Midrash su Isaia 28:29

R. Chanina and R. Jonathan were on the road and came upon two thoroughfares, one leading to the gate of an idol and the other to the gate of prostitutes. Said one to his colleague: "Let us go on that road which leads to the idol (Ib. b) as the evil spirit of idolators is killed." Whereupon his colleague remarked: "On the contrary, let us go on to the other road which leads to the prostitute so that we can overcome our evil spirit, and be rewarded." When they arrived at the prostitutes, the latter ran away to their homes. And his colleague asked him: "Whence did you infer [that such would happen]?" And the reply was: "From the following passage (Pr. 2, 11) Discretion shall watch over thee, discernment shall guard thee."

(Ps. 11, 3) For [if] the foundations be torn down, and what would the upright do? R. Juda and R. Eina differ. According to one it means: "If Ezekiah and his party would have been destroyed, how could [the promise of the Lord] be fulfilled?" And according to the other: "If the Temple would have been destroyed by Sancherib, [in accordance with the advice of Shebna], what would have become of the wonderful miracles of the Lord?" And according to Ulla this refers to the thoughts of that wicked (Shebna): "If they would not have been destroyed, what would have become of the righteous Hezekiah?" The interpretation of the one who explains that the passage for the foundation be torn down refers to Shebna's thoughts, is readily understood, as it is said (I Sam. 21, 13) And David laid up these words in his heart. The interpretation of the one who explains the word foundation to mean the Temple, is also evident, as we are taught in a Mishnah that a stone was placed in the Temple from the time of the first prophets, with the name Shethiha (foundation). But he who explains the passage to mean Hezekiah and his party, where is it to be found that the word foundation refers to the righteous? From the following passage (I Sam. 2, 8) For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and He hath set the world upon them. [Pillars, are the righteous, on which He hath set, the foundation]. And if you wish I will say from the following (Is. 28, 29) Wonderful is He in counsel, and excellent in His wise deeds. R. Chanina said: Why is the Torah called Tushiya? Because the study of it weakens the strength of man. Others explain: Because it was given in silence because of Satan. Others, again, explain it that they are mere words, and yet the world is built upon them.

“For when the foundations were destroyed…” Rav Yehudah and Rav Eina, one said ‘if Hezekiah and his supporters had been destroyed then what would the Righteous have accomplished?’ and one said ‘if the Temple were destroyed, then what would the Righteous have accomplished?’ Ulah said ‘if the thoughts of that wicked man were not thwarted, then what would the righteous have accomplished? The verse makes sense according to the one who says it refers to the thoughts of the wicked one, that is why it says “for the foundations were destroyed.” So too according to the one who says it refers to the Holy Temple, as it is taught, there was a stone there from the time of the first prophets, and it was called shetiyah. But according to the one who says it refers to Hezekiah and his supporters, where do we find that righteous people are called foundation? It is written “For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and He placed the world upon them.” (Shmuel I 2:8) Or one can demonstrate it from here “He gave marvelous counsel, made great wisdom.” (Isaiah 28:29) Rebbe Yochanan said, why is it (the Torah) called wisdom (toshia)? Because it wears out (mateshet) one’s strength.