Going up
and coming down
The moment of connection
When all must be kept apart
for fear of breaking forth
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We finally reach “this day,” “this place.” We are back—as promised—at
the “mountain of God.” The circle is complete. The gaping uncertainty filled.
We leave the nadir of Refidim, with its existential doubt-“Is God amongst us or
nothingness?” Now God has “brought you to Me.” A promise of an everlasting relationship:
“you will be treasured from all people, a kingdom of priests”—which takes on
new meaning in the aftermath of Jethro-the-priest’s visit. There is a brief moment
of perfect harmony. Heaven “comes down” to earth. For once, the “entire” nation
“answers together” to affirm rather than complain.
But in the background, looming danger. The consummation devoutly
to be wished for carries its own danger. In the place of uncertainty, the
desire for possession, to take, to have. “Do not touch” the people are warned
again and again, and the “boundaries” are set into place and emphasized. Moses is
again the liminal figure, going up and going down, binding heaven and earth. The
mountain flames in a recreation of the burning bush, and the question is: who
will be consumed? “Do not get close to a woman”—there is no place for human
relations when surrounded by the encompassing Voice. Everything is on “edge”. And those who touch the "edge" will be destroyed by the "breaking forth" of the carefully contained power]
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