Stepping Into the Future

Abstract

R’ Hirsch explains why Moshe had to remove his shoes by the burning bush. He was standing on a “holy place”, meaningthis was ground with a holy “destination”. This place was being chosen by Hashem to give Moshe the mission of saving Bnei Yisroel. He was told to remove his shoes to symbolize that he should not feel it necessary to change himself and “move beyond” his mission. Rather Moshe was simply supposed to give up of himself for the mission that he is being given. Likewise the Kohanim in the Beis Hamikdash stood barefoot on the ground as to symbolize that they must identify themselves and absorb themselves with the kedusha of that place rather than try to progress further. In summary, shoes symbolize progress. When a person arrives at a holy place, there is no room for progress, as he has reached his goal.