1)

Why did Moshe repeat his request for Hashem to accompany Yisrael?

1.

Oznayim la'Torah: Based on the following Pasuk, it seems that he was asking Hashem to enter into a covenant with Yisrael in this regard 1 - and Hashem acquiesced to this request as well.


1

To cover them in the event that they sinned again (Oznayim la'Torah).

2)

Why did Moshe's request for Hashem to accompany Yisrael depend on the fact that they were a stubborn nation?

1.

Rashi and Rashbam: With reference to the thirteen Midos, Moshe was saying that, Hashem could safely travel with them, because, even 'if', 1 in their stubbornness, they rebelled, and in spite of what He said earlier 2 "Pen Achelcha ba'Darech", He would forgive them, seeing as He carried sin (as He had just informed him).

2.

Ramban, Targum Onkelos, Targum Yonasan and Hadar Zekenim #1: It is precisely because Yisrael are prone to sin that they need Hashem (who had just forgiven them), to go with them. 3 Moreover, Hashem is interested in their well-being, seeing as they are His people and His inheritance (as the Pasuk goes on to explain).

3.

Seforno and Hadar Zekenim #2: In spite of Yisrael being stiff-necked - and therefore bound to sin, it is preferable that You go with them (even though the sin of the people will be much bigger) 4 than a Mal'ach, because, whereas a Mal'ach does not have a mandate to forgive, 5 Hashem will forgive them. 6

4.

Toras Avigdor (Vayera p.9): Because they are stubborn, Hashem should accompany them - because, in their stubbornness, theyignore all the follies of the world.

5.

Oznayimla'Torah: It is precisely because they are stubborn that they need Hashem to go with them - to teach them to go in His ways, because, once they are trained to do so, they will hold on to them tenaciously and never deviate from them. 7


1

Rashi: Here, "Ki" means 'if', and not 'because'.

2

See 33:16 (Rashi).

3

And not a Mal'ach (who is not able to forgive - Ramban). In contrast to earlier, when Hashem was angry with them, and He would have destroyed them had they sinned (See 33:3), in which case it would have been preferable to have sent a Mal'ach, as the Torah wrote there (Ramban).

4

As Hashem Himself pointed out earlier. See 33:5 (Seforno).

5

As the Pasuk stated in 23:21 (Seforno).

6

As He said He would in the thirteen Midos.

7

See Oznayim la'Torah, who elaborates.

3)

What are the connotations of "u'Nechaltanu"?

1.

Rashi and Ramban: It means that Yisrael, exclusively should become Hashem's inheritance. 1

2.

Targum Yonasan, Da'as Zekenim and Hadar Zekenim: It means that He will enable Yisrael to inherit the land that He promised to their fathers (and that he will never exchange them for another nation - Targum Yonasan).


1

Rashi: This is synonymous with the request "ve'Niflinu Ani ve'Amcha" (33:16) - that Hashem will never rest His Shechinah on any other nation. Refer also to 33:16:1:1, 2 & 4.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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