There are two topics discussed in Numbers 8. The first one talks about the menorah in the Tabernacle.
The rest of the chapter’s verses delve into the subject of the tribe of Levi.
“And God spoke to Moses saying. Speak to Aaron and say to him: When
you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front candlestick.”
In the menorah verses, Abravanel finds an opportunity to enlighten Bible students about Moses’
unparalleled prophetic prowess. What is the connection between Moses and the sacred light fixture that
stood in the Tabernacle’s sanctuary?
To preface, there is a rabbinic debate surrounding one aspect of Moses’ prophecies: Was he able to
harness divine messages 24/7 or only during daylight hours? One rabbi deduces the answer from the
juxtaposition of our chapter dealing with the menorah with the previous one that features Moses’
prophetic ability: “And when Moses went into the Tent of Meeting that He might speak with him, then
he heard the voice speaking unto him…” Since the menorah lit up the sanctuary at night, and since
Moses entered the holy chamber whenever he desired, the commentator inferred that Moses heard
Heaven’s messages around the clock.
The opposing rabbi learns that Moses only prophesied during daytime. Abravanel explains the rabbinic
debate that has its root going back to the Talmudic sages. Their opinion turns on another Torah verse:
“And it came to pass on the day when God spoke to Moses…” Underscore “on the day” – not night.
Abravanel takes issue with the side that seeks to show that Moses only prophesied in the daytime. He
focuses on the phrase: “on the day.” The words, Abravanel suggests, are not meant to teach about
Moses’ nocturnal prophetic capabilities or lack thereof. Instead, the phrase hints at something else
altogether. Moses had not received divine communication via dreams, when people sleep at night.
In other words, “on the day” conveys Moses’ superior quality prophecies. They had not arrived with the
help, so to speak, of nighttime dreams. Every other Biblical prophet had heard God’s voice while
sleeping, in a dream-like state. Not so Moses. He channeled prophecy via his intellect, his reason, his
cognition. Hence, Moses could attune to Heaven, regardless of the time of day.
In sum, Abravanel studies our verses pertaining to the menorah, and flushes out an integral component
of Moses’ prophecies. They arrived 24/7 and when the prophet was in a wakeful state. Abravanel finds
Scriptural support for his conclusion in a later verse. “And He said: Hear now My words: if there be a
prophet among you, I God do make Myself known unto him in a vision. I do speak with him in a dream.
My servant Moses is not so; he is trusted in all My house.”
