Why did Moses put a veil over his face?

Moses put a veil over his face after speaking with the Israelites to prevent them from being overwhelmed by the radiance reflecting God's glory (Exodus 34:33). This action served both a protective and symbolic purpose, showing that while there was a glorious aspect to the law, it was not the fullness of revelation found in the Gospel. Paul articulates this in 2 Corinthians 3, where he contrasts the fading glory of Moses with the enduring glory of the new covenant in Christ, thus indicating a need for a veil as a reminder of the limitations of the law compared to the clearer revelation of grace.