The First Word at Sinai Shakes Creation and Revives the Dead

"And Moses went down to the people and said to them" (Exodus 19:25). This teaches that he did not go into his house and did not turn aside to any other matters. I have only the words spoken at Mount Sinai, that he did not go into his house and did not turn to other matters; from where do I learn the same of the words of the Tent of Meeting, that he did not go into his house and did not turn to other matters? Scripture teaches, "and he went out and spoke to the children of Israel what he was commanded" (Exodus 34:34). When Moses went down to call Aaron, the Holy One, blessed be He, sounded forth His voice, so that Israel should not say that the voice came from the firmament. The first voice went out, and the heavens and the earth quaked, and the mountains and hills tottered, and the seas and rivers fled, and all the trees bowed down. The dead among Israel came to life and stood upon their feet, and Israel recoiled and drew back twelve mil, and their souls flew out. In that voice they heard "I am" and "You shall not have," and so it says, "God has spoken once; twice have I heard this" (Psalms 62:12). At that moment they said to Moses, "Draw near, you, and hear all that the LORD our God will say, and you shall speak to us" (Deuteronomy 5:24). And the Holy One, blessed be He, heard their voice and it was pleasing before Him. He sent for Michael and for Gabriel, and they seized the two hands of Moses against his will and brought him near to the thick darkness, as it says, "and Moses drew near to the thick darkness" (Exodus 20:21). It is not written here "he approached" but "he was brought near," against his will. And He caused the rest of the commandments to be heard by Israel. Of him it is said, "Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he restores the soul of his masters" (Proverbs 25:13).