Musar sobre Isaías 33:7

The second watch also consists of four hours, but it is divided into two parts. During the two hours preceding midnight the ministering angels weep bitterly over the destruction of the Temple, reciting the Psalm (137), “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and we also wept (when we remembered Zion). How shall we sing the song of Hashem song on alien soil…” At that time the Holy One Blessed is He weeps with them and the angels that the Holy One Blessed is He commanded to accompany Israel into the Babylonian and Edomite exiles also weep, as stated in the verse, “For they have cried for their altar in the street — emissaries of peace weep bitterly” (Yeshayahu 33:7). This is the meaning of the verse, “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and also wept as we remembered Tzion.” That is, we, Israel, also wept along with the angels who wept there over the destruction of the Temple and slaughter of the righteous.

See how great is the obligation to mourn over the destruction of the Holy Temple and the spilling of Israel’s blood. Therefore one must recite the Psalm, “By the rivers of Babylon” (Tehillim 137) and pour out tears over the destruction. One must also recite Tehillim 83 over the slaughter of the righteous. For the gates of tears were never sealed (Berachos 32b), nor are tears ever erased. In Heaven there is an angel especially appointed to receive tears. The same angel is also in charge of receiving the prayers of Israel that are accompanied by tears. He holds command over the Ofanim called YRChMYEL [ירחמיא"ל] (Zohar, 2:245b), and has charge over six hundred Chayos. Nevertheless, says the Zohar, there is another category of tears, concerning which it is stated, “Behold, the mighty ones cry outside; emissaries of peace weep bitterly” (Yeshayahu 33:7): When the righteous leave this world all the tears they shed are taken by the supernal chariots who mix them with those shed over the destruction of the Temple. Concerning this was it stated, “And Hashem God will wipe the tear from upon every face” (Yeshayahu 25:8). Whose “face” does this refer to? It is a reference to the holy supernal chariots.” Afterwards, “He will remove the disgrace of His people from upon the entire earth, for the mouth of Hashem has spoken” (ibid.).