As we near the end of the 2021 year, I am wanting to return to my podcast and blog in one shape or another. Perhaps this is a wonderful point of return, as we begin the second book of the Torah right at the turning of the year.
This week’s portion brings back memories for me of the wonderful passion that was instilled in me by my esteemed teacher of Biblical Hebrew at Indiana University, Ah-Seng Choo, of blessed memory. I speak of Ah-Seng often when I talk about my earliest studies, because he really bonded me with the importance of the elements of the language. Without him, my interest in how trope coincides with the meaning of the language would likely have not emerged in the way that it has.
As I approached this week’s portion again, I was drawn to one of the most mysterious verses of Torah possibly in the entire Torah found in Exodus 3:14. (Find the text here, via Sefaria.) I clearly remember translating this text in class, and when we got to this verse, where God responds to Moses’ question as to how he should present the name of God to the people, as one that evades translation. Is it “I am who I am,” “I will be who I will be”? … the meaning is certainly lost in or locked outside of the ability of translation. There is so much said in this simple three word, palindromic phrase. It is beautifully round. I will add here, as it is my regular focus, that the trope here doesn’t illuminate the text. It is entirely average in its basic trope pattern.
But, the words are what stand out. And, that is entirely what is essential and in the moment here. Anything that would detract from the poetic beauty and foretelling nature of the text would also detract from this moment.
The Talmudic commentary brings to light an idea that God is speaking to the people in the present, through Moses, and marking God’s own presence in the present moment and continuing to the future.
No matter the interpretive drive to fully understand this mysterious verse of text, I would rather just be led into the mystery.
Let it be what it will be.
Shabbat Shalom.