Israel did not receive the Torah until they had performed these
three ceremonies. They had already undergone circumcision in
Egypt. Baptism was imposed upon them two days before the
revelation on Mount Sinai. On the day preceding the revelation
Moses recorded in a book the covenant between Israel and their
God, and on the morning of the day of the revelation, sacrifices
were offered as a strengthening of the covenant. [192]

As there were no priests at that time, the service was performed by
the elders of Israel, who in spite of their age performed their duty
with youthful vigor. [193] Moses erected an altar on Mount Sinai,
as well as twelve memorial pillars, one for each tribe, and then
bade them bring bulls, as a burnt offering and a peace offering.
[194] The blood of these animals was then separated exactly into
two halves. This was attended to by the angel Michael, who guided
Moses' hand, and so conducted the separation of the blood that
there might be not a drop more in one half than in the other. God
upon this said to Moses: "Sprinkle the one half of the blood upon
the people, as a token that they will not barter My glory for the
idols of other peoples; and sprinkle the other half on the altar, as a
token that I will not exchange them for any other nation." Moses
did as he was bidden, and lo! the miracle came to pass that the
blood of a few animals sufficed to sprinkle every single Israelite.

Before this covenant between God and Israel had been made,
Moses read aloud to the people all of the Torah, that they might
know exactly what they were taking upon themselves. This
covenant was made a second time in the desert of Moab by Moses,
and a third time by Joshua after the entrance into the promised
land, on the mountains of Gerizim and Ebal. [195]