Mishpatim 2023
Isaac’s Parsha Corner · 2023
A Worthy Mission
“Behold I am sending a “Malach” (angel?) before you to guard you and to bring you the place that I have prepared (the holy temple – Tanchuma).” (Ex 23:20)
The exact definition of “Malach” is a matter of dispute between the authors of various Midrashim and equally between the classic commentators on the Chumash.
“God said to the Jews, “Had you merited I myself would have led you forward. However, after you sinned (with the golden calf) I am appointing a substitute, (an angel) to lead you. Moshe objected arguing that Jews need a closer relationship with God. Moshe prevailed, God relented, and throughout Moshe’s lifetime God himself accompanied the Jews. However, in the time of Joshua, the angel appeared and announced “Now I have arrived.” (Josh 5:14) This angel was the “Malach” that was predicted in our Parsha. (Shmot Rabbah 32:3, also Rashi and Ramban Ex: ibid)
From the Midrash it seems that God did not personally oversee the conquering of the land of Israel. Instead, He appointed a guardian angel to be His representative. As such the Pasuk above was prophetic, “Behold” at some future time in history which turned out to be in the time of Joshua, “I” God, will assign you an Angel as My emissary. The next Pasuk affirms this interpretation:
“My “Malach” (angel or messenger) will bring you forward to conquer the Emory, the Hettie, the Prezi, the Cananni, the Hivi and the Yevusi, and he will destroy him (them).” (Ibid :23)
We are instructed to listen to this representative and not to rebel against him:
“Be on guard (keep the commandments) before him and do not rebel against him for he will not overlook your transgressions for My name is within him.” (Ex 23:21)
The Midrash explains that this particular angel had no authority to offer forgiveness. This angel operated exclusively within the rule of law. (Aka Midas Ha-din) This explains why Moshe was so adamant to uninvite this unforgiving angel to be God’s representative during his lifetime. Moshe understood that the nation was not ready to function under a strict implementation of Torah law. In Joshua’s day the nation had matured to the point where they could accept this new environment.
It is possible that the “Strict rule of law” only was applicable with regards to the laws that appear in the next few Pesukim: “Do not bow to their gods and do not serve them and do not act as they act. Rather you should most certainly destroy them (their idols) and break down their monuments. You shall worship instead your God.” (Ibid 24-25) The commandments in this Pasuk appear several times here and elsewhere in the Torah. The reason they are repeated here is to limit the strict rule of law to idol worship! We cannot function generally under a strict unforgiving rule of law.
“I will fill the number of your days” (ibid :26) How do I know that Moshe was born on the 7th of Adar for it says “I am one hundred twenty years old today.” Why does the Torah use the word “Today”? To teach us that God fulfills the days of the righteous from day to day and from month to month, as it says, “I will fill the number of your days”. (Kiddushin 38a) By keeping the “rule of law” at bay for 40 years, Moshe succeeded in bringing forth a nation worthy and capable of conquering the seven nations. They were worthy of being “brought to: “the place that I have prepared” the holy Temple. By accomplishing this objective Moshe filled and completed his days. May each and every one of us be similarly blessed. May our days be filled and our mission be completed as was Moshe’s.