Les Proverbes 21:19 Midrash : Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition) & Devarim Rabbah

R. Juda b. Idi said, in the name of R. Jochanan: "Ten journeys did the Shechina make [prior to its disappearance]. This we infer from Biblical passages, and a corresponding number of times were the Sanhedrin exiled. This we know by tradition. The ten journeys which the Shechina made are as follows: From the Kapporeth (cover of the Holy Ark) to the Cherub; from the Cherub to the threshold of the Temple; from the threshold of the Temple to the Temple-court; from the Temple-yard to the altar; from the altar to the roof (of the Temple); from the roof to the fortification wall; from the fortification wall to the city of Jerusalem; from the city of Jerusalem to the Temple mound; from the Temple mound to the wilderness, and thence it finally ascended heaven and occupied its place; as it is said (Has. 5, 15) I will go [from here] and return to my place." "From the Kaporeth to the Cherub, and from the Cherub to the threshold of the Temple," as it is written (Ex. 25, 22) And I will meet with them there, and I will speak with thee from, above the Kaporeth; and it is also written (Ez. 9, 3) And the glory of the God of Israel ascended up from the Cherub, wherefore it was to the threshold of the House. "From the threshold to the Temple-court," as it is written (Ib. 10, 4) Then the glory of the Lord rose upward from the Cherub toward the threshold of the House, and the House was filled with the clouds, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord's glory. "From the Temple-court to the Altar," as it is written (Amos 9, 1) I saw the Lord standing upon the altar. "From the altar to the roof," as it is written (Pr. 25, 24) It is better to dwell in the corner of a roof. "From the roof to the Temple-mound," as it is written (Amos 7, 7) And behold, the Lord was standing upon a wall. "From the Temple-mound to the city of Jerusalem," as it is written (Micha 6, 9) The voice of the Lord calleth unto the city. "From the city to the Temple-mound," as it is written (Ez. 11, 23) And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain. "From the Temple-mound to the wilderness," as it is written (Pr. 21, 19) It is better to dwell in a desert land, etc.; and it finally ascended to heaven and occupied its place; as it is said (Hos. 5, 15) I will go (from here) and return to my place, till they acknowledge their guilt."

What the verse said: “I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift…” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). What is “that the race is not to the swift”? Rabbi Tanḥuma said: This verse is speaking about Moses. How so? Yesterday, he would ascend to the heavens like an eagle; now, he seeks to cross the Jordan, but is unable to do so, as it is stated: “As you will not cross this Jordan” (Deuteronomy 3:27). “And the war is not to the valiant” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) – yesterday the angels were trembling before him, but now he says: “For I was daunted due to the wrath and the fury” (Deuteronomy 9:19). “Also not to the wise is bread” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) – yesterday, “The wise man goes up against the city of the mighty and removes the strength of its stronghold” (Proverbs 21:22); from Heaven, but now, it was taken from him and given to Joshua son of Nun. “And also not to the clever is wealth” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) – yesterday, he spoke like a wealthy man: “Relent from Your enflamed wrath” (Exodus 32:12), “please pardon the iniquity of this people” (Numbers 14:19). But now he is speaking like an indigent man: “I pleaded [vaetḥanan]” (Deuteronomy 3:23) – do it for me for nothing [ḥinam]. “And also not to the knowledgeable is favor” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) – yesterday, he knew how to appease his Creator: “Arise, Lord” (Numbers 10:35), “repose, Lord” (Numbers 10:36), but here, after he pleaded for all of seven days, ultimately the Holy One blessed be He said to him: “Your days are approaching.”