Midrasch zu Schemot 22:22
אִם־עַנֵּ֥ה תְעַנֶּ֖ה אֹת֑וֹ כִּ֣י אִם־צָעֹ֤ק יִצְעַק֙ אֵלַ֔י שָׁמֹ֥עַ אֶשְׁמַ֖ע צַעֲקָתֽוֹ׃
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Ruth Rabbah
“I went full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has afflicted [ana] me, and the Almighty has harmed me” (Ruth 1:21).
“I went full, and the Lord brought me back empty” – I went full with sons, and full with daughters. Alternatively: “I went full,” as I was pregnant. “Why call me Naomi, and the Lord has afflicted [ana] me” – the attribute of justice afflicted me;142The word ana is in an unusual form. If read ina, it means afflicted. If read ana, it could mean to speak against or to testify against. The midrash suggests a variety of readings. that is what you say: “If you afflict him [aneh te’aneh] [then when he cries out to Me, I will hear his cry]” (Exodus 22:22). Alternatively: “The Lord has afflicted [ana] me” – He testified against me, as you say: “He testified [ana] falsely against his brother” (Deuteronomy 19:18). Alternatively: “The Lord afflicted [ana] me” – all of His concern [inyan] was with me, as in this world, the Lord afflicted [ana] me. But regarding the future, what is written? “I will rejoice over them to do them good” (Jeremiah 32:41).
“I went full, and the Lord brought me back empty” – I went full with sons, and full with daughters. Alternatively: “I went full,” as I was pregnant. “Why call me Naomi, and the Lord has afflicted [ana] me” – the attribute of justice afflicted me;142The word ana is in an unusual form. If read ina, it means afflicted. If read ana, it could mean to speak against or to testify against. The midrash suggests a variety of readings. that is what you say: “If you afflict him [aneh te’aneh] [then when he cries out to Me, I will hear his cry]” (Exodus 22:22). Alternatively: “The Lord has afflicted [ana] me” – He testified against me, as you say: “He testified [ana] falsely against his brother” (Deuteronomy 19:18). Alternatively: “The Lord afflicted [ana] me” – all of His concern [inyan] was with me, as in this world, the Lord afflicted [ana] me. But regarding the future, what is written? “I will rejoice over them to do them good” (Jeremiah 32:41).
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Midrash Tanchuma
What is written above this subject? If thou afflict them in any wise—for if they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry (Exod. 22:22). All the words in this verse are repeated in order to teach you that the curtain (for repentance) is never closed before Him. What is written following this? My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with a sword (ibid., v. 23). When is that? If thou lend money to any of My people.
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