http://www.torah.org/learning/hamaayan/5770/yisro.html?print=1"In the third month from the Exodus of Bnei Yisrael from Egypt, on this day, they arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai." (19:1)The Gemara (Shabbat 88a) relates that a scholar taught the following in the yeshiva of Rav Chisda: "Blessed is the Merciful One who gave the three part Torah on the third day through the third one to the three part nation in the third month."
R' Eliyahu Capsali z"l (Crete; 1490-1555) explains: Rashi z"l writes that "The three part Torah" refers to (1) Torah, (2) Nevi'im and (3) Ketuvim. Although Nevi'im and Ketuvim were not given then, they are alluded to in the Torah, R' Capsali writes. Alternatively, this alludes to the three types of mitzvot found in the Torah: (1) mitzvot that we would never have thought of without a commandment, though they make sense to us (e.g., Shabbat; tefilin), (2) mitzvot that we could have discovered on our own (e.g., honoring parents; not murdering), and (3) chukim / decrees (e.g., kashrut; sha'atnez). Or, it refers to the three types of material found in the Torah: (1) stories, (2) laws, and (3) kabbalistic secrets.
"On the third day" refers to the three days of separation (see Shmot 19:11).
"Through the third one" refers, according to Rashi, to Moshe Rabbeinu, who was the third child of his mother. Alternatively, R' Capsali writes, Moshe's prophecy was the third type of prophecy that existed in the world. To Moshe, Hashem spoke "face-to-face" (see Bemidbar 12:8) using the Ineffable Name (see Shmot 6:2). To the Patriarchs, Hashem revealed Himself only with other names (see Shmot 6:3). And, to Adam and Noach, Hashem spoke, but He did not reveal Himself.
"To the three part nation" refers to Kohanim, Levi'im, and Yisraelim.
"In the third month," as stated in our verse. (Me'ah She'arim ch.3)
Topic: Good things come in threes (Read 1435 times)