revelation, for after the Torah had been bestowed, He withdrew
again to heaven. In the future world, Sinai will return to its original
place, Mount Moriah, when "the mountain of the Lord's house
shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be
exalted above the hills." [186]

Just as Sinai was chosen as the spot for the revelation owing to its
humility, so likewise was Moses. When God said to Moses, "Go,
deliver Israel," he in his great humility, said: "Who am I that I
should go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?
There are nobler and wealthier than I." But God replied: "Thou are
a great man, thee have I chosen out of all Israel. Of thee shall the
prophet of the future say, 'I have laid help upon one that is mighty;
I have exalted on chosen out of the people.'" Moses in his humility,
however, still stood apart and would not accept the office offered
him, until God said to him "Why dost thou stand apart? If they are
not to be delivered by thee, by none other will they be delivered."
When, likewise, at God's command Moses had erected the
Tabernacle, he did not enter it, out of great humility, until God
said to him, "Why dost thou stand outside? Thou are worthy to
serve Me." [187]

THE TORAH OFFERED TO ISRAEL

On the second day of the third month, Moses received word form
God to betake himself to Mount Sinai, for without this direct
summons he would not have gone there. This time, as at all times,
when God desired to speak with Moses, He twice called him by
name, and after he had answered, "Here I am," God's revelation to
him followed. [188] When Moses had been carried to God in a