Commentaire de citation sur Les Psaumes 115:12

As a remembrance. In Tehillim (115:12) it is written, “Ad-noy has remembered us; He will bless.” This teaches us that when God “remembers” the B’nei Yisrael it is in order to bless them.

AND IF THOU MAKE ME AN ALTAR OF STONE. The meaning of the word v’im (and if) in an obligatory commandment⁵⁷⁹Since it is obligatory upon us to build an altar of stone in the Sanctuary, the question arises: Why does the Torah here use the word v’im (and if)? Ramban proceeds to answer this question. is: If the time comes that you will be worthy to inherit the Land and to build Me an altar of stone, beware that thou shalt not build it of hewn stones, for you may think to make it so to enhance the beauty of the structure. In his commentaries,⁵⁸⁰Further, 24:4. Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra’s opinion is that [the verse here refers] to the altar of the covenant [mentioned] in the section of V’eileh Hamishpatim.⁵⁸¹Ibid. The sense of the expression, ‘and if’ thou make Me an altar of stone is thus as follows: “Make Me now an altar of earth, and if you will merit it, then you shall make Me an altar of stone for the altar of the covenant.” See Ibn Ezra here.
By way of the Truth, [the mystic lore of the Cabala], the verses are in methodical arrangement: “Ye yourselves have seen that from heaven I have talked with you with My Great Name, and ye shall not make before My face gods of silver, or of gold. But I permit you to make an altar to Me alone and to sacrifice thereon burnt-offerings, and also peace-offerings, in every place where I cause My Name to be mentioned for I will come unto thee and bless thee — with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that coucheth beneath.”⁵⁸²Genesis 49:25. The word azkir (I will cause it to be mentioned) is associated with the expression: He hath been mindful of us, He will bless.⁵⁸³Psalms 115:12.

L’SHOCHNI B’THOCHAM’²²²Literally: “to dwell among them.” — “on condition that I dwell in the midst of them.” This is Rashi’s language. But the usage of the letter lamed [l’shochni] for a condition of this kind is not found [elsewhere in Scripture]! It is possible that He is stating: “and they shall know ‘when’ I dwell among them that I am the Eternal their G-d that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, for they will [then] know My Glory and believe that I brought them forth from the land of Egypt.” It is similar in usage to the verses: And David had great success ‘l’chol drachav’²²³I Samuel 18:14. Literally: “to all his ways.” [which is like b’chol drachav — “in all his ways”]; that thou hast chosen ‘l’ben Yishai’²²⁴Ibid., 20:30. Literally: “to the son of Jesse.” [which means b’ben Yishai — “the son of Jesse”]; because ye rebelled against My word ‘l’mei Meribah’²²⁵Numbers 20:24. Literally: “to the waters of Meribah.” [which means b’mei Meribah — “in (or ‘at’) the waters of Meribah”], and similar cases.
But Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra explained [the verse to mean that] the purpose of My bringing them forth from the land of Egypt was only that I might dwell in their midst, and that this was the fulfilment of [the promise to Moses], you shall serve G-d upon this mountain.²²⁶Above, 3:12. He explained it well, and if it is so, there is in this matter a great secret. For in the plain sense of things it would appear that [the dwelling of] the Divine Glory in Israel was to fulfill a want below, but it is not so. It fulfilled a want above, being rather similar in thought to that which Scripture states, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.²²⁷Isaiah 49:3. And Joshua said, [For when the Canaanites… hear of it… and cut off our name from the earth,] and what wilt Thou do for Thy Great Name?²²⁸Joshua 7:9. There are many verses which express this thought: He hath desired it [i.e., Zion] for His habitation;²²⁹Psalms 132:13. Here I dwell; for I have desired it.²³⁰Ibid., Verse 14. And it is further written, and I will remember the land.²³¹Leviticus 26:42. “That is to say, the land is remembered in mercy. And I will remember is of the root The Eternal hath been mindful of us” (Psalms 115:12) (Ricanti).