Days of Cordoning

AI Info Icon
Some of the text on this page has been AI generated.  Learn More
Feedback
Stories
Notable Sources
All Sources
A
Preparing for Revelation
TANAKH
God's direct command to Moses to prepare the Israelites for a divine revelation underscores the importance of purity and boundaries. The book of Exodus describes the Israelites' preparation for receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, including the strict prohibition against touching the mountain.
and יהוה said to Moses, “Go to the people and warn them to stay pure today and tomorrow. Let them wash their clothes. Let them be ready for the third day; for on the third day יהוה will come down, in the sight of all the people, on Mount Sinai. You shall set bounds for the people round about, saying, ‘Beware of going up the mountain or touching the border of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death
Exodus 19:10-12
Divine Validation of Moses' Decision
TALMUD
Moses' decision to extend the days of separation before the revelation at Sinai was validated by the Divine Presence. The Talmudic tractate Yevamot discusses Moses' interpretation of the command to sanctify 'today and tomorrow,' leading to an additional day of separation before the revelation at Sinai.
When Moses added one day to the days of separation before the revelation at Sinai based on his own perception, what did he interpret that led him to do so? He reasoned that since it is written: “And sanctify them today and tomorrow” (Exodus 19:10), the juxtaposition of the words “today” and “tomorrow” teaches that today is like tomorrow: Just as tomorrow the men and women will separate for that day and the night preceding it, so too, today requires separation for the day and the night preceding it…
Yevamot 62a:5
Extending the Days of Purity
COMMENTARY
The period for ritual immersion was extended to accommodate the presence of many foreigners among the Israelites. The 13th-century Torah commentary Chizkuni explains the halachic principle that any portion of a day is considered as if it had been a full day.
ויקדש את העם, “he sanctified the people.” The three days of sanctification commence on this day and concluded on the morning of the third day, although technically they could have immersed themselves in a ritual bath already after nightfall of the previous day, seeing that there were so many foreigners (ערב רב see Ex 12.38) among the people, Moses extended the period for ritual immersion until the morning of the third day, thus giving them additional time. [“days” here are parts of days, according to the halachic principle of מקצת היו ככולו…
Chizkuni, Exodus 19:14:2
Sanctity in the Wilderness
MIDRASH
The Israelites' sanctity in the wilderness was marked by their avoidance of sexual intercourse, a key aspect of their sanctification process. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, an eighth or ninth-century midrashic work, elaborates on biblical narratives and provides additional insights into Jewish thought and tradition.
Rabbi Joshua ben Ḳorchah said: The feet of Moses stood on the mount, and all (his body) was in the midst of the heaven, like a tent which is spread out, and the children of men stand inside it, but their feet stand on the earth, and all of them are inside the tent; so was it with Moses, his feet stood on the mountain, and all his (body) was in the heavens, beholding and seeing everything that is in the heavens. The Holy One, blessed be He, was speaking with him like a man who || is conversing with his companion, as it is said, "And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face" (Ex. 33:11)…
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 41:8
Divine Mercy at Sinai
KABBALAH
The Zohar reveals that God chose to manifest Himself with mercy rather than might at Mount Sinai, ensuring the Israelites could endure and accept His laws. The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, explores the divine revelation at Mount Sinai.
R. Simeon said that when the Holy One came to reveal Himself on Mount Sinai, He called together His whole celestial Family and said to them: “At present the Israelites are like children, they will not know how to deport themselves in My Presence. If I should reveal Myself to them in the attribute of Power (Geburah) they will not be able to bear it, but when I manifest Myself to them in love (Rahamim) they will accept My Law.” Therefore the manifestation on Mount Sinai took place on the third day, which is the Day of love (Rahamim).
Zohar, Yitro 17:286
The Timing of Commands at Sinai
COMMENTARY
The timing and sequence of Moshe's commands regarding separation and boundaries before the revelation at Sinai are debated among commentators. Shabbetai ben Joseph Bass, in his supercommentary on Rashi, delves into the specific timing of these commands, highlighting the unresolved debate.
The command to separate [from their wives] and the setting up of boundaries. [Rashi knows this] because it says afterwards (v. 4), “He arose early in the morning, and built an altar beneath the mountain,” and that must have been on the 5th day, as Rashi explained earlier in Parshas Yisro. Therefore, what he told the people was one day earlier, on the 4th day, as Rashi explained above that the mitzvah of separation was told to them on the 4th day. The Re’m was puzzled by this, for in Gemara Shabbos (86a) it is clear that according to all opinions…
Siftei Chakhamim, Exodus 24:3:1
Sanctification Before Sinai
HALAKHAH
Before receiving the Torah, the Israelites underwent a process of sanctification, including immersion and sacrifices. In his famed 12th-century code of Jewish law, Mishneh Torah, Maimonides details the preparations for the Giving of the Torah, emphasizing the role of ritual purity and communal offerings.
Immersion was performed in the desert before the Giving of the Torah, as [Exodus 19:10] states: "Sanctify them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their garments." Sacrifices [were also offered then], as [ibid. 24:5] states: "And he sent out the youth of the children of Israel and they brought burnt offerings." They offered them as agents of the entire Jewish people.
Mishneh Torah, Forbidden Intercourse 13:3
Sanctification for a Divine Encounter
CHASIDUT
The entire Jewish people sanctified themselves through abstinence, guided by Moshe, to prepare for a divine encounter. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, a prominent Hasidic master, emphasizes the role of holiness and abstinence in drawing closer to God.
Therefore, when the Torah was given, the entire Jewish people merited holiness and abstinence, as it is written (Exodus 19:15), “Ready yourselves for three days. Do not go near a woman.” They all sanctified themselves by means of abstinence, through Moshe, who was holy and exceedingly abstinent. He drew the Torah to them through this, and so holiness and abstinence, too, were drawn over them.
Likutei Moharan, Part II 72:8:7
Preparing for a Divine Encounter
SECOND TEMPLE
The Hebrews' physical and emotional preparations for a significant divine encounter are meticulously detailed, offering a unique glimpse into their spiritual and communal life. Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, provides an account of these preparations in his comprehensive historical work.
How Moses Ascended Up To Mount Sinai, And Received Laws From God, And Delivered Them To The Hebrews.
1. Now Moses called the multitude together, and told them that he was going from them unto mount Sinai to converse with God; to receive from him, and to bring back with him, a certain oracle; but he enjoined them to pitch their tents near the mountain, and prefer the habitation that was nearest to God, before one more remote. When he had said this, he ascended up to Mount Sinai, which is the highest of all the mountains that are in that country (9) and is not only very difficult to…
The Antiquities of the Jews 3:5:1
The Fifth Day Preparations
MIDRASH
Moses' actions on the fifth day, including building an altar and setting up twelve monuments, are pivotal in the preparation for a significant event in Jewish history. The Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, an ancient midrash from the land of Israel on the book of Exodus, provides detailed insights into these preparatory actions.
(Exodus 19:10) "And the L–rd said to Moses: Go to the people and make them ready today" — the fourth day — "and tomorrow" — the fifth day. (Ibid. 11) "And have them be ready for the third day": the sixth (of Sivan) when the Torah was given. And what did Moses do on the fifth day? He rose early in the morning and built an altar, viz. (Ibid. 24:4) "and he rose early in the morning and he built an altar at the foot of the mountain." He set up twelve monuments for the twelve tribes of Israel. These are the words of R. Yehudah.
Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 3:1
The Boundaries at Sinai
COMMENTARY
The command to fence in the people around Mount Sinai underscores the importance of boundaries in approaching the divine. Sforno, a 16th-century Italian rabbi and biblical commentator, provides insights on the physical boundary set at Mount Sinai to prevent the people from approaching the mountain.
יסובבנהו, to Mount Sinai, as mentioned in Exodus 19,12 when G’d had said to me: והגבלת את העם סביב, “and you will fence in the people around the Mountain.”
Sforno on Deuteronomy 32:10:2

Storiesסיפורים

More

Sheetsדפי מקורות

Related Sheets
We use cookies to give you the best experience possible on our site. Click OK to continue using Sefaria. Learn More.OKאנחנו משתמשים ב"עוגיות" כדי לתת למשתמשים את חוויית השימוש הטובה ביותר.קראו עוד בנושאלחצו כאן לאישור