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The Torah relates that Moshe donned a מסוה to hid the luminescence of his face, when addressing the community. What was the nature/appearance of this "masveh"?

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Excerpts from http://www.lss.org/learning.php?pg=Divrei_Torah&articleId=268 :

  • etymology favors “veil.” The root of masveh means clothing or covering, as in Yaakov’s blessing of Yehudah, “He will launder his garments in wine and his robe (sutoh) in the blood of grapes” (Gen. 49:11). The same root appears in “Sivan,” the month when vegetation covers the ground (according to the Hirsch/Clark dictionary). In short, the masveh simply covers the face and does not reimagine or recast it.
  • Saadia explains that the masveh was intended to make disputants less afraid to approach Moshe for assistance.
  • Ibn Ezra, emphasizing guidance rather than fear, observed that Moshe did not wear the masveh when teaching. Moshe wanted the people to see the radiance only when he spoke words of Torah.
  • Daat Mikra says that Moshe covered his face out of modesty. Moshe was not comfortable showing publicly that the radiance of the shechinah (or Divine Presence) was upon him.
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The question seems to be asking what exactly the veil was, not the reasons for wearing it. – user1292 Mar 12 '12 at 21:18
So according to Saadya Gaon they were blinded by the light. "Revved-up-by-k'dusha Moshe! Run away!", in fright. – msh210♦ Mar 13 '12 at 6:34
@mochin that is the thrust, but they are related; the function informs the form. – yitznewton Mar 13 '12 at 10:07

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