[Hashem] said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Avraham, the God of Yitzchak and the God of Yaakov” (3:6)
The Rambam in Hilchos Melachim details the introduction of selected mitzvos of the Torah through certain individuals prior to the giving of the Torah at Sinai, as follows:
- Avraham was commanded with the mitzvah of milah.
- Yitzchak separated maasros (tithes).
- Yaakov was commended with gid hanasheh.
The Rambam then adds, “And in Egypt, Amram was commanded with additional mitzvos, until Moshe Rabbeinu came and [the transmission of] the Torah was completed through him.”
Many commentators wonder what the Rambam’s source is for the idea that Amram was also commanded with mitzvos. The Meshech Chochmah explains that our verse would seem to provide a basis for the Rambam’s words, for Hashem groups Amram (“I am the God of your father”) together with the Avos (“the God of Avraham etc.”). This inclusion indicates that he shared their distinct status, i.e. of introducing Mitzvos into the world prior to the giving of the Torah.
1 9:1.
