RAV KOOK ON PARSHAS KI TISA

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Translated and abridged by Rabbi Chanan Morrison Parshat Ki Tisa A Divine Vision One of the Torah's most enigmatic passages describes a mysterious encounter that took place after the sin of the Golden Calf. After successfully pleading for the sake of the Jewish people, Moses took advantage of that special moment of Divine favor. "Please let me have a vision of Your Glory," he requested. God explained that it is impossible for mortal man "to have a vision of Me and live" (Ex. 33:20). But God agreed to protect Moses in a mountain crevice as He 'passed by.' "You will then have a vision of My back. My face, however, will not be seen." (Ex. 33:17-23) This account raises many questions. The most obvious problem concerns the story's anthropomorphic elements. God has no body. What do the allegorical terms 'back' and 'face' mean here?