Another matter: “Remember Abraham, [Isaac, and Israel]” – why did he mention three patriarchs? Rabbi Levi said: Moses said: ‘Master of the universe, will the dead live?’ He said to him: ‘Moses, have you become a heretic?’8Belief in the future resurrection of the dead is a cardinal tenet of the Jewish faith (see Sanhedrin 90a). Moses said to Him: ‘If the dead will not live in the future, it is appropriate that You do to them anything that you wish.
However, if the dead will live, what will You say to the patriarchs in the future when they arise and ask You about the promise that You made to them? What will You be able to answer them? Did You not promise them that You would increase their children like the stars of the heavens, and now You seek to eliminate them?’ That is, “remember Abraham, [Isaac, and Israel].”