Talmud zu Jechezkiel 1:26

⁵⁵Most of this paragraph also is in Lev. rabba 23(8), Cant. rabba 4(17). Rebbi Berekhia, Rebbi Jeremiah in the name of Rebbi Ḥiyya bar Abba: Levi bar Sisi explained in Nahardea: They saw the God of Israel and below His feet like the work of a brick of sapphire, and like the true sky in purity⁵⁶Ex. 24:10.. That is, before they were freed. But after they were freed, (it was not its way to be put) [where usually the brick is put]⁵⁷The sapphire brick was at God’s feet as symbol of the enslavement of Israel; after their freeing it was no longer necessary but took its place in the Heavenly Temple. The corrector’s text in brackets is that of the Midrashim. there it is put. Rebbi Berekhia said, it is not written here the work, but like the work, it and all its tools⁵⁸Greek ʼεργαλεῑα “tools of trade”., (it and the basket and the rake.)⁵⁹The scribe’s text in parentheses is confirmed by the Midrashim. The remainder of the text up to the statement of Bar Qappara is not in the parallel sources. [it and all its merchandise. Rebbi Miasha said, in Babylonia it is written⁶⁰Ez. 1:26., like the looks of sapphire stone, but in Egypt it is written, like the work of] a brick of sapphire. To teach you that just as the stone is harder than the brick, so the servitude of Babylonia was harder than the servitude of Egypt. Bar Qappara stated, before Israel was rescued from Egypt it⁶¹The brick of sapphire. was traced in the sky; after they were rescued it was no longer seen in the sky. What is the reason? and like the true sky in purity, the sky if it is empty of clouds.