A biseleh midrash

Photo @nasa (unsplash.com) They saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. But God did not lay His hand on the nobles of Israel; they saw Him, and they ate and drank. (Exodus 24:10-11) What did they see? Something nice, for sure. Something to talk about back home: a god walking on a path of precious stones! Pretty. Really. "Were those real sapphires, you think?" "Yes, I figure they were.... More wine?" ----------------------------------- They were the youngest in the group; had been singled out by name to accompany their father, uncle, and the seventy elders. Time came for Moses and Joshua to go higher to meet the Presence of God. Before setting off Moses said to the elders, Wait here for us until we come back to you. (Exodus 24:14) He did not address his nephews, because ... because he had forgotten they were there. Nadab and Abihu had quietly left the group and hidden behind some boulders on

  Photo: Anastasiya Romanova Leah, Beloved Daughter: I do not know where in the wilderness this letter will reach you—if at all. Emet, son of Jehdeiah, returned for his wife who was too ill to travel when you all rushed off. She waited for him hiding in our chicken coop in the back. I hope they make it safely across the Sea and can rejoin your group. He did say that conditions were not good, that food and water and blowing sand were making progress difficult, and that people often doubted that they were indeed going to the promised land. I know you believe this man Moses and trust that the arduous journey will bring you to a place where you, Yoezer and the children will live and prosper. May it be so. I am well, and so far I have no regrets about not having joined the trek. I am old and might have slowed the group down too much; and everything I know is here in this house and this village. Of course I realize that Pharaoh came down hard on Yoezer and the other draftsmen, but still,