Death And Rebirth At Mount Sinai

And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: With each and every utterance that went forth from the mouth of the Holy One, blessed be He, the souls of Israel departed, as it is said (Song of Songs 5:6), "My soul went out when He spoke." But since at the first utterance their souls departed, how did they receive the second utterance? He brought down the dew with which He is destined to revive the dead, and He revived them, as it is said (Psalms 68:10), "You poured down generous rain, O God; when Your inheritance was weary, You sustained it." And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: With each and every utterance that went forth from the mouth of the Holy One, blessed be He, Israel retreated backward twelve mil, and the ministering angels would lead them back.