Waiting Three Months Like a Convert Before Receiving Torah

Why in the third month, and not in the second month, and not in the fourth? Rabbi Hoshaya said: Rabbi Hiyya the Great taught me — a female convert, a captive woman, and a freed bondwoman may not marry nor become betrothed until three months [have passed]. So too Israel: they are called converts, as it says, "For you were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Leviticus 19:34). They are called captives, as it says, "and they shall take captive those who took them captive" (Isaiah 14:2). They are called freed slaves, as it says, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt from being their slaves" (Leviticus 26:13). The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Let us wait for them three months, and afterward I will give them the Torah — "In the third month" (Exodus 19:1).