Well, the Malachim (angels) took one look at Moshe
and complained to Hashem in disgust. "What's the mere
mortal doing up here in Shamayim (heaven)?"
"He has come to receive the Torah," was Hashem's
reply.
This opened up a major debate between Moshe and the Malachim,
who weren't completely convinced that this precious gift belonged
in the hands of man. Hashem commanded Moshe to answer
these celestial beings, but (talk about needing a cool minty
mouth freshener) Moshe was afraid that these fiery beings would
scorch him with their breath. Easily fixed, Hashem
allowed Moshe to cling to the Kisei Hakovod. That put
the punch back into the limp leader.
Moshe started out with a few simple pot shots like this double-decker
pop:
"It says in the Torah 'I am Hashem, your
G-D who brought you out of Mitzrayim from the house
of bondage.' Were you in Mitzrayim? Were you a slave
to Pharoh?" And how about "'You shall have no other gods'. Do
you live surrounded by idolotrous nations?"
From here on in it was rapid-fire rhetorical give and take:
"'Remember the Shabbat' - do you Malachim
need a day of rest?"
"'You shall not say Hashem's name in vain' - do you
make business deals that require swearing?"
"'Honor your father and mother' - Do you have parents?"
"'You shall not murder' - Do you have gun-slingers in Shamayim?"
