside the thorn-bush (Seneh)' - ... due to [the idea expressed in the verse], 'I am with him in [his] trouble' (Tehilim 91:15)." Doesn't this perspective diminish the glory of Hashem?

1.

Gur Aryeh: It only reflects how Hashem's sovereignty is perceived in this world, i.e. where Yisrael are. But His actual glory is (and always remains) "Blessed is the glory of Hashem from His place!" (Yechezkel 3:12). 1

2.

Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 23, p. 99): The creations are not capable to handle Hashem's actual glory; rather, each one understands according to its ability. When His glory is complete in terms of those receiving it, He is said to be happy; whereas the opposite case is described as sadness and crying. 2


1

It seems that Gur Aryeh chose this Pasuk, for Chazal expound from here that Hashem is the location of the world; and the world is not His location. Maharal (Ner Mitzvah, p. 25) - The world is incapable of receiving the full glory of Hashem. (EK) The Mefarshim on that Pasuk in Yechezkel present a similar idea. Although Hashem was gradually removing His Shechinah from the Beis Hamikdash, as a prelude to the Galus, that does not mean that His glory would be diminished! Only Yisrael would lose out, as the Shechinah would be removed from among them. (CS)

2

Also see Maharal (Be'er ha'Golah, Be'er #4, p. 68). Also refer to Bereishis 6:6:1.4:1* and Bereishis 6:6:1.5:1.

8)

Rashi writes: "'From inside the thorn-bush (Seneh)' - ... due to [the idea expressed in the verse], 'I am with him in [his] trouble' (Tehilim 91:15)." The Seneh is mentioned again in V'Zos Ha'Berachah, "u'Retzon Shocheni Seneh" (Devarim 33:16). What is the "favor" or "good-will" inherent in the Seneh?

1.

Gur Aryeh (to Devarim 33:16): Hashem showed us that He is with us in our times of trouble; is there any greater favor than that?

9)

Rashi writes: "'[Einenu] Ukal' (it was not being consumed) - ... like [the verbs] 'Ubad' (Devarim 21:3), or 'Lukach' (Bereishis 3:23)." What is Rashi's comparison?

1.

Gur Aryeh: The verb "Ukal" is in Pu'al form (passive intensive), just like the two examples Rashi brings. 1 However, while those two are in past tense, "Ukal" must be in the present. (Had it been in past tense, it would say 'Lo Ukal.' The word "Einenu" only fits in present tense.)


1

Sefer ha'Zikaron: Rashi only means that "Ukal' is a verb, not an adjective. Also see Rav Hartman's notes on Gur Aryeh (Mechon Yerushalayim edition).

10)

Rashi writes: "'Labas Esh' - i.e. the Shalheves (flame), the Lev (heart) of the fire." What is Rashi explaining?

1.

Gur Aryeh: The 'heart of the fire' means its main part; i.e., the flame.

11)

Rashi writes: "'Labas Esh' - ... the heart of the fire." What can we learn from the expression "heart" in this context?

1.

Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 23, p. 98): Chazal derive that the fire appeared in the upper third of the Seneh; parallel to the heart's location in the body. The fraction one-third represents sanctity; it is a minority that is selected from among the majority. 1


1

Compare to Maharal (Chidushei Agados Vol. 3, beg. Bava Kama) regarding the concept of beautifying a Mitzvah for up to one third additional value.

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