Midrasch zu Jechezkiel 21:11

(Fol. 62) Rab said: "Sighing breaks half of the body, for it is said (Ez. 21, 11) But thou, son of man, do thou sigh as though with broken loins, and with bitterness [of grief] shalt thou sigh." R. Jochanan adds: "A sigh breaks up the entire body, as it is said (Ib., ib., 12) And it shall be when they say unto thee, wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, for the tidings, because it cometh, when every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be made feeble, and every spirit shall become faint, and all knees shall be changed into water." But how will the first passage, As though with broken loins, be explained by R. Jochanan? This means that it begins from the loins. How will, [on the other hand], the other passage, When every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be made feeble, and every spirit shall become faint, be explained by Rab? He will say that the tidings of the destruction of the Temple is different because it was exceedingly grave. There were a certain Jew and gentile who were walking on the road, and the gentile could not keep apace with the Jew. He reminded the Jew of the destruction of the Temple. This caused the latter to breathe a long, suffering sigh, but the gentile was still unable to keep up with him. "Have you not said that sighing breaks half of the body," the gentile remarked. Whereupon the Jew replied: "This refers only to a new tiding; but this is already old and does not [affect as much;] just like people say: 'A woman used to abortion is no longer bewildered [when it occurs.' "

(Ib. b) Ulla and R. Chisda were once traveling together, when they came up to the gate of the house of R. Chana b. Chanilai; R. Chisda looked at it, became faint and sighed, "Why sighest thou?"' asked Ulla; "since as Rab said, sighing breaks half of a body, for it is written (Ezek. 21, 11.) Sigh, therefore, O son of man, with the breaking of thy loins, etc.; and R. Jochanan said: 'A sigh breaks up the entire body, for it is said (lb. ib. 12.) And it shall be when they say unto thee, "Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, for the tidings, because it cometh, and the whole heart shall melt,'" etc. To this R. Chisda replied: "How can I help sighing over this house, where sixty bakers used to he employed during the day, and sixty during the night, to bake bread for the poor and the needy; and R. Chana always had his hand in his purse, for he thought a respectable poor man might come along, and while he would put his hand in his purse [to take out a coin] it might cause the poor man shame [for being compelled to apply for charity]; besides, he kept four doors open, one facing each direction, and whoever entered hungry went cut satisfied. Moreover in time of famine he scattered wheat and barley outside, so that those who were ashamed to take help openly by day might come and take it by night; and now his house has fallen into ruin. Should I not sigh?" So Ulla said to him, "Thus R. Jochanan said: 'Since the destruction of the Temple it was decreed that the houses of the righteous shall become ruins, for it is written (Is. 5, 9.) Truly many houses shall become desolute. Yea, great and beautiful ones without an inhabitant!' 'Still,' added Rabbi Jochanan, 'the Holy One, praised be He! will again people it, for it is written (Ps. 125, 1.) Those who trust in the Lord are like Mt. Zion. Just as the Holy One, praised be He! is ready to rebuild Mt. Zion so will the Holy One, praised be He! rebuild the houses of the righteous.'" Ulla noticed that R. Chisda was still not comforted. He said to him therefore: "It is sufficient for the slave to have as much as his master [but not more]."