“The Lord called to him from the mountain, saying” – due to the merit of the mountain. The mountain is nothing other than the patriarchs, as it is stated: “Listen, mountains, to the Lord’s quarrel” (Micah 6:2). “Moses ascended to God” – he ascended in a cloud, and the merit of the patriarchs ascended and descended with him. “So you shall say to the house of Jacob” – these are the women.
He said to him: ‘Say to them the major principles, which they are capable of understanding.’ “And tell to the children of Israel” – these are the men. He said to him: ‘Say to them the fine points, which they are capable of understanding.’ Another matter: Why to the women first?
Because they have alacrity regarding mitzvot. Alternatively, so they will guide their children to Torah. Rabbi Taḥlifa of Caesarea said: The Holy One blessed be He said: When I created the world, I commanded only Adam the first man, and thereafter Eve was commanded and she corrupted the world. Now, if I do not summon the women first, they will nullify the Torah.
That is why it is stated: “So you shall say to the house of Jacob.” Rabbi Yoḥanan said: “So you shall say to the house of Jacob” – these are the Sanhedrin, as it is stated: “House of Jacob, come, let us walk by the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5). “God spoke all these matters, saying” (Exodus 20:1). “God spoke all these matters, saying” – the Holy One blessed be He conducted Himself vis-à-vis Israel with protocols of royalty, as it is stated: “With me, from Lebanon, my bride” (Song of Songs 4:8).6It is not obvious how this verse pertains to the previous statement.
See Rabbi David Luria; Etz Yosef). Why was it so? Due to the merit of their saying: “[All that the Lord has spoken] we will perform and we will heed” (Exodus 24:7).