Another matter: “Remember Abraham” – what did he see that led him to mention three patriarchs? Rabbi Aloni ben Tabari said in the name of Rabbi Yitzḥak: When they performed that act five angels of destruction, [namely] wrath, fury, anger, destruction, and annihilation, came to eliminate them, as it is written: “For I was in dread due to the wrath and the fury, [that the Lord was angry with you to destroy you]” (Deuteronomy 9:19).
Moses said: ‘Master of the universe, You overcome one, and I one. You will overcome wrath, as it is stated: “Arise, Lord, in Your wrath” (Psalms 7:7). And I, fury, as it is stated: “To turn back His fury from annihilating” (Psalms 106:23).’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘If I overcome one and you [overcome] one, what will you do with the three?’ Moses said: ‘The three patriarchs will overcome those three.’ That is why he mentioned them.