“Take Aaron, and his sons with him, and the vestments, and the anointing oil, and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread” (Leviticus 8:2). “Take Aaron, and his sons with him….” That is what the verse said: “You love righteousness and detest wickedness…” (Psalms 45:8). Rabbi Yudan interpreted the verse regarding Abraham our patriarch.
When he asked for mercy on the people of Sodom, he said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, You took an oath that you will not bring a flood to the world.’ That is what is written: “For, this is for Me like the waters of Noah, [as I took an oath that the waters of Noah would no longer pass over the earth]” (Isaiah 54:9). ‘A flood of water You will not bring, but a flood of fire You will bring? Are You going to employ artifice regarding the oath?
If so, You have not fulfilled Your oath.’ That is what is written: “Far be it from You to perform a matter like this” (Genesis 18:25). He said before Him: ‘“Far be it from You; shall the Judge of all the earth not execute justice?” (Genesis 18:25). If it is justice You seek, there will be no world.
If it is the world that You seek, there can be no justice. You seek to hold the rope at both ends; You seek the world and You seek true justice. If You do not concede somewhat, Your world will be unable to exist.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to Abraham: ‘“You love righteousness and detest wickedness” – you love to vindicate My creations and you detest condemning them.
“Therefore, God your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy over your counterparts”’ (Psalms 45:8). What is “over your counterparts”? He said to him: ‘As you live, in the ten generations from Noah until you, I did not speak with any of them, but with you I speak,’ as it is stated: “The Lord said to Abram: You, go” (Genesis 12:1).