וּנְקַלֹּ֤תִי עוֹד֙ מִזֹּ֔את וְהָיִ֥יתִי שָׁפָ֖ל בְּעֵינָ֑י וְעִם־הָֽאֲמָהוֹת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֔רְתְּ עִמָּ֖ם אִכָּבֵֽדָה׃
Und hätte ich mich auch noch geringer gezeigt als so, dass ich noch niedriger wäre in meinen Augen, doch bei den Mägden, von denen du sprichst, bei ihnen würde ich mich verherrlichen sie würden anerkennen, dass ich dies nur zu Ehren Gottes getan habe).
Ohr Ne'erav
If the spirit which rules all fails and they prophesy, my words will be fulfilled on those who rise against me (Ps. 92:12). Is Saul also among the prophets? (I Sam. 10:11). This you will answer, And who is their father? (I Sam. 10:12). These things go after the intention of the heart. I, in my innocence (Ps. 26:1), plead before my judges: Let him judge all the words of this epistle leniently in its quantity and quality. If my soul does not speak from worry (Josh. 22:24), consider me as one who mentions and reminds the enlightened ones of my bountiful nation (Song 6:12). “Dear is man, who was created in [God’s] image” (Avot 3:15). Speaking as a righteous company (Ps. 58:2), He will judge righteousness. For my heart is not haughty (Ps. 131:1), all my senses are in me (Job 20:2), and my eyes are not haughty (Ps. 131:1) before the God of Sinai (Ps, 68:9). I have not walked in greatness or wonders (Ps. 131:1) with the King, the Lord of Hosts (Isa. 6:5). For the maidservant has seen7The reference is to the midrash which states that a maidservant at the parting of the Red Sea saw more than the prophet Ezekiel in his visions. Cf. Mekhilta, Shirta 3. and is more righteous than I (Gen. 38:26). I am lighter [in consequence] than she is (II Sam. 6:22). I am lower than the earth (Isa. 29:4). I speak in honor of our God, who dwells in Zion (Josh. 4:21). And He, being merciful, will forgive [my] sin (Ps. 78:38).