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Why does the Gemara (גמרא) in Berachos view Moshe's fear to look at the burning bush as either meritorious or blameworthy? The shiur resolves this through the Kli Yakar's insight that Moshe could have achieved 'admas kodesh' - sanctifying even his physicality through complete bittul. His 'fear' represented choosing human limitations over total self-nullification required to see the divine presence.
This shiur examines a fundamental Talmudic debate in Berachos chapter 7 regarding Moshe Rabbeinu's reaction at the burning bush. When Hashem (ה׳) appeared to Moshe, the Torah (תורה) states 'vayaster Moshe panav' (he hid his face) because he was afraid to look at God. The Gemara (גמרא) presents two opposing views: one opinion holds this was meritorious - through this merit of not looking, Moshe later merited the radiance of his face (keren panav). The second opinion argues it was a complaint against Moshe - when Hashem later refused Moshe's request at Har Sinai to 'show me Your glory,' Hashem responded: 'When I wanted, you didn't want; now that you want, I don't want.' The Maharsha raises a fundamental difficulty with the second opinion: if Hashem could have shown Moshe the divine presence at the burning bush, how do we understand the verse 'ki lo yir'ani ha'adam vachai' (for man cannot see Me and live)? This seems to indicate it's impossible for any person to see God and survive, contradicting the notion that Moshe could have looked.
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Berachos chapter 7
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