The 12th of Tishrei is the yahrtzeit (anniversary of the passing) of Rabbi Abraham (1740-1776) the son of Rabbi DovBer of Mezeritch and study partner of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi; known as "Rabbi Abraham the Angel" for his saintliness and ascetism.
“And now, if You will forgive their sin, and if not, obliterate me from Your book that you have written.” (Exodus 32:32)
Moses’ plea can be read two ways. The simple reading is to add a single word: “If you will forgive their sin, good, and if not..”
But you can also read it as it is written:
Whether you forgive them or not, obliterate me.
Why? Why would Moses demand not only his physical death, but utter, eternal, spiritual obliteration? Moses, of all people, who certainly was fully cognizant of what this meant!
Certainly it was out of his love for his people. Because G‑d had told him, “Let me destroy them and I will make you into a great nation.”
At this, Moses shuddered with his entire being.
If not for him, G‑d could not destroy the Jewish people. After all, G‑d had promised their forefathers that their descendants would become a great nation.
If so, it was his existence that made possible the destruction of his own people.
Repulsed and horrified, Moses exclaimed, “Such a creature I cannot be! Please! Obliterate me as though I never was!” This is a Jewish leader. There cannot be anything of him that is not love for his people.