“It is Time to Act for the Lord”
reexamination in light of new circumstances.
God and God acknowledges that Moses is not only correct but that he has taught God something. Fisch sees this as a classic example of the antitraditionalist attitude. It is especially important as a warrant for
Progressive halakhah because, as in the case of the“Oven of Aknai,
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human interpretation trumps divine will and as a result becomes divine
will.
Another exposition of the text,“Then Israel sang”(Num. 21:17). This is one of the three things said by Moses to the Holy One, blessed be He, to which the latter replied:“You have taught Me something.”
(1) He said to Him(when interceding for Israel on the occasion of the making of the golden calf).“Sovereign of the Universe ! How can Israel realize what they have done? Were they not reared up in Egypt ? And are not all the Egyptians worshipers of idols? Moreover, when You gave the Torah You did not give it to them! They were not even standing near by: as it says, And the people stood afar off(Ex. 20:18)! You gave it only to me; as it says, And unto Moses He said: Come up unto the Lord(Ex. 24:1). When You gave the commandments You did not give it to them! You did not say,‘I am the Lord your God, ’ but‘I am the Lord your God ’®(Ex. 20:1). You did say it to me! Have I sinned?” By your life,” said the Holy One, blessed be He, to him,' you have spoken well! You have taught Me something! From now onward I shall use the expression,"I am the Lord your God ."
(2)' The second occasion was when the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him,“Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children”(Ibid. 5). Moses said to him:“Sovereign of the Universe ! Many are the wicked who have begotten righteous men. Shall the latter bear some of the iniquities of their fathers? Terah worshiped images, yet Abraham his son was a righteous man . Similarly, Hezekiah was a righteous man , though Ahaz his father was wicked. So also Josiah was righteous, yet Amon his father was wicked. Is this proper, that the righteous should be punished for the iniquity of their fathers?” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him:“You have taught Me something! By your life, I shall cancel My words and confirm yours;” as it says,“The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers”(Deut. 24:16).“And by your life, I shall record these words in your name;” as it says, According to that which is written in the book of the law of Moses , as the Lord commanded, saying: The fathers shall not, etc.(2 Kings 14:6).
(3) The third occasion was when the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: