The Rav noted that this explains the significant role the Jewish people played throughout history, despite our relatively tiny population. The world barely pays attention when two obscure nations go to war. India, Kashmir and Pakistan, Russia and the satellite countries were all major issues in 1956. However where Israel and Jews are involved, they become the dominant issue and the others are relegated to second story status. One could take the Rav’s description of world events from some 60 years ago, update them to use today’s date and the news would be exactly the same. Moshe’s second tefillah successfully restored the covenant with Hashem and reestablished the Jewish People’s unique historical status. Our significance has always been a reflection of our quality, am ha’nivchar, not our quantity.
If Moshe received the second set of Luchos, why did he again pray for 40 days and nights during the third visit to Mount Sinai? Moshe recognized that similar situations will occur in future generations when Jews will violate the covenant. Who will call them to repent, as Moshe had? Hashem answered him with the promise of the 13 attributes that begin with the repetition of Hashem’s name. Chazal say this refers to Hashem before and after the sin. Hashem promised to provide that inner voice to the Jew, constantly prodding him to return to Hashem, to live a holy existence. Hashem promised that He will accept the Jew and erase the blemish after he sins as long as he repents. When a politician violates the public trust he resigns his post. He may express remorse, but the community is not required to maintain him in his position. A felony conviction remains on record after the convict pays his debt to society. Our covenant with Hashem says that no matter how far we may stray, we can always return to Hashem and reset our relationship. When thousands sinned by attending the parties of Achashveirosh, it was the barely audible sound of Hashem prodding them to return that saved the day. A kohen gadol who sins and commits even a major transgression punishable with lashes returns to his status after he repents.
Hashem promised to be both father and mother to the Jewish People. Both love the child, however the difference between them is that a father will play with the child as long he is clean. As soon as the child soils himself he will return the child to the mother. After the mother cleans the child, the father will take the child again. If Hashem acted only as father, teshuvah would not be possible. It is the maternal aspect of Hashem that allows us to return completely despite all our defilements and imperfections. The formula for teshuvah, the core of the month of Elul, was the result of Moshe’s third prayer.