They received visions and the visions were accompanied by understanding of the visions’ meanings. The message that they perceived through prophecy was not expressed in specific words. Other prophets did not communicate with Hashem on this level. In other words, these are Hashem’s own words. Therefore, he transmitted his prophecy to the nation with the preface “this is the matter that Hashem commanded”. He perceived the communication as the words of Hashem. He communicated with Hashem as clearly as two mortal individuals communicate with one other. One of the special aspects of Moshe’s prophecy was its absolute clarity. Mizrachi explains that Moshe achieved a higher level of prophecy than any other prophet. The unique character of Moshe’s prophecy.Both the substance and the form of the message that will be communicated are from Hashem. The preface “this is the matter that Hashem commanded” communicates the words that Moshe will use, are the exact words provided by Hashem. The specific form or wording that the prophet uses to present the content is his own. The content of his message is from Hashem. He is not suggesting that the words with which he will present the message are the words of Hashem. When a prophet uses the preface “thus said Hashem”, he indicates that he is attributing the substance of his message to Hashem. Rav Eliyahu Mizrachi explains that these two phrases are actually very different from one another. However, the two phrases seem very similar! What is the difference between these two statements? Other prophets could not use this introduction. “This is the matter that Hashem commanded” is uniquely appropriate for Moshe. What is the message of Rashi? Rashi apparently maintains that these two phrases are very different. In our pasuk, Moshe begins with the phrase, zeh – “this is the matter that Hashem commanded.” The preface zeh – this – was not used by other prophets. He explains that Moshe sometimes prefaced a communcation with the phrase, khoe – “thus said Hashem.” This introduction was also used by other prophets. Rashi, based upon the midrash, makes an enigmatic comment on this passage. This pasuk introduces a discussion of laws governing vows. And Moshe spoke to the leaders of the tribes of Bnai Yisrael saying: This is the matter that Hashem commanded.
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