Why does the Torah repeat, "va'Ya'amod ha'Am me'Rachok"?
Targum Yonasan: In spite of Moshe's reassurance (which succeeded in calming them down - R. Bachye), they remained standing twelve Mil from Har Sinai. 1
Oznayim la'Torah: Until angels came and escorted them back. Refer to 20:15:5:1** .
"Vaya'amod ha'Am me'Rachok". But the Torah already wrote - in Pasuk 15 "Vayar ha'Am Vayanu'u Vaya'amdu me'Rachok"?
R. Bachye: The first Pasuk means that they moved physically away from the border that Moshe set-up, the current Pasuk refers to their spiritual level - to teach us that, although they all prophesied when they heard the Aseres ha'Dibros, their level of prophecy was far below that of Moshe.
Where did Moshe go?
Rashi: He went to within the three Mechitzos - Choshech, Anan and Arafel. 1
Ramban: Refer to 20:15:4:2****** .
Rashi: Which was equivalent to the "Av he'Anan" mentioned earlier in 19:9. R. Bachye: He did not enter it - like a man approaches the gate of the king, but he does not enter it.
What is the definition of "Arafel"?
R. Bachye #1: It is the dark area which surrounds the Shechinah 1 - it is so dark that He is hidden even from the administering angels.
R. Bachye #2: 'A pure and bright light'. 2 "Arafel" is the acronym of 'Iruy Ofel' - 'the removal of darkness'. It is a radiance so powerful that it prevents anyone who looks from seeing what is inside. 3
R. Bachye: As the Pasuk writes in Tehilim 97b "Anan va'Arafel Sevivav".
R. Bachye: As the Pasuk writes in Daniel 2:22 "u'Nehora Imeih Shara".
It is also synonymous with the "Av he'Anan" that Hashem mentioned in 19:9.
Why does the Torah write "u'Moshe Nigash"?
Moshav Zekenim (citing Pirkei d'R. Eliezer (41): Micha'el and Gavriel forced Moshe to come close, against his will.
Why was the Torah given amidst darkness, and not amidst light?
Hadar Zekenim: Hashem knew that they will serve idolatry, so He did not give it amidst light, in order not to increase the Simchah (and with it, the impact of the sin).
