Moses Awakens the Patriarchs to Reverse the Golden Calf Decree

"Turn from Your fierce wrath." Since he had multiplied supplications and was not answered, immediately Moses said: Master of the universe, You do not accept my prayer. Immediately he turned his face toward the cave of the patriarchs, and said: Master of the universe, remember those to whom You swore by Yourself. You did not swear to them by the heavens and by the earth, which pass away, as it is said, "For the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment" (Isaiah 51:6); and You did not swear to them by the sun and the moon, which pass away, as it is said, "Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed" (Isaiah 24:23); You did not swear to them by the mountains and by the hills, which pass away, as it is said, "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed" (Isaiah 54:10); and You did not swear to them by the sea, for in the end it is to be dried up, as it is said, "And the sea shall be utterly dried up." Rather, You swore only by Your great and holy Name, which does not change and is not exchanged, that You would multiply their seed like the stars of the heavens. And now, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, awake from your slumber and behold your children! Immediately, "And the LORD relented of the evil which He had said He would do to His people" (Exodus 32:14).