Shemot 24:11 – “Gazing at Hashem”

Question

I’m a bit puzzled by this verse. Translated, it says “And G-d did the leaders of Israel no harm, and they looked upon G-d and they ate and drank.” I’m having trouble reconciling this with Shemot 33:20, which says “And G-d said, ‘For no one can see Me and live.'”.

I’ve read what the Ramban and Rashi have to say and I don’t find their answers satisfying. Can you provide me with more context? Thanks!

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    I am not sure that I can offer anything that you will find any more satisfying than Rashi and the Ramban! In any event, according to my humble understanding, the Elders were privy to a level of prophecy that they had never yet encountered. It was so incredibly sublime that the Torah equates it to “gazing at Hashem.” It does not, however, mean that they actually saw Hashem. Rather, it means that they felt a closeness that they had never experienced before.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team