Nachschlagewerk zu Jeschijahu 33:4

Rabbi Jehudah referred to the political situation of the Jews on numerous occasions but he could not speak openly on this subject and he limited himself to vague references to the oppressors. “The devouring fire” spoken of by Isaiah (33:4) he explained to mean the enemies of the Jews who would burn the world and all of humanity if they could.¹⁹⁾בראשית רבה פּרשה מ״ח פּיסקא ח׳. On the same subject he also said: “The Jews say to God: ‘How many decrees have been enacted against us to make us turn away from your holy name but they were to no avail, for we still come to Your synagogues and academies to announce to the whole world twice each day that You are our only God.”²⁰⁾שוחר טוב פּרשה ח׳.