Gratia non tollit naturam

"What is the meaning of the double proclamation of  'My father, my father'? Furthermore, why refer to Elijah as a parental figure? Elisha was implying that to him, Elijah filled the dual parental role. The Zohar comments on the concepts of Musar Avikha and Torat Imekha (Proverbs 1:8), that 'father’s instruction' represents the Written Law, while 'mother’s Torah' symbolizes the Oral Law. However, 'Written Law' (Torah she-bikhtav) is not be taken literally in the sense of the actual written text, but rather as that which can be reduced to writing. Torah she-ba’al Peh, however, must be absorbed through experience, not through a written record. Both the code of Sinai and the fire of Sinai must be transmitted. Fire serves three functions: to illuminate, to heat, and to consume. But the fire of Sinai only contained the first two characteristics: A child must understand that the fire of Sinai, like that at the burning bush, never consumes. It is the role of a father to transmit this voice of Sinai. On the other hand, according to tradition, God addressed the women first (Rashi to Exodus 19:3). While a father instructs halakhot and rebukes the wayward child, it is the motherly figure who serves to inspire. This is Torat Imekha which took precedent at Sinaiָ, corresponds to the oral Law, and cannot be written down."

     Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik, as quoted (?) here, underscoring mine.  I was put onto this by his grandson, Rabbi Meier Soloveichik, in this tribute to Robert P. George.