undertook. This is the word that Abraham uses twice in his attempt to affect God’s decision about the fate of Sodom. He says: “Here I’ve undertaken to speak to my Lord, and I’m dust and ashes” (Gen 18:27,31). That is the first time in the Tanak that a human argues with God. Now the same term is used for Moses’ setting out to convey a message from God to the people. Again it is a reminder of how far humans have come, and it may even hint that such growth was necessary: humans had to rise to that level, at which one (Abraham) could question God, before they could move to the level of receiving
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