THE DEATH OF MOSES
143
The Death of Moses
From Midrash Tanchuma
IN the hour when the Holy One, blessed be He, said unto Moses: "Get thee up into this mountain . . . . and die,"—"Now," thought the Angel of Death, "hath the Holy One given me dominion over the soul of Moses." And he appeared and stood before him.
Then spake Moses: "The Holy One, blessed be He, hath promised me that He will not give me over into thine hand."
And the Angel answered: "The Holy One, blessed be He, hath sent me unto thee; for thou shalt pass away this day."
Then said Moses unto him: "Get thee hence; for I seek to extol the Holy One. 'I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord,'"
"Why vaunt thyself?" spake the Angel,
