RAV KOOK ON Yitro/Shavuot Part 3: Coercion at Sinai

The Torah describes the remarkable events that preceded the Torah’s revelation at Mount Sinai: “Moses led the people out of the camp toward God and they stood at the bottom of the mountain.” (Ex. 19:17) The Midrash interprets the phrase “bottom of the mountain” quite literally: the people were standing, not at the foot of the mountain, but underneath it. “The Holy One held the mountain over them like a bucket and warned them: If you accept the Torah — good. And if not — here you will be buried.” (Shabbat 88a) Would it not have been preferable for the Jewish people to accept the Torah willingly? Why does the Midrash teach that they were forced to accept it?