(Gen. 1:1:) IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED. This text is related (to Ps. 18:36 = II Sam. 22:36): AND YOU GAVE ME YOUR SHIELD OF YOUR SALVATION. The words speak of Israel. What is written?
HE IS A SHIELD FOR ALL WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM. AND YOUR RIGHT HAND SUSTAINS ME. This is Torah according to what is stated (in Deut. 33:2): AT HIS RIGHT HAND IS A FIERY LAW. AND YOUR HUMILITY HAS MAGNIFIED ME.
Now is anyone more humble than the Holy One? R. Abba bar Aha said: The student sits before his master. When he is finished, the student says to the master: How I have tired you! But Israel was learning from the Holy One.
When they are departing, he says to them: How I have tired you! It is so stated (in Deut. 1:6): THE LORD OUR GOD SPOKE TO US IN HOREB, SAYING: YOU HAVE SAT LONG ENOUGH AT THIS MOUNTAIN.