Petirat Moshe

1 "And this is the blessing wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death." Rabbi Samuel 2 bar Nahamani said, When Moses came to bless Israel with "this 3 is the blessing." "This" refers to the Torah in which is written, "this is the blessing." "Wherewith 4 Moses the man of God blessed," "Man of God" this refers to Moses. "Man of God" this refers also to 5 The Holy One Blessed Be He about whom it is written, "The Lord is a man of war, the Lord is his name." And why so much? To establish 6 what is said, "A threefold cord is not easily broken." Rabbi 7 Tanhuma said, "Man of God" if he is called "man" why is he also called "God"? But when he fled from before 8 Pharaoh he was called "man," and when he went up to heaven he was called "God." And why did Moses merit 9 that The Holy One Blessed Be He should occupy himself personally with him with Moses’ burial? At the time when he descended into Egypt, and the time of Israel’s redemption arrived 10 all of them Israelites were busy with silver and gold. And Moses went about 11 the city and he occupied himself three days and three nights to find Joseph’s coffin. 12 Because they the Israelites were not able to leave Egypt without the bones of Joseph on account of the prohibition of the oath. 13 For he Joseph adjured the children of Israel. As it is written, "And Joseph took an oath 14 of the children of Israel saying ‘God will surely remember you and ye shall carry up my bones from hence’". He Moses met Sarah the daughter of Asher, and she saw him tired and weary. 15 He said to her, "I have gone around the city three days and three nights. 16 to find Joseph’s coffin and I did not find it." She said to him, "Come with me." 17 And he went with her to the Nile River. She said, "In this place they put Joseph’s coffin, 18 and it was made of lead, and it was five cubits long and they sealed it all over. Thus 19 the magicians said to Pharaoh, ‘Is it your wish that this people shall not leave 20 here? If they do not take along the bones of Joseph with them, they will not leave on account of 21 the prohibition of the oath.’" Immediately Moses stood on the bank of the Jordan and said, "Joseph, 22 Joseph, you know that the hour has arrived when The Holy One Blessed Be He is about to redeem his children, and you adjured 23 the children of Israel. And now give glory to the God of Israel and do not delay 24 their redemption. You have deeds to your credit. Petition your Creator, and come up from the deep." Immediately 25 Joseph’s coffin began to shake and it came up from the depths like a reed. Moses took it from there. 26 And he put it on his shoulder and all Israel was bearing behind him, silver and gold 27 which they took with them from Egypt. And Moses was bearing Joseph’s coffin. 28 The Holy One Blessed Be He said to Moses, "You did a small thing! The kindness which you did is great 29 to Me. Because you did not pay attention to the silver and to the gold, I also because of this at the time 30 when you depart from this world, I in My glory will do the same kindness with you, 31 and I will occupy myself with you. And when Moses’ day to depart from this world arrived, 32 The Holy One Blessed Be He said, "Behold thy days approach that you shall die." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, after 33 all this toiling which I have toiled, You said that I must die. ‘I will not die but live and I will declare 34 the works of the Lord’ to all future generations." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to Moses, "’Let it suffice thee.’ ‘Thus far shalt thou come 35 but no further and here shall thy proud waves be stayed.’ ‘Call Joshua.’" And he said before Him, "Master of the Universe, 36 Why must I die? If it is for the honor of Joshua, let Joshua assume 37 power and I will resign." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to Moses, "Go to him 38 as he used to do to you." Immediately Moses arose early and he went after Joshua. 39 And he said to him, "My Teacher, Joshua." Immediately Joshua was afraid. Joshua said to him, 40 "And are you calling me, My Teacher?" He said to him, "Joshua, do you wish that I may live?" He said to him, 41 "Yes." He said to him, "Is it not better for you if I remain with you for if you forget one Halachah, 42 you may ask it of me. Accept upon yourself that I will do to you as you 43 are doing to me. And as you used to walk on my left, I too shall walk 44 on your left." Joshua said to him, "Everything which you decree concerning me I accept, 45 in order that I may continue to see your face, O Moses My Teacher." He Moses began to do all the honor 46 which he was accustomed to do to him. When he Joshua entered the Tent of Meeting, what is written? 47 "And the Lord appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud." The cloud descended and it stood between 48 Moses and Joshua. Joshua was inside and Moses was outside. At that time 49 Moses cried out and he saw his death and he did not see the delight of resurrection. He began asking 50 for death. He said before The Holy One Blessed Be He, "What sin is there in my hand that I must die?" 51 The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Behold, because of the cup of the first man about whom it is written, ‘Behold the man is become 52 as one of us to know good and evil...’ Therefore, you must die." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, Was it in vain that 53 my feet tread upon the clouds and was it in vain that I ran before Your children like a horse in the wilderness?" The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, 54 "I have already decreed death upon Adam." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, you commanded Adam 55 only one easy commandment and he transgressed it. But I did not transgress any of your commandments 56 The Holy One Blessed Be He said, "Behold Abraham who sanctified my name in the world and he died." He said, 57 before Him, "Master of the Universe, Behold that Ishmael issued from him and those who anger you are from his offspring." 58 The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Behold, Isaac his son who stretched out his neck on 59 the altar was also Abraham’s issue." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, Esau The Wicked One issued from him whose 60 seed will destroy your house and exile your children," The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, 61 "Surely, Jacob out of whom came the twelve tribes and they did not anger Me was also descended from Abraham." 62 He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, He Abraham did not go up to heaven, and his feet did not tread on the clouds and You did not 63 speak with him face to face and he did not receive the Torah from Your hand." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to Him, 64 "’Let it suffice thee, speak no more unto Me of this matter.’" He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, 65 Perhaps they will say that had He God not found evil deeds in Moses, He would not have made him go out from 66 the world." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "I have already written, ‘And there hath not arisen a prophet since 67 in Israel like unto Moses’" He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, Perhaps they shall say that in my youth 68 I did your bidding but in my old age I did not do your bidding." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, 69 "’Because you sanctified me not’" He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, Let me enter the land 70 and I shall be there two or three years and after that I shall die." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, 71 "It is a decree from Me that you may not enter the land." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, 72 If I may not enter the land during my lifetime, let me enter after my death." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "you may not 73 enter the land neither during your lifetime nor after your death." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, 74 Why all this anger against me?" The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "’Because ye sanctified Me not.’" 75 He said before Him, "Master of the Universe it is written, ‘Lo all these things doth God work twice, 76 yea thrice with a man.’ You deal with your creatures with the quality of mercy two 77 or three times as for me, even one sin you do not forgive!" The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, 78 "Behold, you have committed six sins and I have only revealed one of them to you. First, 79 you said, ‘Oh, Lord send I pray Thee, by the hand of him whom Thou wilt send.’ Second, ‘For since I came to Pharaoh to speak 80 in Thy name he has dealt ill with this people.’ Third, ‘Then the Lord hath not sent me.’ Fourth, 81 ‘If the Lord make a new thing.’ Fifth, ‘Hear me now ye rebels.’ Sixth, ‘Behold ye are arisen 82 in your fathers’ stead a brood of sinful men...’" "Were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Israel’s fathers sinners 83 that You said before them their children such a thing?" He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, I learned from you 84 that you said, ‘Even the fire pans of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives.’" The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, 85 "I attributed it to them and not to ‘their fathers’." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, Many times 86 Israel sinned before You and I prayed before You on their behalf and You forgave them. 87 Concerning six hundred thousand You have regard but for me You do not have regard." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, 88 "A decree against a congregation is not to be compared to a decree against an individual. And furthermore, until now 89 the hour of your death was delivered in your power and now you have lost control over your fate." He Moses began to speak 90 before Him prayers and entreaties. And Solomon said about him Moses, "The poor useth entreaties." 91 One told a parable. To what may this be compared? To a sage who was the teacher 92 of the king’s son. And all the members of the royal household and not only the members of the royal household 93 but also all the people were afraid of him. And they used to do for him his every wish, 94 since he was the teacher of the King’s son. After a little while the king’s son died, 95 immediately the lad’s teacher lost all the benefits which received from the members of the royal household and he began to beg from door to door. 96 When he had been the teacher of the king’s son everything was within his authority. When he died 97 he lost everything. He could only go from door to door begging. Thus it was with Moses our Teacher. 98 All the time that he was in full authority everything was within his authority both heavenly creatures and terrestrial creatures. As it is written, 99 "Thou hast ascended on high. Thou hast led captivity captive. Thou hast received gifts among men." And he split the sea with his hand, 100 and he brought up the well of water from the rock and furthermore, he said to Him, "Arise 101 O Lord" and He arose and he said "Return O Lord" and He returned. And furthermore, he said to Him, "If thy presence go not up with me 102 carry us not up hence... And the Lord said unto Moses I will do this thing also." Come and see that all the time that he was in full control of his powers he was prepared 103 for everything. And when his time arrived to die, he resorted to make entreaties. And 104 that is what Scripture wrote, "The poor useth entreaties." And it is written, "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose 105 under the heavens." There was a time for Moses to descend into Egypt and to take redemption 106 and also to redeem Israel. As it is written, "Moreover the man Moses was very great 107 in the land of Egypt." And there was a time for him to make entreaties. As it is said, "I entreated 108 the Lord at that time saying, ‘O Lord God Thou hast begun.’" 109 Why does Moses mention these two names? It teaches that Moses said, "Since with two names 110 The Holy One Blessed Be He created his world and man that is with mercy and with justice." 111 As it is said, "And the Lord God formed man" From which verse do we know that these two names are 112 mercy and justice? As it is said, "The Lord, the Lord merciful and gracious." Behold here is mercy. 113 And from which verse is justice derived? As it is written, "Thou shalt not revile God." Behold here is justice. And with them mercy and justice 114 The Holy One Blessed Be He began to deal with his creatures. Therefore, he Moses said, "’Lord God Thou hast begun 115 to show me thy greatness’ at the bush." And he said before Him, "Master of the Universe, And now 116 in my old age, I seek mercy for your people, the flock of your pasture, that You pardon 117 and forgive them. ‘Your servant.’ Please I entreat you. Do not be like a human king. 118 When he has a servant and he is young and strong, he loves him. But when 119 he grows old, he hates him and he casts him off, but You, O Lord 120 ‘Cast me not off in the time of old age and when my strength faileth forsake me not.’" "Thy greatness" refers to the ten 121 commandments. "And thy strong arm" refers to the ten plagues which The Holy One Blessed Be He brought upon 122 the Egyptians in Egypt. "For what God is there in heaven or on earth" means You 123 everything and in your hand is the power to kill and to bring to life. "Who can do according to thy works and according to thy mighty acts" 124 refers to the world to come. And why did Moses complain so much? Because The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "And die in the mount." 125 Moses said before The Holy One Blessed Be He, "It is better that I live and not die for 126 if ‘I will live then I will declare the works of the Lord’ to all future generations. Because if your children 127 want to sin, I will not let them. And I will say to them that there is no other God in heaven 128 nor on earth but You. Furthermore, I will make known the majesty and glory of Your Name 129 to future generations and I will say to them that through me you split the sea, and through me 130 You gave the Torah to Israel, and through me You made manna to rain down from heaven for them 131 forty years, and You brought up for them a well of water and I brought out water for them from 132 the rock. And now if it is pleasing in your sight, ‘I shall not die but live and declare 133 the works of the Lord’ to all future generations." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "I am not listening to you because 134 if I give you life, and the result will be that the whole world will be mislead and they would make a god of you, 135 and worship you." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, Already You put me to the test at the incident of the calf and I 136 am he who destroyed the calf. And now why shall I die?" The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, 137 "Whose son are you?" He said before Him, "The son of Amram." "And whose son is he?" He said to Him, 138 "The son of Izhar." "And Izhar, whose son is he?" He said to Him, "The son of Kohath." "And Kohath, whose son is he?" He said 139 to Him, "The son of Levi" "And all of them from whom did they descend?" He said to Him, "From Adam." "And did I not say 140 to Adam, ‘for dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return,’" Moses said before The Holy One Blessed Be He, 141 "Master of the Universe, the First Man stole and ate of what you did not want him to eat and you punished 142 him with death. And did I steal anything from before You? And already have you not testified and said, 143 ‘My servant Moses is not so, he is trusted in all my house.’" The Holy One Blessed Be He said to Moses, 144 "Are you more righteous than Adam and his generation?" He said before Him, Yes "Master of the Universe, Behold, 145 You punished Adam and his generation with death because of the snake which led him and his wife Eve astray. 146 But I revived the dead with the snake. As it is said, ‘Moses made 147 a serpent of brass and he set it on a pole; and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten when he seeth it shall live.’" The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Are you greater than Noah and his generation?" 148 He said before Him, Yes "Master of the Universe, Behold, You decreed death upon him and upon his generation because 149 Noah did not seek mercy from You on their behalf, but I when Israel sinned with the deed of 150 the calf, I sought mercy from You and I said, ‘Yet, now if thou wilt forgive their sin if not blot me I, pray thee, 151 out of Thy book which thou hast written.’" The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Are you greater than Abraham 152 who was tested with ten tests?" He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, In Abraham there was found a defilement, 153 Ishamael issued from him." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Are you greater 154 than Isaac who was bound on the altar?" He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, Surely 155 from Isaac’s loins issued Esau The Wicked One." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Did I tell you to kill 156 the Egyptian?" He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, Give me permission and I will speak to you." 157 The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Speak." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, You killed all the first born of Egypt. 158 And I must die because of One Egyptian?" The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Why compare yourself 159 to Me? I can kill and I restore to life. Are you able to revive the dead like Me? And do you not 160 remember how many times I honored you? You said to me, ‘Arise O Lord’ and I arose. 161 And you said to Me, ‘Return O Lord’ and I returned. Also for your sake I changed the nature of heaven and the earth, for the nature of 162 heaven is to bring down dew and rain and the nature of the earth is to bring forth bread. And you said 163 to Me, ‘I do not want it this way but let the heaven bring down bread and the earth bring forth water.’ 164 And thus I did. As it is said, ‘Behold I will cause to rain down bread from heaven for you.’ 165 And it says, ‘Spring up O well, Sing ye unto it.’ I wanted to do even more when I sought you 166 to give to you life. And you said to me, ‘I only want that I should die.’ Also You said to me, 167 ‘But if the Lord make a new thing and the ground open her mouth and swallow them up... then Ye shall understand that these men have despised the Lord.’ And I fulfilled 168 your words and I did your bidding. As it is said, ‘And the earth opened her mouth 169 and swallowed them up.’ Also I said, ‘He that sacrificeth unto the gods save unto the Lord only shall be utterly destroyed.’ 170 And when Israel sinned with the deed of the calf I sought to condemn them and to destroy them, 171 to fulfill my words. And you said to me, ‘Pardon, I pray thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of your loving kindness.’ 172 And so I did. And I said to you, ‘I have pardoned according to your words.’ And moreover, the Torah 173 which is called by My name, as it is said, ‘The Torah of the Lord is perfect,’ I called it by your name, 174 as it is said, ‘Remember ye the Torah of Moses my servant.’ Israel who is also called by my name, 175 as it is said, ‘For unto Me the children of Israel are servants, they are My servants.’ I called them by your name, 176 as it is said, ‘Then his people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses.’ And moreover I spoke 177 with you with utterance אמירה and with speech דיבור as it is said, ‘And the Lord said to Moses saying, and the Lord spoke 178 to Moses saying.’ And you also spoke with me with utterance and with speech 179 As it is said, ‘And Moses said to the Lord and Moses spoke to the Lord.’ Also before Me 180 there is neither eating nor drinking and I made you similar to me. As it is said, ‘And he was there with 181 the Lord forty days and forty nights he did neither eat bread nor drink water.’ 182 And I am Elohim and you are Elohim. ‘See I have set thee for Elohim to Pharaoh.’ 183 And I have prophets and I gave you a prophet. As it is said, ‘And Aaron your brother 184 shall be thy prophet.’ And as for me no creature is able to look directly at Me. And thus it is written, ‘And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face sent forth beams: 185 And they were afraid to come nigh to him.’ I said, ‘Thou shalt see my back, but My face thou shalt not see.’ 186 And concerning you it is written, ‘And they looked after Moses.’ With the twenty-two letters of the alphabet I honored 187 the Torah and with all of them I honored you. I sent you to Pharaoh. And you brought 188 Israel out of Egypt. I commanded you concerning the Sabbath and circumcision. I gave you 189 the Ten Commandments. I covered you with a cloud. I gave you two tablets of stone, 190 and you broke them beneath the mountain. And I made you unique in the world and I caused you to inherit 191 my Torah and I honored you more than the seventy elders." Moses in turn acknowledged all of it. And He said 192 before Him, "Master of the Universe, You have acted kindly toward me many times. They are too numerous to recount. And all the inhabitants 193 of the world know that You, O Lord God, are alone in the world, and there is none beside You and there is none 194 similar to You. You created the celestial creatures and the terrestrial creatures. You are the first And You are the last. 195 And everything comes from you. And who tell Your mighty acts." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, Only 196 one thing I request from before You that I may cross the Jordan. The Holy One Blessed Be He said 197 to Moses, "I swore two oaths: that you shalt not enter the land and the other 198 that I would not bring an end to Israel. If you want that I will break both of them then 199 I will let you live and I will bring an end to Israel." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, In deceit 200 You came to me. You are holding the rope at both ends. Let Moses perish and a thousand 201 like him. And do not let one Israelite perish." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, What 202 will men say when they see that the feet that tread on the firmament and the hands that received the Torah and the mouth with 203 which The Holy One Blessed Be He spoke mouth to mouth did not find repentance before The Holy One Blessed Be He? 204 An ordinary man how much the more so, cannot find repentance" Rabbi Johanan said, ten times death 205 is written about him. And they are "Behold thy days come that Thou shalt die." "And he died in the mount" "For I 206 know after my death." "And Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died." 207 "And Moses the servant of the Lord died there according to the word of the Lord." Ten times the Holy One Blessed Be He decreed death upon Moses, 208 so that he could not enter the land. And still the decree was not sealed until the Supreme Court revealed it to him. 209 And it said to him that "Thou shalt not go over this Jordan." This thing 210 was taken lightly by Moses and he did not take it to heart because he said, "How many 211 times did Israel commit grievous sins" And yet when I prayed for them 212 it my prayer was accepted from me and immediately the decree was nullified. I who have not sinned from my youth 213 when I pray before You for myself, Will He not want to accept it from me?" When 214 The Holy One Blessed Be He saw that he took it lightly, and he did not begin to pray, immediately The Holy One Blessed Be He jumped up, 215 and He sealed the decree against him. And he swore by his great name that he would not enter the land. 216 As it is said, "Therefore, ye shall not bring this assembly into the land." When he saw that 217 the great decree had been sealed against him, What 218 did Moses do? At that time he proclaimed fasts for himself, and he stood in prayer before The Holy One Blessed Be He. And he said, 219 "I will not move from here until the decree is nullified." What did Moses do? He wore sack cloth 220 and rolled in the dust and stood in prayer before the Holy One Blessed Be He 221 five hundred fifteen times until heaven and earth and all creation trembled. 222 And they said, "Perhaps The Holy One Blessed Be He intends to create his world anew." 223 A Heavenly Voice came out and said to them, "The time has only come" ‘for in whose hand is the soul of every living thing and the spirit 224 of every man,’" "Man" refers to Moses. As it is said, "Now the man Moses was very meek." 225 At that time what did the Holy One Blessed Be He do? He proclaimed in every heaven and in every 226 Supreme Celestial Court that they should not bring up Moses’ prayer and they should not accept 227 his prayer because I have sealed against him a decree. The angel in charge 228 of proclamation is called Akhraziel. The Holy One Blessed Be He called in haste to all of the Heavenly Host, 229 and He said to them, "Descend and lock every gate so that Moses’ prayer will not ascend." 230 At that time heaven and earth and all the foundations of the earth and the creatures of creation trembled 231 because of Moses’ prayer, which was like to a sword which tears 232 and cuts and it was not delayed because Moses’ prayer was like the Ineffable Name 233 which he learned from Zangael his teacher. Concerning that time Ezekiel said, "I heard 234 behind me the voice of great rushing." This refers to Moses about whom it is written, "Moreover, the man Moses was very great 235 in the land of Egypt." At the time when the Wheels and the Heavenly Seraphim saw 236 that He did not accept Moses’ prayer and He did not show him favor and He did not give him life, 237 immediately all of them opened their mouths and said, "’Blessed be the glory of the Lord from His place’ for there is not before Him 238 wrongdoing nor forgetting nor favoritism whether for the small or the great." 239 And from which verse do we know that Moses made five hundred fifteen supplications. It is according to the numerical equivalent of "ואתחנן." He said before Him, 240 "Master of the Universe, Many times I troubled myself for Israel until they became 241 a treasured people and an inheritance for Your name. I saw them in their travail and shall I not see them in their prosperity? 242 Behold you make your Torah a fraud for thus is written in the Torah, ‘In the same day thou shalt give 243 him his hire.’ And now where are my wages for the forty years that I toiled 244 for Israel Your children and I suffered for them in Egypt, at the sea, and in the wilderness and with the Torah 245 and with the commandments which I established for them. , And I saw them in their misfortune and now when the time of their good fortune has arrived 246 You decreed against me that ‘thou shalt not go over this Jordan?’" He said before Him, "Master 247 of the Universe; For forty years until now I did not have the leisure to teach and study 248 in an academy." Immediately The Holy One Blessed Be He began to appease him. The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Many things are prepared 249 for you in the next world for you will take part in all the delicacies of the Garden of Eden. As it is said, ‘That I cause 250 those that love me to inherit substance and that I may fill their treasuries.’" The verse refers to the righteous who preserve the Torah 251 in love." Rabbi Samuel said, This verse refers to the three hundred ten worlds 252 of the righteous of the world to come that The Holy One Blessed Be He will give to every righteous one. 253 The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Your days have ceased but your light has not ceased for you will not 254 need anything of the world, neither the light of the sun, nor the light of the moon and stars, neither 255 eating nor drinking and neither raiment nor garment, neither oil for your head nor 256 sandals for your feet for I, with My glory will provide light for you, and from My glory I will give you your clothes 257 and from My honor I will give you your raiment and from My splendor I will make your face shine and from My sweetness I will satisfy your throat 258 and from among the chariots of my equipage I will give you your chariots and from My sceptre upon which is engraved 259 the Ineffable Name, with which I created the world at first, I gave 260 you a prototype of it in this world. My sceptre is one of the eight thousand seven 261 hundred sixty myriads from the sign of the next world." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, 262 "In this world I made many signs and wonders, and through you I brought out 263 the children of Israel from Egypt and I split the sea and I caused it to rain down for them manna, 264 and I changed bitter water to sweet water and I gave the Torah to Israel and commandments equal to the number 265 of the limbs which are in man and equal to the number of the days of the year and from the wars of Gog and Magog 266 I was victorious through you. It is enough for you Moses. ‘Let it suffice thee.’" "The day for Joshua to lead Israel has come. 267 And I will write by means of Solomon your student, 268 "The sun also riseth and the sun goeth down." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, If I may not 269 lead Israel, let my son lead instead of me or the children of Aaron my brother, and let them fill 270 my place." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to Moses, "He Joshua shall cause them to inherit the land." 271 When Moses saw that it had been decreed by the Holy One Blessed Be He, "Moses went and spoke" to them. 272 From the twenty-second of Tishri until the first of Sh’bat is ninety-five days. 273 During this period The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him ten times that he must die and Moses waited 274 by himself until the first of Sh’bat. Then Moses went and called all Israel and he explained 275 the Torah in the presence of six hundred thousand and in seventy languages. As it is said, Moses "explained clearly" 276 the Torah to Israel. As it is said, "It came to pass in the fortieth year in the eleventh month 277 on the first of the month that Moses spoke unto the children of Israel, according to all that the Lord had given him in commandment unto them." From the first of Sh’bat until the seventh of Adar is thirty-six days. 278 During those days he explained the Torah to Israel and on the seventh of Adar he died. 279 Moses knew that day he would die because a Heavenly Voice came out and said, "Take care of yourself 280 for you have only one day left to live in this world." Rabbi Helbo said, 281 On the day that Moses died, he wrote thirteen rules for expounding the Torah. Moses sent books to the tribes. And still 282 it had not reached noon. And afterwards he called every tribe and he gave them each the Torah 283 and the commandments. The best of all the Torahs he sent it and placed it 284 in the ark. And he warned and reproved each person individually, men and women 285 separately. And he said to them, "Be careful with the honor of the Torah and the commandments." And he put it 286 by the side of the ark. As it is said, "Take this book of the law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant." And there are those who say 287 Gabriel descended and he took the Torah from Moses’ hand and brought it up 288 to the Supreme Heavenly Court to inform them of Moses’ righteousness in every heaven. 289 As it is said, "He executed the righteousness of the Lord and his ordinances with Israel." 290 And moreover the souls of the righteous read in it on Mondays and Thursdays and on Festivals. 291 Rabbi Josiah said, At that time Moses honored Joshua greatly 292 and he glorified him greatly in the presence of the people. And the herald went out from him to every camp 293 of Israel saying, "Come and hear the words of the new prophet who arises over us today." 294 Every Israelite came up in Joshua’s honor and afterwards Moses commanded them to bring the golden throne 295 and the pearl crown, and the royal turban and the purple robe. 296 And Moses stood and ordered the rows and the benches of the Sanhedrin and of the officers 297 of the army and of the priests. And afterwards Moses went to Joshua and he dressed him and he put 298 the crown on him and he seated him on the golden throne and had a Turgeman stand near him to expound 299 in the presence of all Israel. And who was the Turgeman? Caleb ben Jephuneh, And Joshua expounded in the presence of 300 all Israel and in the presence of Moses his teacher. And what was the Midrash which Joshua preached? "Awaken 301 Rejoice O Heaven, and O heaven of Heavens, ye above! Awaken, foundations of the earth, ye below! 302 Awaken and extol ye orders of creation! Awaken and sing, ye mountains everlasting. Awaken and praise 303 O hills of the earth! Awaken and burst forth, ye Hosts of Heaven! Sing and declare, all ye tents 304 of Jacob! And sing all ye dwellings of Israel! Sing and give ear to all my sayings and pay attention 305 to every word! And accept in joy upon yourselves and upon your souls the commandments of 306 your God. Open your tongues and your mouths and give honor to God your savior. 307 And give thanks to your Lord and put your trust in Him for He is one and He has no second 308 and there is none like Him among the gods and none equal to Him among the angels and none save Him among the gods 309 whose praise is without end and His adoration has no limit and no end; to His miracles no 310 fathoming; to His works no number. For He shall keep for us the promise which he made to our fathers. And He fulfilled 311 for us the covenant and love and the vow which he made to them through Moses, 312 Our Teacher, who redeemed us with many miracles and who brought us out from slavery to freedom and split 313 for us the sea and who gave us six hundred, thirteen commandments through Moses Our Teacher. Moses 314 said, that thirty six years Joshua was the servant of Moses in the wilderness. 315 As it is said, "His minister Joshua the son of Nun was a young man." And when the time to execute the decree against Moses arrived, 316 the Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Behold, thy days approach that thou must die, call Joshua’ tand command 317 Joshua." Moses the righteous one thought to himself, "Perhaps I must die, because Joshua my student is destined to lead Israel and to 318 go at their head. Because of this there was 319 a decree against me that I may not enter the land and not eat of its fruit. Of what use is the kingship 320 to me if my feet cannot tread upon the land of Israel? It is better that Joshua become leader 321 and I will be able to enter the land of Israel." What did Moses do from the first of Sh’bat until the sixth of 322 Adar? Moses went morning and evening and he served Joshua, as a student 323 does for a teacher. And those thirty-six days counted for Moses as thirty-six years each day counting for a year. 324 How did Moses serve Joshua? Every day Moses got up 325 at midnight and he went to the door of Joshua’s tent and he took the key and he opened 326 the door and he entered and he took his shirt and shook it and laid it out at his head, and he took 327 his sandals and he repaired them and he lay them at the side of the bed and he took his undergarment, and his cloak and his shawl 328 and his golden turban and his pearl crown and he examined them and cleaned them, 329 and polished them, and arranged them before him on the golden throne. Also he brought the pitcher of water 330 and the golden dish and placed it before the throne. And Joshua had not yet 331 awakened from his sleep. And after that Moses commanded a servant to honor 332 the house of Joshua’s tent like Moses’ tent. And he sent a messenger and he brought 333 the golden throne and he spread out the sheet of linen and the sheet of fine wool and all 334 his beautiful and precious vessels as was the custom of kings. And after that 335 Moses sent out a herald. He stood in Joshua’s tent and he said, "Everyone who wants to greet 336 Joshua, let him come for the word has fallen upon Joshua from The Holy One Blessed Be He to become leader 337 over Israel." At that time every individual who was in Israel when 338 he heard the herald, he was afraid and he trembled and shook his head and he wept. "Woe 339 to thee O land when thy king is a boy." And a Heavenly Voice said, "When Israel was a child I loved him." 340 Also the land opened her mouth and said, "I have been young and now I am old yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken." 341 The elders of Israel and all the officers of the army and the heads of the tribes and the captains of the thousands 342 and of the hundreds and of the tens gathered together. When they came to Moses and Moses commanded them and 343 he seated everyone according to his rank. And when Moses saw that Joshua had awakened 344 from his sleep, he entered and he took his shirt and put it in his hand. When 345 Joshua recognized him, he was ashamed and he took his shirt and he covered his body. 346 and he dressed trembling and he came and fell at Moses’ feet 347 And he said to him, "Do not kill me in the prime of life because the kingship came to me from The Holy One Blessed Be He." 348 Moses said to him, "My son, Do not be afraid. You have no sin with this matter In the same measure 349 what you meted out to me I will mete out to you as you served me with great kindness, so 350 I will serve you. I taught you, ‘And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Didn’t I teach you? Let the honor of 351 your student be as dear to you as your own." Finally he did not leave Joshua until he sat 352 on the golden throne as is the way of the kings of the earth. And by force he served him for all his needs. Even though he resisted he placed upon him 353 the rays of majesty, above all of them which 354 Zangael his teacher, the angel who was the scribe of all the heavenly beings in the world, placed upon him, at the time when he finished 355 all the orders of the Torah. When he wrapped himself in beauty, they came and they said to him, "all Israel 356 is waiting for you." Immediately Moses grasped Joshua and he brought him out from his tent. 357 And when the two of them arrived at the door of the tent, he led him before him by force. 358 When Israel saw Joshua walking in front all of them trembled, 359 and they stood on their feet at the door of the tent and the two of them went up to the place of 360 the important ones near the golden throne and he seated him by force. When Israel saw, 361 thus all of them wept and Joshua wept too and he said, "Why are greatness and honor mine?" 362 A Heavenly Voice came out and said to Moses, "You have only 363 five hours of life left in the world. Immediately Moses cried out in a loud voice and he said to Joshua, 364 "Sit like a king," And both of them expounded before all Israel 365 like one. Moses’ face was like the sun, Joshua’s face was like the moon. Moses 366 expounded. Joshua alsoexpounded. The verse which Moses read, Joshua 367 expounded. And there was no controversy between them in this matter 368 and their words presented the same meaning like the pearls of kings. And Solomon said about them, 369 "The words of the wise are as goads and as nails well fastened are those that are composed in collections; they are given from one shepherd." And also concerning them, "the ones who dwell in gardens thy companions hearken to thy voice." 370 And still Israel and Joshua sat before Moses. A Heavenly Voice came out 371 and said, "You have only four hours left to live." Moses said before 372 The Holy One Blessed Be He and he said, "Master of the Universe, If it is because of my student you are pushing me aside 373 I will act like a student to a teacher. And I will act like a common priest to a high priest 374 and he is like a king and I am like a slave." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to Moses, "I swore by My great name 375 which the heavens and the heaven of heavens cannot contain that ‘you shall not go over 376 this Jordan’" Moses said, "Master of the Universe, give me permission and I will be like a bird that flies 377 by the power of four Ineffable Name or like a fish and I will lift my two arms like two fins and my 378 hairs will become scales and I Will jump the Jordan, and I will go and I will see the land." 379 The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "If you would do such, I would consider it as if I had broken My oath." 380 He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, Let me sit on the wings of the cloud about three parasangs 381 above the Jordan, and the clouds will be below and I will be above and I will see 382 the land." The Holy One Blessed Be He said, "It would be considered by Me as if I had broken My oath. He said 383 before Him, "Master of the Universe, Cut me up limb by limb and after that cast me over 384 the Jordan. And after that revive me and I will see the land." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "It would be considered 385 by Me as if I had broken My oath." He said before Him, "Master of the Universe, Show me 386 the land with the sight of the eye." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to Moses, "In this matter I 387 am listening to you." As it is said, "For thou shall see the land afar off but thou shall not go thither." 388 The Holy One Blessed Be He showed him the land four hundred parasangs by four hundred parasangs 389 like the measure of a furrow in an orchard. And He put sufficient strength in his eyes so that he could see all of it, 390 the hidden with the high, and the secret with the open and the far off with the near so that he might see 391 all of it. And He said to him, "This is the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac 392 and to Jacob." Until now one hour had passed for him. A Heavenly Voice came out and said to Moses, 393 "Don’t trouble yourself for you have only three hours left to live in this world." 394 Moses said before Him, "Master of the Universe, place me near the children of Reuben and the children of Gad 395 that my soul may be like one of them. And Joshua shall stand and go up to the land of Israel." 396 The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "If this would be so, you would make my Torah a fraud for you wrote in the Torah, 397 ‘Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord God.’ When Israel saw 398 that you did not go up for the festival, what would they say? ‘And just as Moses through whom the Torah and the commandments were given 399 did not go up for the festival how much the more so we through whom the Torah was not given.’ And furthermore its result would be 400 that you would nullify my commandments and further on I wrote, ‘At the end of seven years... 401 in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, ‘when all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God.’ When Joshua would sit 402 and expound about Succot, you would destroy Joshua’s hour in the presence of all Israel." 403 What would Israel say? Before we learn Torah from the Student, and let us go 404 and we will learn from the Teacher. And the result would be that you would destroy his Midrash." Until now 405 one hour had passed for him. A Heavenly Voice came out and said to him, "Moses, why are you troubling yourself 406 you have only two hours left to live." And Samael was head of the satans⁠a 407 and every moment he waited for Moses’ death. "When will the hour come 408 that I may descend to kill him and take his soul?" He was like a man who looks forward to a joyous occasion. 409 When Michael the guardian angel of Israel saw Samael looking forward to Moses’ death, 410 he cried aloud and wept. And Samael rejoiced and laughed and he said 411 to Samael, "I weep and you laugh?" And there are those who say that he said to him, 412 "’Rejoice not against me O mine enemy though I am fallen I shall arise’ ‘For I am fallen’ with Moses. ‘I shall arise’ again 413 with reign of Joshua into whose hand thirty-one kings have fallen 414 ‘Though I sit in darkness’ refers to the destruction of the first and second Temples. ‘The Lord is a light unto me’ refers to 415 the days of the Messiah." Until now one hour had passed. A Heavenly Voice came out 416 and said to him, "You have only one hour left to live in the world." He said before Him, 417 "Master of the Universe, Behold, I wish to be like a bird who flies in all four directions and gathers 418 his food on the land and drinks water from the rivers and in the evening returns to its nest." 419 The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "’Let it suffice thee.’" He said before him, "Master of the Universe, ‘The Rock his work is perfect." 420 And he gave a loud cry and he wept and he said, "To whom shall I go that can seek mercy for me?’ He went 421 to all of creation. He said to them, "Seek mercy for me." They said to him, 422 "For ourselves we are not able to seek mercy. As it is written 423 about us, ‘He hath created everything beautiful in its time,’ and at the end it is written, ‘Everyone goes to one place.’ 424 And further it is written, ‘For the heavens shall vanish like the smoke and the earth shall wax old like a garment.’" 425 When Moses saw that he was not able to escape from death, he called Joshua 426 in the presence of all Israel. He said to him, "See, my son, that I am handing over to you the people of the Lord. 427 They are children. And still they do not occupy themselves with the commandments of the Torah. Be careful with them that you 428 do not say to them anything which is not worthy for they are His son, the first born of The Holy One Blessed Be He and He loves him 429 more than any other nation or language." At that time The Holy One Blessed Be He said to Joshua, "Joshua, 430 Put yourself in the place of Moses, your teacher. Take the staff and strike him on his head," As it is said, 431 "Withold not correction from the child." "For when Israel was a child then I loved him." Joshua said, 432 "Moses, My Teacher, what will become of me? Perhaps I will give them an inheritance in the mountain and they will say to me 433 give us an inheritance in the valley." Moses said to him, "My son, Do not be afraid for thus The Holy One Blessed Be He promised me 434 that He would make peace in Israel’s controversies about the land." Moses 435 said to him, "Any question which you have, ask me, for I am about to be taken 436 from you and you will not see me again." Joshua said to him, "My teacher, Where have I left you 437 day or night that I should have questions to ask, because he did not ask three thousand Kal vHomers have been forgotten by him. 438 He Moses left him in the study house of Ya’vetz. 439 Moses said to him, "Even though you do not have questions to ask, come 440 and let me kiss you." He went and he kissed him, he wept on his neck and he blessed him, "My son, may there be peace to you, 441 and Israel His people. They did not find tranquility from me all my days because of 442 the warning and the reproves with which I reproved them." He began to bless each tribe individually. 443 When he saw that his time was short, he included them in one blessing. 444 And he said to them, "I troubled you with the Torah and the commandments. Forgive me." They said to him, 445 "Our Teacher, Our Master, you are forgiven. We also have angered you many times and we increased 446 your burden. Forgive us." He said to them, "You are forgiven." They came and they said 447 to him, "The time has arrived that you must depart from the world. Blessed is the living God and may He endure 448 forever." Moses said to Israel, "Please, when you enter the land, 449 remember me and my bones." And they said to me, "Woe to the son of Amram who ran 450 before us like a horse in the wilderness and his bones fall in the desert." Israel said to him, 451 "Our Teacher, if you are separated from us, what will become of us?" He said 452 to them, "When I was with you and The Holy One Blessed Be He was with you. Perhaps you shall say, ‘all 453 the miracles and wonders which were done through me were for my sake. But they were only done 454 for your sake and on account of His mercy and His love and if you put your trust in Him, He will do 455 your wishes." All of them opened their mouths and said, "The Lord is God, The Lord is God 456 God is our refuge and strength." A Heavenly Voice came out and said, "Moses, Why 457 are you troubling yourself? You have only a half hour left to live in the world." 458 he saw the qualities of the world and the great salvations and consolations which 459 The Holy One Blessed Be He will do for Israel. He said to them, "Happy are you O Israel who 460 is like you ‘a people saved by the Lord,’" and he stood and he blessed them with peace and he raised his voice and he wept. 461 And he said to Israel, "In peace I will see you at the resurrection of the dead." And he went out 462 of their presence with great weeping and Israel also wept and they cried out loudly. 463 What did Moses do? He tore his garment and he took off his coat and he covered his head like a mourner 464 and he entered his tent. And he wept and he said, "Woe to my feet which shall not tread 465 upon the land. Woe to my hands that did not pluck its fruit. Woe to my throat which did not eat the fruit 466 of the land flowing with milk and honey. A Heavenly Voice came out and said to Moses, You have only 467 a minute and a half left to live in the world." What did Moses do? He took the scroll 468 in his hand and he wrote on it the Ineffable Name and the Book of the Upright. And Moses went to Joshua’s tent 469 to hand over to him the scroll and Joshua was sitting and expounding Moses remained 470 standing. And he bowed down and he lay his hand on his head and Joshua’s eyes were closed, 471 and he did not see him so that he could hand over his soul to death. Israel went 472 to Moses’ tent and Israel said, "Where is Moses Our Teacher?" He said 473 to them, "In Joshua’s tent." Israel went and they found him standing 474 and Joshua was sitting. Israel said to Joshua, "What is on your mind 475 that Moses your teacher stands while you are sitting?" When Joshua saw Moses 476 and he saw him standing, Joshua cried out and said, "My Teacher, My Teacher, My Father, My Father, My Lord. 477 My Lord, Why are you punishing me?" Israel said to him, "Our Teacher, Teach us 478 Torah." Moses said to them, "I don’t have permission." Israel said to him, "We will not 479 leave you." At that time a Heavenly Voice came out and said to them, "Learn 480 from Joshua. Joshua now sits at the head." Rabbi Samuel bar Nahamani said that 481 Rabbi Johanan said, At the time when Joshua said, "Blessed be He who chose the righteous," 482 they took the tradition of wisdom from Moses and they gave it to Joshua. And Moses did not know what 483 Joshua said. After that Joshua stood. Israel said, "Finish the 484 Halahah." He said to them, "I do not know what I can answer you." And Moses stumbled 485 and fell. At that time Moses said, "Master of the Universe, until now I sought life 486 and now surely my soul is given into your hand." When he handed over his soul to death, 487 and the Holy One Blessed Be He said to Gabriel, "Go out and bring me Moses’ soul," 488 Gabriel said, "Master of the Universe, He is the one who counts as much as six hundred thousand, how can I take 489 his soul and it would be impudent for me to go into his presence." After that He said to Michael the same thing, 490 and Michael wept. And after that He said to Zangael the same thing. Zangael said, "Master of the Universe, 491 I was his teacher and he was my student. How can I take his soul?" And after that 492 He said to Samael the same thing. Immediately Samael went out in great joy from the presence of The Holy One Blessed Be He. And he put on 493 his sword and he wore cruelty and he went near Moses with great anger. When he looked 494 at him while he was writing the Ineffable Name and sparks of fire were coming out his mouth and shining 495 from his face and his speech shone like the sun and he was like an angel of the Lord of Hosts, 496 Samael was afraid and he trembled. He said to himself, "This is why all the angels fled 497 for they were not able to take his soul." And before Samael came, The Holy One Blessed Be He showed 498 Moses and Moses knew that Samael was coming. And when he lifted his eyes and he saw 499 Samael, Samael’s eyes grew dim from the radiance of Moses’ countenance and he fell on his face and fear gripped him 500 And he was terrified and trembling like a woman in labor. And he did not speak until Moses opened his mouth 501 first. And he said to Samael, "Samael ‘There is no peace saith the Lord concerning the wicked.’ Why 502 are you standing against me?" Samael said to him, "Your time has arrived to depart from this world. 503 Give me your soul." He said to him, "Who sent you to me?" He said to him, "He who created 504 the world and the souls. All souls are handed over into my hand from when the world was created." 505 Moses said to him, "I have more strength than anyone in the world for I came out of my mother’s womb already circumcised. 506 And on the day I was born, I spoke to my father and to my mother. And even though I nursed at the breasts of my mother 507 it was only for the wages and at three years I prophesied that I was destined to receive 508 the Torah. And I took the royal crown from on Pharaoh’s head and at eighty 509 I did signs and wonders and I brought out six hundred thousand and I split the sea for them 510 into twelve paths. And I was victorious in battle and I received 511 half of them in the cloud and I changed bitter water to sweet water and I hewed two stone tablets 512 and I went up to heaven and I spoke face to face with the Lord of the world and I was victorious 513 over the heavenly retinue and I received the Torah and I wrote for them six hundred thirteen commandments 514 from The Holy One Blessed Be He. And I taught them to the children of Israel and I made war against the two 515 kings, who were the descendants of the giants who at the time of the flood the water only reached 516 up to their ankles and I made the sun and the moon stand still in the sky. To whom 517 is there strength among all the inhabitants of the world to overcome a hero like me. Flee from before me, Samael!" When 518 Samael saw the rebuke of Moses, he was dismayed and he fled. A Heavenly Voice came out 519 and said to him, "Moses, do not trouble yourself; you have only 520 a half-minute left to live in this world." Samael returned to The Holy One Blessed Be He and He said to him, "Go out and bring me his soul." 521 The Holy One Blessed Be He was angered. Samael said before The Holy One Blessed Be He, "Master of the Universe, if you would say to me 522 ‘Go and change Gehenam from the rank of celestial to terresterial I would change it. And 523 I was only hindered before the son of Amram. I am unable to stand because 524 he is like to the Seraphim of the chariot and sparks of fire come out of his mouth. 525 And furthermore the radiance of his countenance is like to the Shechinah. Please do not send me to him, 526 for I am not able to stand before him." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to Samael "From the fire of 527 Gehenam you were created and to the fire of Gehenam you are about to return. At first you left 528 my presence with great joy but when you saw his greatness you returned in shame. Go 529 and bring me his soul." At that time he withdrew his sword from its sheath. He went and stood 530 near Moses. Immediately Moses stood in anger and rage and he stood and took the staff 531 of God in his hand on which had been engraved the Ineffable Name and he met Samael and he rebuked 532 him until he ran from him and he ran after him with the Ineffable 533 Name and he grasped him and he beat him with the staff and he blinded Samael’s eyes and his rays of majesty. 534 Until now a half-minute had passed. A Heavenly voice came out and said to him, "Moses, Why 535 are you troubling yourself? The end of the hour has come." Moses stood in prayer and he said, 536 "Master of the Universe, Remember You revealed Yourself to me in the bush. Remember that You brought me up to heaven. 537 I did not eat and I did not drink forty days and forty nights. O merciful and gracious God, 538 Do not hand me over to this angel of death." The Holy One Blessed Be He said, "I accept 539 your prayer. I will accompany you and bury you myself." Immediately Moses sanctified 540 himself like the Seraphim of Majesty and The Holy One Blessed Be He came down from the upper most heaven 541 to receive Moses’ soul. When Moses saw The Holy One Blessed Be He, he fell on 542 his face and he said, "Master of the Universe, With the quality of love and with the quality of mercy you created your worlds. And 543 with the quality of mercy you deal with them and deal with me with the quality of mercy!" 544 The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Let your righteousness go before you." Three angels came down with him, 545 Michael, and Zangael and Gabriel. And Gabriel spread out Moses’ bier. 546 Michael spread out the purple cloak and Zangael laid the pillow of fine wool 547 at his head. Zangael was at his feet. Michael was on one side and Gabriel 548 was on one side. The Holy One Blessed Be He said to him, "Put your two hands on your chest. Close your eyes." 549 And he did so. Immediately The Holy One Blessed Be He called to Moses’ soul, and He said to her, "My daughter, 550 one hundred twenty years I set aside as your years to be in the body of this righteous one. 551 Come out and do not tarry, My daughter." The soul answered, "I know that you are the God of the spirits 552 and in Your hand is every living soul. You created me and You put me in the body of this righteous one. Is there any body 553 as clean and pure and holy in the world like Moses? that flies were never seen on it? 554 And he was never envious. It is good for me to remain here." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to her, 555 "My daughter, do not tarry, Your end has arrived. And I will seat you with Me on the throne of My glory 556 near the throne of the Seraphim, the Ophanim and the angels and the Cherubim," She said before Him, 557 "Master of the Universe, it is good for me here in this one. Just as the angels Aza and Azael came down from heaven 558 and corrupted their way. Moses who was human from the day you revealed yourself to him in the bush 559 he did not return to his wife. Leave me in my place." When The Holy One Blessed Be He saw this He took 560 his soul with a kiss. As it is said, And Moses the servant of the Lord died there by the kiss of the Lord." 561 And He wept. If it were possible to say The Holy One Blessed Be He began to wail over him. As it is said, "Who shall 562 rise up for me against the evil doers?" Who shall stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" And the angels wept 563 and they said, "But wisdom where shall it be found?" And the Heavens also said, "The Godly man has perished 564 out of the earth." And the land said, "And the upright among men is no more." And all the stars and planets 565 said, and the sun and the moon and the holy spirit said, "And there hath not arisen a prophet since 566 in Israel like Moses." And Joshua sought Moses and he did not find him. 567 Metatron came before The Holy One Blessed Be He and he said, "Master of the Universe, Moses in his lifetime was yours and in his death 568 he is yours." The Holy One Blessed Be He said to Metatron, "It is not over Moses alone 569 I am to be comforted but over him and over Israel who many times angered me 570 and he prayed on their behalf and it appeased me. As it is said, ‘He executed the righteousness of the Lord 571 and his ordinances with Israel.’" And he said before him, "The Lord He is God. 572 The Lord He is God in heaven above and upon earth beneath. 573 There is none else." Even I will testify concerning him. "And there hath not arisen a prophet still 574 in Israel like Moses and in all the mighty hand 575 and in all the great terror, which 576 Moses wrought in the sight of all 577 Israel."