Another matter: “Remember Abraham” – Rabbi Zevida said that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Moses said: ‘Master of the universe, were the patriarchs of the world righteous or wicked? Distinguish between these and those; if they were wicked, it is appropriate that You are doing so to their children.9Treat them in accordance with the status of their ancestors. If their ancestors were wicked, it is appropriate for You to destroy them.
Why? Because their ancestors did not have worthy actions before You. But if they were righteous, give them the actions of their ancestors.’ That is, “remember Abraham.”
Rabbi Shmuel said: Moses said to Him: ‘Master of the universe, grant me permission to speak.’ The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Say anything that you wish.’ He said: ‘They violated the beginning of the statement: “You shall not have [other gods before Me]” (Exodus 20:3); they transgressed it by crafting the calf. But You seek to violate its end, as it is stated: “Who performs kindness for thousands for those who love Me” (Exodus 20:6).
And it is written: “The offspring of Abraham, who loves Me” (Isaiah 41:8). You said to Abraham: I will maintain kindness for your children up to two thousand generations, as it is stated: “Who performs kindness for thousands.” How many generations [have passed] from Abraham until now? Seven: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Levi, Kehat, Amram, Moses.
If You do not perform kindness for seven, how will You perform kindness for two thousand?’ That is, they violated the beginning of the statement, but You seek to violate its end. The Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘Are you not a descendant of their children? I will kill these, and I will render you more numerous than they are, and My oath will be thereby fulfilled.’
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Moses said: ‘Master of the universe, which document is better substantiated, one that is signed by three or one that is signed by one? You must say: One that is signed by three. Which ruling is better substantiated, one adjudicated by three or by one? You must say: The one that is adjudicated by three.
Which testimony is more credible, the testimony of one or the testimony of three? You must say: The testimony of three.’ So too, Moses said: ‘Master of the universe, if You do not fulfill the matter regarding which You took an oath to three, but You seek to void it, how will you fulfill an oath to one? Just as You became angry at their children and You seek to kill them, so it will be with my children.
Moreover, just as You took an oath to the patriarchs, and You established a covenant with them, as it is stated: “I will remember My covenant with Jacob, [and also My covenant with Isaac, and also My covenant with Abraham I will remember]” (Leviticus 26:42), so did You take an oath to the tribes, and You established a covenant with them.’ From where is it derived that the Holy One blessed be He took an oath to the tribes?
As it is stated: “The oaths said to the tribes, Selah” (Habakkuk 3:9). From where is it derived that the Holy One blessed be He established a covenant with them? As it is stated: “I will remember for them the covenant with the ancients” (Leviticus 26:45) – this is the covenant of the tribes. ‘According to Your words, You will raise [a nation] only from the tribe of Levi, as I am from his tribe. What do You have to say to the tribe of Reuben and to the other tribes?’
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: At that moment, He was unable to respond to him. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘You have spoken well.’ Immediately, “the Lord reconsidered [the evil that He had spoken of doing to His people]” (Exodus 32:14). God said to him: ‘I have reconsidered regarding My earlier pronouncements.’