Why Israel Became God's People at the Giving of the Ten Commandments

"I am the LORD" (Exodus 20:2). This is what the verse says: "Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against you" (Psalms 50:7). Rabbi Pinchas the priest bar Chama said: "Hear, O My people, and I will speak" — that I may have an opening of the mouth against the nations of the world. Rabbi Yehudah ha-Levi bar Rabbi Shalom said: In the past your names were like the names of the nations of the world — Saba and Havilah — but when you received the Torah your name is Israel, as it is said, "Hear, O My people, and I will speak [O Israel, and I will testify against you]." One speaks only to one who listens. "God, your God, am I" (Psalms there). I am God, I am judge, I am patron, I endure over you. Rabbi Shimon says: I am your God, I am your patron — just as the patron is of use beside the judge. "God, your God, am I." Rabbi Pinchas the priest bar Chama said: To whom does He speak? To Moses. Not because I called you "god," as it is said, "See, I have made you a god to Pharaoh" (Exodus 7:1), but "your God am I." What is "Anokhi (I)"? Our rabbis said it is a matter of notarikon: "Ana nafshi ketavit yehavit" — I Myself wrote and gave. Rabbi Berekhiah the priest said: "Ana nehorakh kelilakh ye'utakh" — I am your light, your crown, your splendor. When? When you receive the Ten Commandments.