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Sammael forthwith returned, and brought word back to God. But the Holy One said to Sammael: ‘Go, and bring the soul of Moses.’ He immediately drew his sword from its sheath, and stood near Moses. Whereupon Moses grew wroth, seized in his hand the staff, upon which was engraved the Ineffable Name, and fell upon him with the Ineffable Name, and taking a ray of splendor from between his eyes, he blinded Sammael’s eyes. Thus far Moses prevailed.

At the last moment a heavenly voice came forth, and said: ‘The hour of thy death has come.’ Moses then said to the Holy One, blessed be He: ‘O Lord of the universe, remember the day on which Thou didst reveal Thyself unto me in the bush, and didst say unto me: “Come, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth My people the children of Israel out of Egypt.”^[43] Remember the time when I stood upon mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights. I implore Thee, deliver me not unto the hand of the angel of death.’ Whereupon a heavenly voice came forth, and said unto him: ‘Fear not! I Myself shall take charge of thee and of thy burial.’