At the giving of the Law the Israelites stood at the lower part of the mount (Exod. xix. 17). Rabbi Avidmi says, “these words teach us that the Holy One, blessed be He, turned the mountain over them like a tub, and said to them, ‘If ye will receive the Law, well; but if not, there shall be your grave.’ ” Rabbi Joshua says, “As each commandment proceeded from the mouth of the Holy One, Israel retreated twelve miles, and the ministering angels led them back, as it is said, ‘The angels of the host did flee apace’(6) (Ps. lxviii. 13). Do not read ‘they fled’ but ‘they led.’ ” Rabbi Eliezer, the Modite, says, that Jethro “heard the giving of the Law; for when the Law was given to Israel His voice went from one end of the world to the other, and all the nations of the world were seized with trembling in their temples, and they repeated a hymn, as it is said, ‘In His temple doth everyone speak of His glory’ ” (Ps. xxix. 9). The question is asked, “Why are the Gentiles defiled?” “Because they did not stand on Mount Sinai, for in the hour the serpent came to Eve he communicated defilement, which was removed from Israel when they stood on Mount Sinai.” Rav Acha, the son of Rabbi, said to Rav Ashai, “How then is it with proselytes?” He answered, “Although they went not there, their lucky star was there, as it is written, ‘With _him_ that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God, and also with _him_ that _is_ not here with us this day’ ” (Deut. xxix. 15). In the hour that Moses ascended up on high the ministering angels said before God, “O Lord of the world, what business has he that is born of woman amongst us?” He answered, “He is come to receive the Law.” They replied, “This desirable treasure, which has been treasured up from the six days of creation, six hundred and seventy-four generations before the world was created, dost Thou now wish to give it to flesh and blood? what is man that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that Thou visitest him? O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth, Who hast set Thy glory above the heavens.” The Holy One said to Moses, “Return them an answer.” He said, “O Lord of the world, I fear, lest they burn me with the breath of their mouth.” God said, “Lay hold on the throne of my glory, and return them an answer; for it is said, ‘He that holdeth the face of His throne, He spreadeth His cloud over him’ ” (Job xxvi. 9). Rabbi Nahum says, “This means that the Almighty spread some of the glory of the Shechinah and His cloud over him.” He then said, “Lord of the world, what is written in the Law that Thou art about to give me?” “I am the Lord thy God, that brought thee out of Egypt.” He then said, “Did ye (angels) ever go down into Egypt and serve Pharaoh? why then should ye have the Law?” Again, “What is written therein?” “Thou shalt have none other God.” He then asked them, “Do ye then dwell among the uncircumcised,