He would only reveal Himself once more! O that once more He
would kiss us with the kisses of His mouth! O that understanding
of the Torah might remain firm in our hearts as before!" Moses
answered: "It is no longer possible now, but it will come to pass in
the future world, when He will put His law in their inward parts,
and write it in their hearts."

Israel had another reason for regretting the choice of an
intermediator between themselves and God. When they heard the
second commandment: "Thou shalt have no strange gods beside
Me," the evil impulse was torn out from their hearts. But as soon
as they requested Moses to intercede for them, the evil impulse set
in once more in its old place. In vain, however, did they plead with
Moses to restore the former direct communication between them
and God, so that the evil impulse might be taken from them. For he
said: "It is no longer possible now, but in the future world He will
'take out of your flesh the stony heart.'" [243]

Although Israel had now heard only the first two commandments
directly from God, still the Divine apparition had and enormous
influence upon this generation. Never in the course of their lives
was any physical impurity heard of among them, nor did any
vermin succeed in infesting their bodies, and when they died, their
corpses remained free from worms and insects. [244]

MOSES AND THE ANGELS STRIVE FOR THE TORAH

The day on which God revealed Himself on Mount Sinai was twice
as long as ordinary days. For on that day the sun did not set, a
miracle that was four times more repeated for Moses' sake. [245]