20. And He said, "You will not be able to see My face, for man shall not see Me and live." 21. And the Lord said: "Behold, there is a place with Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22. And it shall be that when My glory passes by, I will place you into the cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23. Then I will remove My hand, and you will see My back but My face shall not be seen."
Questions for Discussion
1.) Why do you think we can only see God's back?
2.) Does God's hand really press man's body into a physical rock? If not, what does that mean?
והסרותי את כפי: ואעדי ית דברת יקרי, כשאסלק הנהגת כבודי מנגד פניך ללכת משם ולהלן:
Then I will remove My hand: [Onkelos renders:] Then I will remove the guidance [i.e., My guidance] of My glory, when the guidance of My glory passes by from opposite your face, to go further from there [this means that even Moses would not be permitted to grasp the essence of God, only His attributes and His deeds (Nethinah LaGer)].
Rashi (11th C. French Commentator)
Questions for Discussion
1.) What question was Rashi trying to ask?
2.) Why is God's hand considered to be God's guidance?
3.) What is the difference between the essence of God and God's attributes and deeds?
"Turn! Turn! Turn!"
The Byrds
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late!
Questions for Discussion
1.) This song is taken from the Book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), which is traditionally read on the first morning of Sukkot. What is the message of the song?
2.) Why would we read this particular text on Sukkot?