The story of Moses at the burning bush in the Book of Exodus (Exodus 3:1-12) is a profound moment that carries layers of symbolism, including themes of humility, transformation, and the stripping away of identity.
When Moses encounters the burning bush, God calls to him:
“Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)
The Symbolism of Removing Sandals
In the ancient Near East, removing one’s sandals was an act of reverence, humility, and recognition of sacred space. However, this command also has a deeper philosophical and spiritual significance: it represents stripping away one’s identity before the divine.
1. Sandals as Symbols of Worldly Identity
• Sandals are practical tools for traversing the earth, protecting one’s feet as they walk through the dust and grime of daily life. They symbolize the physical, earthly identity—our status, possessions, and attachments.
• By removing his sandals, Moses sets aside these external trappings, presenting himself as barefoot, vulnerable, and exposed before God.
2. Shedding the Ego
• Moses’ act of going barefoot signifies shedding the ego, pride, and any claim to personal identity or status. Standing barefoot before the divine reflects the idea of returning to an essential state—a recognition that in the presence of the infinite, the finite self must be laid bare.
3. Sacred Ground and Transformation
• By acknowledging the holiness of the ground, Moses enters a sacred space where identity is transcended. This encounter marks the beginning of Moses’ transformation:
• From a shepherd tending flocks in obscurity to a leader of a nation.
• From a man burdened by a complicated past to a prophet stripped of fear, surrendering to a higher purpose.
• Stripping off the sandals symbolizes a return to essence, where Moses’ worldly identity dissolves, and he accepts his divine calling.
4. Alignment with the Divine Will
• Standing barefoot suggests complete surrender and openness to divine instruction. Moses cannot rely on the coverings (sandals) of the past; he must walk forward as a new man, unencumbered and attuned to a higher will.
Broader Context of Identity Stripping
This theme resonates across other traditions and philosophies:
• In asceticism and mysticism, shedding material possessions (like sandals) symbolizes renunciation of the world to embrace spiritual truth.
• In Zen Buddhism, the stripping away of external identity helps one connect with their truest, formless essence.
• In Stoicism, identity rooted in externals (status, possessions, ego) must be relinquished to live according to nature and virtue.
In Moses’ case, removing his sandals signifies:
• A purification of self, where he leaves behind his former life as an exiled shepherd.
• A moment of rebirth, where his new identity emerges solely from his connection to the divine.
Conclusion
Moses barefoot at the burning bush symbolizes the stripping away of identity to approach the divine in purity and humility. By shedding his sandals—symbols of earthly attachment—Moses embodies vulnerability and openness, preparing to receive his sacred mission. This act teaches that to encounter the transcendent, one must let go of the false self, allowing the true self to align with higher purpose.