נ֤וֹדַ֨ע ׀ יְהוָה֮ מִשְׁפָּ֪ט עָ֫שָׂ֥ה בְּפֹ֣עַל כַּ֭פָּיו נוֹקֵ֣שׁ רָשָׁ֑ע הִגָּי֥וֹן סֶֽלָה׃
L’Éternel s’est manifesté, il a exercé la justice; le méchant est pris au piège par ses propres œuvres. Higayon, Sélah!
Midrash Tehillim
The Lord is known for His righteous deeds. He demonstrated His judgment during the judgment He executed against Egypt, as it is said: "And Egypt shall know that I am the Lord" (Exodus 7:5). In practice, the wicked, like Pharaoh, struggle with their own hands. As for us, what can we say? Let us contemplate this. Selah. Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord (Exodus 15:1).
Bamidbar Rabbah
“Who presented his offering… [Naḥshon, son of Aminadav, of the tribe of Judah]” – that is what is written: “God is known in Judah…” (Psalms 76:2). This is what the verse said: “That which the wise tell…” (Job 15:18), this is Judah, who confessed and said: “She is more righteous than I” (Genesis 38:26), and did not withhold the truth [about his actions with Tamar] from Jacob and from Shem.21This is a reference to Shem’s court. Tamar’s father, Shem son of Noah, was no longer alive, but his court continued to function. Because he rescued Tamar and her twin sons from the inferno, as it is written [before he confessed]: “Judah said: Take her out and burn her” (Genesis 38:24); that is why Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya were rescued from the fiery furnace, as it is written: “Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying: Blessed is the God of Shadrakh, Meshakh, and Aved Nego…and from me is issued a decree that any people, nation, or language [that says anything amiss against the God of Shadrakh, Meshakh, and Aved Nego will be rendered into pieces]…” (Daniel 3:28–29). That is why it says: “God is known in Judah…”
Another matter, “God is known in Judah” – when Daniel descended into the lion’s den and was rescued, as it is written: “Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, the nations…. A decree is issued before me, that in the entire dominion of my kingdom, men shall tremble [and fear before the God of Daniel]…. He rescues and delivers, and performs signs and wonders [in the heavens and on earth. He saved Daniel from the grasp of the lions]” (Daniel 6:26–28). That is, “God is known in Judah.” Why was Daniel rescued from the lions? It is because he prayed before the Holy One blessed be He, who is called “lion,” as it is written: “They will follow the Lord, He will roar like a lion” (Hosea 11:10). And Daniel is from the tribe of Judah, that is called “lion,” as it is stated: "Judah is a lion cub” (Genesis 49:9), and it is written: “Among them from the children of Judah were Daniel…” (Daniel 1:6). Let a Lion come and rescue a lion from the mouth of a lion. Alternatively, it is because he resembled the lions, as he is a lion; therefore, they did not harm him.
Why was he not cast into the fiery furnace? It is because he was Nebuchadnezzar’s god, as it is written: “He prostrated himself to Daniel, and said for a meal offering and fragrances be poured to him” (Daniel 2:46). Alternatively, it is because he would have been burned, as it is written: “The idols of their gods you shall burn in fire” (Deuteronomy 7:25). Therefore, the Holy One blessed be He introduced into Darius’s heart that he should not cast him into the fiery furnace, so as to make known His might.
Another matter, “God is known in Judah” – that is what is written: “Ephraim will become desolation [on the day of rebuke; among the tribes of Israel I proclaim certainties]” (Hosea 5:9). “Ephraim will become desolation,” in its plain sense; “on the day of rebuke,” just as it says: “It is a day of trouble, rebuke and execration” (Isaiah 37:3). “Among the tribes of Israel,” as I reside in their midst, as I dwell in their midst. “I proclaim certainties”; just as it says: “The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy” (Psalms 19:8). When the [ten] tribes were exiled, but Judah and Benjamin were not exiled, the nations of the world began saying: ‘He showed then favor because they were the residents of his residence and he did not exile them.’ When they were exiled, God announced that sin in the world: “The princes of Judah were like movers of boundaries; I will pour My ire like water upon them” (Hosea 5:10). That is, “God is known in Judah.”
Another matter, “known in Judah,” just as it says: “If an army besieges me, my heart will not fear. [If war comes upon me, I will put my trust in this]” (Psalms 27:3). What is, “if war comes upon me, I will put my trust in this”? In what “this”? It is in what Moses said: “This for Judah, and he said: [Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah…and You will be a helper against his adversaries]” (Deuteronomy 33:7).
“His name is great in Israel” (Psalms 76:2) – that is what is written: “Punishments are prepared for cynics, [and blows [mahalumot] for the back of fools]” (Proverbs 19:29). Punishments are for those who commit transgressions. This is analogous to one who was riding on an animal. If it does not stray, he will not strike it, but if it strays, he strikes it. So, the Holy One blessed be He said: “Punishments are prepared for cynics.” The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Before I created Man, I prepared five rods for him: Spot, scab, bright spot, rash, and burn.’ Some say: Leprosy and scall. This corresponds to five “laws,” as it is stated: “This is the law for any leprous mark, and for a scall…and for the spot, for the scab, and for the bright spot” (Leviticus 14:54, 56). This is analogous to a bad slave who was being sold. An individual went to purchase him. He knew that he was bad. He brought chains and rods with him, so if he misbehaved, he could subjugate him with them. When he misbehaved, he brought the chains and chained him, and struck him with the rods. The slave said to him: ‘You knew from the outset that I am a bad slave. Why did you purchase me?’ He said to him: ‘Because I knew that you were bad in your conduct; therefore, I also prepared to bind you and to strike you, so that if you misbehaved, you would be struck with them.’ So, the Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Before I created Man, I knew him: “As the inclination of man's heart is evil from his youth”’ (Genesis 8:21). Woe to dough whose baker testifies in its regard that it is bad. That is why it is stated: “Punishments are prepared for cynics.”
What is mahalumot? Three words, Rabbi Berekhya said. What are these? It is for the nations [ma lo mot].22Meaning, ma - what are these severe punishments? lo mot - the letters that spell mot (mem, vav, tav) can also be read mavet, meaning death. Thus, the response to the question, ma, is lo mavet - the death is for them, not for you. Rabbi Avin said: This is analogous to a noblewoman who entered the palace and saw whips and rods and she was afraid. The residents of the palace said to her: ‘Fear not, these are for the slaves and the maidservant. You are here to eat, drink, and be honored.’ So, the congregation of Israel, when they heard the portions of curses and leprosy, they began to be afraid. Moses said to them: ‘These are for the idolaters. You are here to eat, drink, and engage in Torah study.’ “She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar” (Proverbs 31:14). That is, “His name is great in Israel.”
Another matter, “His name is great in Israel” – that is what is written: “For, from the rising of the sun to its setting, My name is great among the nations [and in every place burnt offerings and pure meal offerings [uninḥa] are burned [muktar], presented [mugash] to My name, for My name is great among the nations, said the Lord of hosts]” (Malachi 1:11). Is it so, that in every place they present incense and meal offering in the name of the Holy One blessed be He? It is, rather, that everywhere that Israel stands and recites the afternoon [minḥa] prayer, regarding that, it says minḥa in its plain sense. And it says: “It was at the time of offering up the afternoon offering that Elijah the prophet approached” (I Kings 18:36).23He prayed at the time of the afternoon offering. “Presented [mugash],” this is the morning prayer, just as it says: “Abraham approached [vayigash]…” (Genesis 18:23), in prayer.24Genesis 19:27 states that Abraham went in the morning to the place where he had stood before God. From that verse we learn (Brachot 26b) that Abraham founded the morning service. Since the verse refers to the place in which he had stood before God, it is presumably referring to Genesis 18:23, where he is described as approaching God to plead for Sodom. The presumption is that this took place at the time of the regular prayer, namely, in the morning. “Burned [muktar],” this is the evening prayer, just as it is stated: “Let my prayer stand as incense [ketoret] before You; [the lifting of my hands, an evening offering]” (Psalms 141:2). That is, “His name is great in Israel” – anywhere that Israel is standing there. That is why it is stated: “My name is great among the nations.”
“God is known in Judah” – when he takes revenge against their enemies. Just as it says: “Egypt will become desolation and Edom will become a desolate wilderness, due to the villainy against the children of Judah…” (Joel 4:19). “I will cleanse; their blood I will not cleanse…” (Joel 4:21). That is, “God is known in Judah,” just as it says: “The Lord is known through the judgments He executes; [the wicked one is snared] in his handiwork…” (Psalms 9:17).
“God is known in Judah” – Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Ilai said: When Israel stood at the sea, the tribes were deliberating with each other. This one says: ‘I will descend first,’ and this one says: ‘I will descend first.’ Naḥshon leapt into the waves of the sea and descended. In his regard, David said: “Rescue me, God, for the waters have come up to my soul” (Psalms 69:2). The Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘My friend is sinking in the sea, and you are praying? “Speak to the children of Israel, and let them travel”’ (Exodus 14:15). That is, “God is known in Judah.” That is why the Holy One blessed be He exalted the name of Naḥshon in Israel, as he was privileged to present his offering first, as it is stated: “The one who presented his offering on the first day was [vayhi] [Naḥshon].” That is, “His name is great in Israel.”
Another matter, “God is known in Judah” – when Daniel descended into the lion’s den and was rescued, as it is written: “Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, the nations…. A decree is issued before me, that in the entire dominion of my kingdom, men shall tremble [and fear before the God of Daniel]…. He rescues and delivers, and performs signs and wonders [in the heavens and on earth. He saved Daniel from the grasp of the lions]” (Daniel 6:26–28). That is, “God is known in Judah.” Why was Daniel rescued from the lions? It is because he prayed before the Holy One blessed be He, who is called “lion,” as it is written: “They will follow the Lord, He will roar like a lion” (Hosea 11:10). And Daniel is from the tribe of Judah, that is called “lion,” as it is stated: "Judah is a lion cub” (Genesis 49:9), and it is written: “Among them from the children of Judah were Daniel…” (Daniel 1:6). Let a Lion come and rescue a lion from the mouth of a lion. Alternatively, it is because he resembled the lions, as he is a lion; therefore, they did not harm him.
Why was he not cast into the fiery furnace? It is because he was Nebuchadnezzar’s god, as it is written: “He prostrated himself to Daniel, and said for a meal offering and fragrances be poured to him” (Daniel 2:46). Alternatively, it is because he would have been burned, as it is written: “The idols of their gods you shall burn in fire” (Deuteronomy 7:25). Therefore, the Holy One blessed be He introduced into Darius’s heart that he should not cast him into the fiery furnace, so as to make known His might.
Another matter, “God is known in Judah” – that is what is written: “Ephraim will become desolation [on the day of rebuke; among the tribes of Israel I proclaim certainties]” (Hosea 5:9). “Ephraim will become desolation,” in its plain sense; “on the day of rebuke,” just as it says: “It is a day of trouble, rebuke and execration” (Isaiah 37:3). “Among the tribes of Israel,” as I reside in their midst, as I dwell in their midst. “I proclaim certainties”; just as it says: “The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy” (Psalms 19:8). When the [ten] tribes were exiled, but Judah and Benjamin were not exiled, the nations of the world began saying: ‘He showed then favor because they were the residents of his residence and he did not exile them.’ When they were exiled, God announced that sin in the world: “The princes of Judah were like movers of boundaries; I will pour My ire like water upon them” (Hosea 5:10). That is, “God is known in Judah.”
Another matter, “known in Judah,” just as it says: “If an army besieges me, my heart will not fear. [If war comes upon me, I will put my trust in this]” (Psalms 27:3). What is, “if war comes upon me, I will put my trust in this”? In what “this”? It is in what Moses said: “This for Judah, and he said: [Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah…and You will be a helper against his adversaries]” (Deuteronomy 33:7).
“His name is great in Israel” (Psalms 76:2) – that is what is written: “Punishments are prepared for cynics, [and blows [mahalumot] for the back of fools]” (Proverbs 19:29). Punishments are for those who commit transgressions. This is analogous to one who was riding on an animal. If it does not stray, he will not strike it, but if it strays, he strikes it. So, the Holy One blessed be He said: “Punishments are prepared for cynics.” The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Before I created Man, I prepared five rods for him: Spot, scab, bright spot, rash, and burn.’ Some say: Leprosy and scall. This corresponds to five “laws,” as it is stated: “This is the law for any leprous mark, and for a scall…and for the spot, for the scab, and for the bright spot” (Leviticus 14:54, 56). This is analogous to a bad slave who was being sold. An individual went to purchase him. He knew that he was bad. He brought chains and rods with him, so if he misbehaved, he could subjugate him with them. When he misbehaved, he brought the chains and chained him, and struck him with the rods. The slave said to him: ‘You knew from the outset that I am a bad slave. Why did you purchase me?’ He said to him: ‘Because I knew that you were bad in your conduct; therefore, I also prepared to bind you and to strike you, so that if you misbehaved, you would be struck with them.’ So, the Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Before I created Man, I knew him: “As the inclination of man's heart is evil from his youth”’ (Genesis 8:21). Woe to dough whose baker testifies in its regard that it is bad. That is why it is stated: “Punishments are prepared for cynics.”
What is mahalumot? Three words, Rabbi Berekhya said. What are these? It is for the nations [ma lo mot].22Meaning, ma - what are these severe punishments? lo mot - the letters that spell mot (mem, vav, tav) can also be read mavet, meaning death. Thus, the response to the question, ma, is lo mavet - the death is for them, not for you. Rabbi Avin said: This is analogous to a noblewoman who entered the palace and saw whips and rods and she was afraid. The residents of the palace said to her: ‘Fear not, these are for the slaves and the maidservant. You are here to eat, drink, and be honored.’ So, the congregation of Israel, when they heard the portions of curses and leprosy, they began to be afraid. Moses said to them: ‘These are for the idolaters. You are here to eat, drink, and engage in Torah study.’ “She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar” (Proverbs 31:14). That is, “His name is great in Israel.”
Another matter, “His name is great in Israel” – that is what is written: “For, from the rising of the sun to its setting, My name is great among the nations [and in every place burnt offerings and pure meal offerings [uninḥa] are burned [muktar], presented [mugash] to My name, for My name is great among the nations, said the Lord of hosts]” (Malachi 1:11). Is it so, that in every place they present incense and meal offering in the name of the Holy One blessed be He? It is, rather, that everywhere that Israel stands and recites the afternoon [minḥa] prayer, regarding that, it says minḥa in its plain sense. And it says: “It was at the time of offering up the afternoon offering that Elijah the prophet approached” (I Kings 18:36).23He prayed at the time of the afternoon offering. “Presented [mugash],” this is the morning prayer, just as it says: “Abraham approached [vayigash]…” (Genesis 18:23), in prayer.24Genesis 19:27 states that Abraham went in the morning to the place where he had stood before God. From that verse we learn (Brachot 26b) that Abraham founded the morning service. Since the verse refers to the place in which he had stood before God, it is presumably referring to Genesis 18:23, where he is described as approaching God to plead for Sodom. The presumption is that this took place at the time of the regular prayer, namely, in the morning. “Burned [muktar],” this is the evening prayer, just as it is stated: “Let my prayer stand as incense [ketoret] before You; [the lifting of my hands, an evening offering]” (Psalms 141:2). That is, “His name is great in Israel” – anywhere that Israel is standing there. That is why it is stated: “My name is great among the nations.”
“God is known in Judah” – when he takes revenge against their enemies. Just as it says: “Egypt will become desolation and Edom will become a desolate wilderness, due to the villainy against the children of Judah…” (Joel 4:19). “I will cleanse; their blood I will not cleanse…” (Joel 4:21). That is, “God is known in Judah,” just as it says: “The Lord is known through the judgments He executes; [the wicked one is snared] in his handiwork…” (Psalms 9:17).
“God is known in Judah” – Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Ilai said: When Israel stood at the sea, the tribes were deliberating with each other. This one says: ‘I will descend first,’ and this one says: ‘I will descend first.’ Naḥshon leapt into the waves of the sea and descended. In his regard, David said: “Rescue me, God, for the waters have come up to my soul” (Psalms 69:2). The Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘My friend is sinking in the sea, and you are praying? “Speak to the children of Israel, and let them travel”’ (Exodus 14:15). That is, “God is known in Judah.” That is why the Holy One blessed be He exalted the name of Naḥshon in Israel, as he was privileged to present his offering first, as it is stated: “The one who presented his offering on the first day was [vayhi] [Naḥshon].” That is, “His name is great in Israel.”
Midrash Tehillim
Listen, Ranati. There is no "rana" here, but rather a similar "rana" as mentioned above, as it says (Kings I 8:28) "to hear the cry." There it is written (Deuteronomy 33:7) "Hear, O Lord, the voice of Judah," and here it is written "Hear, O Lord, the cry of righteousness." Why is it that the righteous want the Divine Presence and reduce themselves from what is given to them? (Psalms 37:9) "Happy is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rock." Thus said the Holy One, blessed be He: "Happy is he who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock." Thus said the Holy One, blessed be He, "I will dash your little ones against the rock, just as you dashed mine." We did not hear during the destruction of the Temple that our children were dashed, but rather that they were taken into captivity. Rather, thus said the Holy One, blessed be He, "You have destroyed my Temple, which I built so that Israel might uphold my Torah, which they received from me as children," as it says (Psalm 8:3) "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings have you established strength." Therefore, I will dash yours. And thus it says (Psalm 28:4), "Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors; give them after the work of their hands; render to them their just deserts." (Psalm 64:9) "They shall take hold of their own tongues; all that see them shall flee away." (Psalm 10:15) "Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; seek out his wickedness until You find none." When the Holy One, blessed be He, takes revenge against the wicked, we will play music before Him. Rabbi Akiva expounded (Isaiah 5:14), "Therefore hell has enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure." Without measure is written here, but it means "without limit." To one who does not have a commandment in his hand, let him decide in favor of merit, for this is for the World to Come. However, even in this world, a Talmudic teaching obligates him, and one teaches him about merit, as it is stated (Job 33:23): "If there is an angel of one thousand who will intercede for him." (2 Samuel 21:2) "Now the Gibeonites were not of the people of Israel." Why did David distance himself from them, causing famine year after year? David said that there are four things that cause rain to cease: idol worship, illicit sexual relations, bloodshed, and judges who rule over the public but do not give charity. Concerning idol worship, it is written (Deuteronomy 11:16), "Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived." And it continues (Amos 4:7), "He stopped the heavens." Concerning illicit sexual relations, it is stated (Jeremiah 3:2), "You have acted like a harlot with many lovers." And it continues (Hosea 2:9), "And I will restrain the rain." Concerning bloodshed, it is stated (Numbers 35:33), "The blood pollutes the land." Concerning judges who rule over the public but do not give charity, it is stated (Proverbs 25:14), "Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he did not give." David searched in every generation and did not find one of them. He asked in the Urim and Thummim, as it is stated (2 Samuel 21:1), "David inquired of the Lord about Saul and his house of blood." Of Saul, for you did not show him kindness. "And to the house of the Damim who killed the Gibeonites, David sent and called to them, saying, 'What shall I do for you, and with the house of Saul?' They said to him, 'It is because he killed seven of us, the sons of the Damim, who were woodcutters and water drawers, and the chief and scribe and sun.' David said to them, 'What do you want me to do for you?' They replied, 'Let seven men from his descendants be given to us, and we will hang them before the Lord in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen one of the Lord.' But the king said, 'I will give them to you.' David then asked, 'What should I give you?' And they said to him, 'We have no silver or gold with Saul.' David said, 'Perhaps they are divided in their hearts, let each man give what he thinks is best, and we will reconcile with him.' Then David said to them, 'What do you want me to do for you?' And they said, 'Give us silver and gold, for those who killed us are destroying us.' David said, 'I have no silver or gold with Saul.' At that time, the Lord granted three good things to Israel: merciful people, those who are ashamed, and those who do good deeds. Merciful, as it is said, 'And He will give you mercy and have mercy on you.'" "Regarding those who are bashful, it is said (Exodus 20:17), 'And for this purpose His fear shall be upon your faces, that you shall not sin.' Therefore, being bashful is a sign that one does not sin. And whoever does not possess the trait of shame has the status of an uncircumcised person who did not stand with our forefathers on Mount Sinai. Those who do acts of loving-kindness are mentioned in Deuteronomy 7:12, 'And keep the covenant and the loving-kindness.' However, the Gibeonites do not possess any of these traits, as it says in 2 Samuel 21:2, 'The Gibeonites are not of the children of Israel.' Come and see how beloved the Holy One, blessed be He, holds the converts, for our father Abraham did not circumcise anyone until he himself was ninety-nine years old. If he had circumcised his son at the age of fifty or sixty, a convert would have been able to convert at the age of forty or fifty. Therefore, the wheel of the Holy One, blessed be He, revolved with him until he reached the age of ninety-nine, so that the door would not be closed to future converts. And so that He could give reward for days and years and increase the reward of those who do His will, in order to fulfill what is said (Isaiah 42:21), 'The Lord desired for the sake of His righteousness.' Similarly, it is found in four categories that confess and say before He who spoke and brought the world into being (Isaiah 45:23), 'This one will say, "I am for the Lord," and this one will call in the name of Jacob, and this one will write with his hand to the Lord, and adopt the name of Israel.' 'This one will say, "I am for the Lord," and will not be intermingled with sin.' 'This one will call in the name of Jacob' refers to the righteous converts. 'This one will write with his hand to the Lord' refers to those who repent. 'And adopt the name of Israel' refers to those who fear Heaven." And the Gibeonites who were not called by the name of Jacob, as it says about them (Genesis 33:14), "And let El-Shaddai grant you mercy." And they did not show them mercy. David stood up for them and reconciled with them. Therefore it is said, "And the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel." Ezra also reconciled with them, as it says (Nehemiah 3:26), "And the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel." Even God will distance them in the future, as it says (Ezekiel 48:19), "And those who serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel. It shall be that which remains." Rabbi Elazar said that the Holy Spirit appeared in three places: in the court of Shem, as it says (Genesis 38:26), "And Judah recognized and said, 'She is more righteous than I.'" Perhaps he did not say this, but rather someone else said it in his presence. A Heavenly Voice went forth and said, "She is more righteous than he." In the court of Samuel, as it says (1 Samuel 12:3), "Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before His anointed." And they said, "You have not defrauded us." A Heavenly Voice went forth and said, "He is telling the truth in this matter." In the court of Solomon, as it says (1 Kings 3:26), "Give her the living child, and by no means kill him." She is his mother. A Heavenly Voice went forth and said, "She is his mother." Rava interpreted that 613 commandments were stated to Moses at Sinai, corresponding to the number of the days of the solar year, and 248 positive commandments correspond to the number of a man's limbs. Rav Hamnuna said, "What is the verse that teaches this?" (Deuteronomy 33:4) "Moses commanded us a law." The word "law" has a gematria of 611, and when you add "Anochi" and "I am" from the verse (Exodus 20:2), the total is 613. And Rav Yehudah said, "A word and the Sabbath preceded the giving of the Torah." David came and established them on 13, as it says (Psalms 15:1-2), "Who shall dwell in Your tent, who shall reside on Your holy mountain?" "Going innocently" means Abraham, who "walked innocently and did righteousness" (Genesis 17:1). "Speaking truth in his heart" means Rav Sapphira, who "never let a lie cross his lips." "Not slandering with his tongue" means Jacob, who said "Perhaps my father will feel me up," but did not commit any evil against his fellow. "Not taking shame upon his relatives" refers to one who is close to his family. Rabbi Simon said that God's attribute of mercy is not like that of humans. If a human has a shameful or poor relative, he disowns him, but God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and called them his relative. He considered Hezekiah a wicked king who dragged his father's bones with a rope, but he honored Jehoshaphat, who treated his disciples with respect. One who swears to do evil and does not change is like Rabbi Yochanan, who said, 'I fast until I finish my portion [of the daily study]. He never took interest even from a non-Jew, nor did he accept a bribe even from an innocent person, like Rabbi Yishmael son of Rabbi Yose. Whoever does all these things will never fall. One who does some of them may fall eventually. These are the things that are said [in praise of the righteous] - one of them is: 'He who walks righteously' [Isaiah 33:15], referring to Abraham. 'And speaks uprightly' - one who does not speak insultingly of others. 'He who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed' [ibid.] - one who does not listen to slander. 'And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil' [ibid.] - one who does not gaze at women when they are washing clothes. [Other examples of righteous behavior include:] 'He has told you, O man, what is good' [Micah 6:8] - this is [the practice of] performing acts of kindness. 'And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice' [ibid.] - this is the obligation to pursue justice. 'And to love mercy' [ibid.] - this is the act of giving charity. 'And to walk humbly with your God' [ibid.] - this refers to acts that are typically done publicly, such as accompanying a bride and groom [to their wedding], which the Torah refers to as 'walking humbly.' Other acts, which are typically done privately, are even more praiseworthy. Isaiah returned and cited two [righteous] qualities, as it says, 'Keep justice, and do righteousness' [Isaiah 56:1]. Amos cited one, as it says, 'Seek me and live' [Amos 5:4]. Habakkuk also cited one, as it says, 'And the righteous shall live by his faith' [Habakkuk 2:4]."walk humbly with God."