Why the Torah Was Given in Threes in the Third Month

Midrash Aggadah, Exodus 19:1

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"In the third month." Everything was threefold. The Torah is threefold: Torah, Prophets, and Writings. The Mishnah is threefold: halakhot, midrash, and aggadot. The intermediary was threefold: Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Three times one prays: evening, morning, and noon. Three times they say, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts." Israel, who received the Torah, are threefold: Kohanim, Levites, and Israelites. The patriarchs are threefold: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The days are threefold, as it is said, "Be ready for three days" (verse 15). The months are threefold, as it is said, "in the third month." Another interpretation: "In the third month." This is Sivan, which is the third of the months, and the Torah was given to Israel by means of a third one. "On this day they came to the wilderness of Sinai." Let the covenant be cut in your eyes as if on this very day you received the Torah. And this is what is said, "Not with our fathers did the LORD cut this covenant" (Deuteronomy 5:3).

Themes

TorahWisdomPriesthoodTribesAdam Eve

Biblical References

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