Israel Stood Pressed Beneath the Uprooted Mountain

"And Moses brought out the people" (Exodus 19:17). Rabbi Yose said: Rabbi Yehudah used to expound "The LORD came from Sinai" (Deuteronomy 33:2). Do not read it so, but rather, "The LORD came to Sinai to give the Torah to Israel." Or does it not mean this, but rather "The LORD came from Sinai" to receive Israel like a bridegroom going out toward the bride. "And they stationed themselves" [pressed close together]: this teaches that they were afraid because of the shooting flames, the tremors, the thunder, and the lightning. "At the foot of the mountain": this teaches that the mountain was uprooted from its place, and they drew near and stood beneath Mount Sinai, as it is said, "And you drew near and stood beneath the mountain" (Deuteronomy 4:11). Concerning them it is said in the tradition, "My dove in the clefts of the rock" and so forth, "Show me your appearance": these are the twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel; "Let me hear your voice": these are the Ten Commandments; "For your voice is sweet and your appearance comely": this is after the Ten Commandments (Song of Songs 2:14). "And all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD" (Leviticus 9:5). Rabbi Eleazar says: this matter was spoken concerning the Sea of Reeds. "Show me your appearance": "Stand firm and see the salvation of the LORD" (Exodus 14:13); "Let me hear your voice": "And the children of Israel cried out to the LORD" (Exodus 14:10); "For your voice is sweet": "And their cry went up" (Exodus 2:23); "And your appearance comely": "And he did the signs before the eyes of the people, and the people believed" (Exodus 4:30-31).