h _him_ that _is_
not here with us this day' " (Deut. xxix. 15).

In the hour that Moses ascended up on high the ministering angels said
before God, "O Lord of the world, what business has he that is born of
woman amongst us?" He answered, "He is come to receive the Law." They
replied, "This desirable treasure, which has been treasured up from the
six days of creation, six hundred and seventy-four generations before the
world was created, dost Thou now wish to give it to flesh and blood? what
is man that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that Thou visitest
him? O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth, Who
hast set Thy glory above the heavens." The Holy One said to Moses, "Return
them an answer." He said, "O Lord of the world, I fear, lest they burn me
with the breath of their mouth." God said, "Lay hold on the throne of my
glory, and return them an answer; for it is said, 'He that holdeth the
face of His throne, He spreadeth His cloud over him' " (Job xxvi. 9).
Rabbi Nahum says, "This means that the Almighty spread some of the glory
of the Shechinah and His cloud over him." He then said, "Lord of the
world, what is written in the Law that Thou art about to give me?" "I am
the Lord thy God, that brought thee out of Egypt." He then said, "Did ye
(angels) ever go down into Egypt and serve Pharaoh? why then should ye
have the Law?" Again, "What is written therein?" "Thou shalt have none
other God." He then asked them, "Do ye then dwell among the uncircumcised,
that ye should commit idolatry?" Again, "What is written?" "Remember the
Sabbath day to sanctify it." "Do ye then do any work so as to need rest?"
Again, "What is written?" "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in
vain." "Have ye then any work that would lead to this sin?" Again, "What
is written?" "Honor thy father and mother." "Have ye then got any father
or mother?" Again, "What is written?" "Thou shalt do no murder." "Thou
shalt not commit adultery." "Thou shalt not steal." "Have ye then envy or
the principle of evil amongst you?" Immediately they praised the Holy One,
"Blessed be He."

Wonderful stories are told of the manna. The manna is said to have fallen
from heaven, accompanied by showers of pearls and precious stones. It
tasted to everyone according to his desire. If one wished for fat fowl, so
it tasted. If another other wished for honey, so it tasted, as it is
written, "Thou hast lacked nothing" (Deut. xi. 7). The Targum