Rabbi Akiva interpreted the verse regarding Israel when they stood before Mount Sinai. “My dove, in the clefts of the rock,” as they were shadowed in the recesses of Sinai. “Show me,” as it is stated: “The entire people saw the thunder” (Exodus 20:15). “Let me hear your voice,” this is the sound before the commandments, as it is stated: “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will perform and we will heed” (Exodus 24:7).
“For your voice is pleasant,” this is the sound after the commandments, as it is stated: “The Lord heard the sound of your words, when you spoke to me…they did well in all that they spoke” (Deuteronomy 5:25). What is “they did well [heitivu] in all that they spoke”? Ḥiyya bar Ada and bar Kappara, one said it was well done like the removal [hatava] of ashes from the lamps of the candelabrum,128This process, referred to as hatava (see Exodus 30:7), is performed after the flames are extinguished, a reference to what Israel said after the commandments. and one said it was well done like the preparation [hatava] of the incense.129This is performed before the incense is burned, a reference to what Israel said before the commandments.
“And your appearance is lovely,” as it is stated: “The people saw and they trembled, and they stood at a distance” (Exodus 20:15).