Pensamiento judío sobre Isaías 1:3

Regarding this, he said (Isaiah 1:3), "The ox knows, etc.," in opposition to two things—fear and love—that ought to have been found in Israel. For there is a creature like the ox, which recognizes the one under whose authority and dominion it stands, who can do with it as he pleases, and it fears him. Therefore, it says, "The ox knows its owner," for it knows who is its master and rules over it. And because the ox is a king among beasts, yet despite this, it knows its owner who is master over it, the verse thus states, "The ox knows its owner." Then there is a creature like the donkey, which does not recognize its master in this manner, yet it recognizes the good it receives from its master and is drawn after him. Regarding this, it is said (ibid.), "and the donkey its master's crib," for it is the most materialistic of creatures and has no wisdom, yet it recognizes its master for its own benefit, immediately running to the crib from which it receives its food. But "Israel does not know, etc." (ibid.), meaning that they who are named for dominion ('sararah') should have recognized the dominion and governance of the Holy One, Blessed be He, who rules over all, just as the ox—which is a king—knows the one who is its master; yet despite this, they did not know this thing so as to be in fear of Him. And it says, "My people," corresponding to the donkey that was mentioned, as they are called a "people" ('am') merely for being a nation. From this aspect, they should have recognized the One who bestows good upon them, for the donkey knows its master's crib, but "My people did not contemplate" the good deeds I have done for them, and could yet do for them in the future. For this reason, they should have been drawn after the Lord, may He be blessed, with bonds of love, just as the donkey is drawn to its master's crib.

And when a man thinks of, and reflects upon, these foundations of wisdom and examines its marks in the universe, his superiority over the animals rises in proportion to his understanding. But if he neglects to observe and reflect, he is not equal to the beast, but inferior to it, as Scripture said "The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not consider" (Yeshaya 1:3).

And when he does not accept the obligations dictated by the understanding with which he is endowed, and its rebuke, he loses the character of a rational creature; and the cattle understand how to improve their condition better than he does, as it is said, "The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master's trough; but Israel does not know; My people does not consider" (Isaiah 1:3). Such a person's fate will be like that of one, concerning whom it is said, "But the wicked shall perish; and the enemies of the L-ord shall be as the fat of lambs, they shall be consumed; into smoke shall they be utterly consumed" (Psalm 37:20).