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“All the people witnessed the thundering, and the lightning, and the sound of the shofar, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled and stood far off.” Exodus 20:18, Tree of Life Version At Sinai, B’nei Yisrael “trembled,” and said to Moshe, “‘Speak to us, and we will listen, but do not let G’d speak to us, or we will die'” (Exodus 20:16, TLV). Moshe reassured them, “‘Do not be afraid, for G’d has come to test you, so that His fear may be in you, so that you do not sin'” (Exodus 20:17, TLV). Therefore, as Moshe explained, their demonstration of yiras H’Shem (fear of the L’RD), in regard to the proper awe, respect, and reverence that should be given to G’d, was essential as a preventive measure against sin. Additionally, B’nei Yisrael requested that Moshe be the intermediary between G’d and themselves, inasmuch that they would prefer that he relate the words of G’d to them, lest they themselves hear G’d’s voice and die (Exodus 20:19, TLV). Another account, given later in the Torah, addresses their request, in reference to a future intermediary: “AD’NAI your G’d will raise up for you a prophet like me from your midst – from your brothers. To him you must listen. This is just what you asked of AD’NAI your G’d in Horeb on the day of the assembly when saying, ‘I can not continue to hear the voice of AD’NAI my G’d or see this great fire any more, or I will die’” (Deuteronomy 18:15-16, TLV). “G’d thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things beyond our comprehension.” Job 37:5, Tree of Life Version The Revelation at Sinai consisted of the revealing of G’d’s presence to B’nei Yisrael, in a manner that inspired awe in them, to the degree that they stood afar off, while Moshe entered the cloud that surrounded the L’RD’s Presence. In the midst of the darkness, the L’RD spoke with Moshe. “'I am about to come to you in a thick cloud'” (Exodus 19:9, TLV). This description parallels a more private audience, on a mountain outside of Yerushalayim, two thousand years ago. For, the one mentioned as the prophet, like unto Moshe, who would be raised up amongst his brethren, also spoke to G’d on a mountain. He brought two of his talmidav (students), who entered the cloud with him: “A cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My Son, the One I have chosen'" (Luke 9:34-35, Tree of Life Version). In like manner that Moshe was chosen to lead B’nei Yisrael out of Egypt, effectively enacting their redemption from slavery to freedom; so, too, was Yeshua chosen, as the One who leads us out of bondage to sin, into a new life, “Having been set free from [slave master] chet (sin), you became eved (servants) of the Tsidkat H’Shem (the righteousness of G-d)” (Kehillah in Rome 6:18, Orthodox Jewish Bible).