Midrash su Isaia 42:13

Befitting is (the ascription of) "greatness" to the Lord. And thus did David say (I Chronicles 29:11) "To you, O Lord, is [befitting the ascription of] greatness, might, splendor, triumph, and majesty." A king of flesh and blood enters a province, and all praise him as "strong" — when he is weak; as "rich" — when he is poor; as "wise" — when he is foolish; as "merciful" — when he is cruel; as "trusty" — when he is not. He is lacking in all of these (fine) attributes — All men are flattering him. But it is not so with Him who spoke and brought the world into being. He is more than He is praised for being. I shall sing to the Lord, who is might, as it is written — (Devarim 10:17) "the God who is great and mighty and awesome," (Psalms 24:8) "the Lord, mighty and strong, the Lord, strong in war," (Isaiah 42;13) "The Lord as a mighty one shall go forth. As a man of war, He will stir up wrath. He will shout; He will scream. He will overpower His foes," (Jeremiah 10:14) "There is none like You, O Lord. Great are You and great is Your name in strength." I shall sing to the Lord, who is rich, as it is written — (Devarim 10:19) "To the Lord your God belong the heavens, etc.", (Psalms 24:1) "To the Lord belongs the earth and its fullness, etc.", (Ibid. 95:5) "His is the sea and He has made it," (Chaggai 2:8) "Mine is the silver and Mine is the gold," (Ezekiel 18:4) "All of the souls are Mine. The soul of the father and the soul of the son alike are Mine." I shall sing to the Lord, who is wise, as it is written — (Mishlei 2:6) "For the Lord shall give wisdom. From His mouth are knowledge and understanding", (Daniel 2:21) "He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to the knowers of understanding". (Jeremiah 10:7) "Who will not fear You, King of the nations? For among all the sages of the nations and in all of their kingdoms, there is none like You." I shall sing to the Lord, for He is merciful, as it is written — (Exodus 34:6) "Hashem, Hashem, the G d who is merciful and gracious", (Devarim 4:31) "For a merciful G d is the L rd your G d", (Psalms 25:6) "Remember Your mercies, Hashem, etc.", (Ibid. 145:8) "Good is the Lord to all, and His mercies are on all his works", (Daniel 9:9) "To the Lord our God is mercy and forgiveness." I shall sing to the Lord, who is a Judge, as it is written — (Devarim 1:17) "… for the judgment is God's", (Psalms 82:1) "G d stands in the assembly of the almighty. In the midst of the judges shall He judge," (Devarim 32:4) "The Rock, perfect is His work, for all of His ways are just." I shall sing to the Lord, who is trusty, as it is written — (Ibid. 7:9) "the trusty G d, etc." (Ibid. 32:4) "… a G d of trust, without wrong, etc." I shall sing to the Lord, who is comely, who is glorious, who is exalted, whose like does not exist — (Psalms 89:7) "For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord, can be likened to the Lord among the sons of the mighty"? (Ibid. 8) "God greatly dreaded in the great council of the holy, held in awe by all around Him"

Rabbi Levi said: Accursed are the wicked who are engaged in evil counsel against Israel, and each one of them counsels in his way and says: ‘My counsel is better than your counsel.’
Esau said: ‘Cain was a fool because he killed his brother during his father’s lifetime, and he didn’t know that his father would procreate. I will not do so; rather: “Let the days of mourning my father approach, and I will kill my brother Jacob”’ (Genesis 27: 41).
Pharaoh said: ‘Esau was a fool. Did he not know that his brother would procreate during his father’s lifetime? I will not do so [delay before killing Israel]. Rather, while they are still small and just out of their mother’s womb, I will suffocate them’; that is what is written: “Every son who is born, you shall cast him into the Nile” (Exodus 1:22).
Haman said: ‘Pharaoh was a fool, as he said: “Every son who is born, you shall cast him into the Nile.” Didn’t he know that girls marry and procreate? I will not do so; rather, “to destroy, to kill and to eliminate…” (Esther 3:13).’
[Haman continued:] ‘Even Gog and Magog²²Gog is the prophesied king of Magog in the war that will take place at the end of days. See Ezekiel 38–39. in the future are destined to say: “Those who preceded me were fools, as they engaged in counsel with their kings against Israel, but they did not know that they have a patron in Heaven.” I will not do so. I will confront their patron first, and then I will confront them.’ That is what is written: “The kings of the earth have assembled, and rulers are gathered together against the Lord and against His anointed” (Psalms 2:2). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: Wicked one, do you come to confront Me? How many divisions are before Me? How many lightning bolts? How many thunder claps? It is like what is written: “The Lord thundered with a great sound” (I Samuel 7:10); and how many seraphs and how many angels? rather, My power will emerge and wage war with you; that is what is written: “The Lord will emerge and wage war against those nations, like the day that He waged war on the day of battle” (Zechariah 14:3); “The Lord will emerge like the valiant one, He will arouse zealotry like a man of war…” (Isaiah 42:13); “The Lord will be King over the entire earth” (Zechariah 14:9).

Rabbi Papis expounded: “To a mare [lesusati] in Pharaoh's chariots”—lesisati is written.²⁴³The word lesusati is written without a vav such that it can also be read lesisati. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Just as I was gladdened [sasti] to eliminate the Egyptians at the sea, so I would have been gladdened to eliminate the enemies of Israel.’²⁴⁴The “enemies of Israel” is used here as a euphemism for the people of Israel themselves. Who caused them to be saved? “On their right and on their left” (Exodus 14:22); due to the merit of the Torah thay they were destined to receive from the right of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “From His right, a fiery law to them” (Deuteronomy 33:2). “And on their left,” this is mezuza.²⁴⁵The mezuza is situated to the left of the door when one is leaving the house. They were saved partially in the merit of their future fulfillment of the mitzva of mezuza. Alternatively, on their right, this is reciting Shema, “and on their left,” this is [the Amida] prayer.²⁴⁶Like the right, reciting Shema is superior because in it one does not request fulfillment of his own needs. By contrast, in the Amida prayer we request fulfillment of our own needs. This is exemplified in the verse: “Length of days is on its right; on its left is wealth and honor” (Proverbs 3:16) (Midrash HaMevoar). Rabbi Akiva said to him: ‘Enough, Papis. Every place that gladness [sisa] is stated, it is written with a sin, and here with a samekh.’ He said to [Rabbi Akiva]: ‘How do you interpret [the phrase] “to a mare in Pharaoh's chariots”?’ [Rabbi Akiva answered:] ‘Pharaoh mounted a stallion, and the Holy One blessed be He, as it were, revealed Himself on a stallion. That is what is written: “He mounted a cherub and flew” (Psalms 18:11). Pharaoh said: ‘A stallion kills its owners in war;²⁴⁷This is because its conduct is more aggressive. rather, I will ride on a mare.’ That is what is written: “To a mare in Pharaoh's chariots.” Pharaoh then rode on a red horse, on a white horse, or on a black one. As it were, the Holy One blessed be He revealed Himself on a red, white, and black horse. That is what is written: “You trampled in the sea with Your horses” (Habakkuk 3:15), interchanging horses.
The wicked Pharaoh emerged with armor and a helmet; as it were, the same is true of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated; “He donned righteousness like armor [and a helmet of salvation on His head]” (Isaiah 59:17). [Pharaoh] brought naphtha;²⁴⁸A flammable liquid, which he brought in order to use in battle. as it were, the same is true of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “Hail and coals of fire passed through His clouds” (Psalms 18:13). [Pharaoh] brought catapult stones; as it were, the same is true of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “And the Lord provided thunder and hail” (Exodus 9:23). [Pharaoh brought] swords and spears; as it were, the same is true of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “Many bolts of lightning” (Psalms 18:15). [Pharaoh] brought arrows; as it were, the same is true of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “He shot His arrows” (Psalms 18:15). Rabbi Levi said: “He shot his arrows and dispersed them” (Psalms 18:15) [teaches] that the arrows would scatter them; “many bolts of lightning and they confounded them” (Psalms 18:15) teaches that they would confuse them and confound them. He removed their banners²⁴⁹Without the banners, the formation of their camp disintegrated. and they did not know what they were doing.
Pharaoh emerged in full armor; as it were, the same is true of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord will emerge like a mighty man” (Isaiah 42:13). [Pharaoh] thundered with his voice; as it were, the same is true of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord would thunder from the heavens” (II Samuel 22:14). [Pharaoh] heartened them [his soldiers] with his voice; as it were, [the same is true of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated]: The Most High would project His voice” (II Samuel 22:14). Pharaoh emerged with fury; as it were, [the same is true of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated:] “With fury You trod the earth” (Habakkuk 3:12). [Pharaoh emerged] with a bow; as it were, [the same is true of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated:] “Your bow will be bared” (Habakkuk 3:9). [Pharaoh emerged] with shield and armor; as it were, [the same is true of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated:] “Grasp Your shield and armor” (Psalms 35:2). [Pharaoh emerged] with a flashing spear; as it were, [the same is true of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated:] “The glow of the flash of Your spear” (Habakkuk 3:11).
Rabbi Berekhya [said] in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman: When Paharaoh exhausted all his weapons, the Holy One blessed be He began exalting over him. He said to him: ‘Wicked one, do you have wind, do you have a cherub, do you have wings?’ From where did the Holy One blessed be He cause them to fly [to the sea]? Rabbi Yudan said: The Holy One blessed be He removed them from between the wheels of the Divine Chariot and flew them at the sea. Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa said: One who is flesh and blood rides upon something that carries him, and it is an item that has substance; however, the Holy One blessed be He is not so; He carries what He rides upon, and He rides upon an item that has no substance. That is what is written: “He mounted a cherub and flew, and He soared on wings of wind” (Psalms 18:11).
One verse says: “He soared [on wings of wind]” and one verse says: “He was seen on wings of wind” (II Samuel 22:11). In what sense can both verses be reconciled? Rabbi Aḥa said: From here [it may be derived] that the Holy One blessed be He has had many worlds and He emerges to be seen in them.

A mortal king is praised as mighty, though he may be weak, and as rich, merciful, and handsome, because they wish to flatter him. But concerning the Holy One, blessed be He, they say: The great God, the mighty God, and the awful (Deut. 10:17); The Lord will go forth as a mighty man (Isa. 42:13); There is none like unto thee, O Lord (Jer. 10:6). They say He is rich, and indeed there are no limits to his wealth, For behold, unto the Lord thy God belongeth the heaven, and the heaven of heavens (Deut. 10:14). And it is written also: The sea is His, and He made it, and His hands formed the dry land (Ps. 95:5); The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof (ibid. 24:1); Mine is the silver, and Mine is the gold (Hag. 2:8); Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son (Ezek. 18:4).

(Lev. 22:28:) “In the case of an animal from the herd or the flock, [you shall not slaughter] it and its offspring on the same day.”⁶⁶Although the nouns here are masculine singular and would normally read: IN THE CASE OF A BULL OR A SHEEP, Rashi understands the verse as only prohibiting the slaughter of a female beast and its offspring on the same day. Others like Ibn Ezra understand the prohibition in the verse as referring to both sexes. For a discussion of the two interpretations, see Hul. 78b-80a. This text is related (to Prov. 12:10), “A righteous one regards the life of his beast, but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.”⁶⁷Lev. R. 27:11: PRK 9:11. “A righteous one regards the life of his beast.” This refers to the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is written in the Torah (in Deut. 22:6 with reference to birds), “you shall not take the mother with the young.”⁶⁸Cf. Tos. Meg. 25a. “But the compassion of the wicked is cruel.” This refers to Sennacherib, of whom it is written (in Hos. 10:14), “the mother was dashed to pieces with the children.” “A righteous one regards the life of his beast.” This refers to the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is written in the Torah (in Lev. 22:28), “In the case of an animal from the herd or the flock, [you shall not slaughter] it and its offspring….” “But the compassion of the wicked is cruel.” This refers to Haman, of whom it is written (in Esth. 3:13), “to destroy and to annihilate [all the Jews].” R. Levi said, “Woe to the wicked, because they devise secret plans against Israel.⁶⁹M. Ps. 2:4. Each and every one says, ‘My plan is better than your plan.’ Esau said, ‘Cain was stupid to kill [his brother] Abel during his father's lifetime.⁷⁰Cf. Gen. R. 75:9. Did he not know that his father would be fruitful and multiply [afterwards]? I am not acting like that. Instead (in Gen. 27:41), “Let the days of mourning for my father come; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”’ Pharaoh said, ‘Esau was stupid to say, “Let the days of mourning for my father come.” Did he not know that his brother would be fruitful and multiply during his father's lifetime? I will not act like that. Instead, while they are tiny under their mothers' birthstool, I will strangle them.’ Thus it is written (in Exod. 1:22), ‘Every son born you shall throw into the Nile.’ Haman said, ‘Pharaoh was stupid to say, “Every son born [you shall throw into the Nile, but every daughter you shall keep alive].” Did he not know that, when the daughters are married to men,⁷¹According to Yafat Toar, this means foreign men, but it appears to me to be speaking about older Jewish men who were born before this decree (Ed. FN). they are fruitful and multiply through them. I will not act like that. Instead, [I will act] (in Esth. 3:13), “to destroy and to annihilate [all the Jews, young and old, children and women, on a single day].”’” R. Levi said, “Gog and Magog as well are going to say the same, ‘The former ones were stupid because they devised secret plans against Israel. Did they not know that they have a Patron⁷²Lat.: patronus. in the heavens? I will not act like that. First I will join in battle with their Patron, and after that I will join in battle with them.’” Thus it is written (in Ps. 2:2), “The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “O wicked one, have you come to Me to join in battle?⁷³Rt.: ZWG. The root more commonly refers to joining in wedlock as does the Greek verb, zeugnunai. By your life I will wage war with you,” as stated (in Is. 42:13), “The Lord shall go forth like a warrior […].” It also says (in Zech. 14:3) “Then the Lord will come forth and fight with those nations.”

O my dove, in the cranny of the rocks (Song of Songs 2:14): This is that which is stated in the verse (Psalms 18:3), "The Lord is my rock and my fortress." Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat said, "Israel said to Moshe, 'What have you done to us? Now they are coming and doing to us like what we did to them, as we have killed their first-born and taken their money. Is it not you that said to us, "Each woman shall borrow from her neighbor and the lodger in her house" (Exodus 3:23).' He said to them, 'You do not need [to do anything], but you should stand and be silent and the Holy One, blessed be He will [fight] your wars,' as it is stated (Exodus 14:14), 'The Lord will fight for you and you shall be quiet.' That is [the meaning of] 'and the Children of Israel yelled out' (Exodus 14.10)." Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said, "To what is this matter comparable? To the daughter of a king that was passing on a road, and brigands took her as a [captive]. She began to yell out to the king. The king said, 'This is what I desired.' So [too] with Israel. They were subjugated in Egypt [and] placed their eyes towards the Heavens, as it is stated (Exodus 2:23), 'and the Children of Israel groaned from the work and screamed.' [So] the Holy One, blessed be He, took them out and desired to hear their prayer [again]. But they did not pray. What did He do? He agitated Pharaoh and his army against them and they pursued them. As it is stated (Exodus 14:10), 'As Pharaoh drew close (hikriv).' As he drew the Children of Israel close to prayer. Immediately, 'and the Children of Israel cried out to the Lord.'" Hence it is written, "O my dove, in the cranny of the rocks, hidden by the cliff, let me see your appearance, let me hear your voice," that same voice that I heard in Egypt. Immediately the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moshe (Exodus 14:16), "And you lift up your rod and hold out your arm over the sea and split it, so that the Children of Israel may come into the sea on dry ground." And the Holy One, blessed be He, made war with Pharaoh, destroyed [his army], trounced them in the sea and saved Israel. That is [the meaning of] that which is written (Psalms 140:8), "God, my Lord, the strength of my deliverance, You protected my head on the day of weapons (nashek)," [meaning] the day of the war at the sea. As it is stated (Psalms 78:9), "The Children of Ephraim, warriors (noshkei) lifting their bows." Everything that Pharaoh was doing, the Holy One, blessed be He would [also] do. Pharaoh came out like a warrior; and the Holy One, blessed be He, is like a warrior, as it is stated (Isaiah 42:13), "The Lord goes forth like a warrior, like a man of war He whips up His rage," as only upon Pharaoh did He first make known His strength. At the time of war, He is called a man, as it is stated (Exodus 26:3), "The Lord is a man of war, the Lord is His name." Pharaoh went forth dressed in tin-plated armor; and the Holy One, blessed be He, likewise, as it is stated (Habakuk 3:11), "as Your arrows fly in brightness, Your flashing spear in brilliance." Pharaoh went forth with catapult stones; and the Holy One, blessed be He, went forth with stones of elgavish and hail stones. Pharaoh rode on a horse; and the Holy One, blessed be He, upon a cherub, as it is stated (Psalms 18:11), "He rode on a cherub and flew." Upon what did Pharaoh ride? Upon a female mare, as it is stated (Song of Songs 1:9), "To a mare in Pharaoh’s chariots have I likened you, my darling." Another interpretation [of] "To a mare in Pharaoh's chariots": What is [the meaning of] "to a mare?" Rather the Holy One, blessed be He, saw that Pharaoh did not want to enter the sea. [So] what did the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He rode upon a light cloud and transformed it into a mare. And He stood [it] in front of the horses of the troops. And the horses ran after the mare, and the Holy One, blessed be He, descended into the sea with the horses [coming] after Him [to pursue the mare]. Hence, "to a mare," [meaning a] female. Another interpretation [of] "To a mare in Pharaoh's chariots": Pharaoh said to his troops, "What is the lightest (fastest) animal upon which to ride, so that I can go forth and chase the Children of Israel?" They said to him, "A mare, as there is nothing like it in the world." Therefore (due to her speed) the males were following her. And Pharaoh rode [speedily] like the gazelles. And the Holy One, blessed be He, also did this. The Holy One, blessed be He, said in front of the ministering angels, "Which among all of the creatures that serve in front of Me is light?" They said to Him, "Is it not revealed in front of You, that there is none among all of the creatures that serve in front of You that is as light as the cherub that comes out from under the wings of the cherubs." [So] the Holy One, blessed be He, rode upon the cherub and beat the horse of Pharaoh and all of his troops, as it is stated (Exodus 15:19), "For the horse of Pharaoh, with his chariots and horsemen, went into the sea." And it is [also] stated (Psalms 136:15), "And He shook Pharaoh and his army in the Reed Sea." Moshe said to them, "Is this not what I told you (Exodus 14:14), 'and you shall be quiet.' There is nothing for you to do except to stand silently, and the Holy One blessed be He, will [fight] your wars." Therefore he said to them, "When you enter the land and see many multitudes and horses and chariots, do not be afraid of them," as it is stated (Deuteronomy 20:1), "When you go out to war and you see horse and chariot, a people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them, as the Lord, your God is with you." Hence (Proverbs 21:31), "The horse is readied for the day of battle, but the salvation comes from the Lord."

[Another interpretation] (of Prov. 12:10): A RIGHTEOUS ONE REGARDS < THE LIFE OF HIS CATTLE >. This refers to the Holy One, who said (in Lev. 22:28): IN THE CASE OF AN ANIMAL FROM THE HERD OR THE FLOCK, < YOU SHALL NOT SLAUGHTER > IT AND ITS OFFSPRING…. (Prov. 12:10, cont.:) BUT THE COMPASSION OF THE WICKED IS CRUEL. This refers to Haman, of whom it is written (in Esth. 3:13): TO DESTROY AND TO ANNIHILATE < ALL THE JEWS >… < ON A SINGLE DAY >. R. Levi said: Woe to the wicked, because they devise secret plans against Israel.⁷⁸M. Ps. 2:4. Each and every one says: My plan is better than your plan. Esau said: Cain was stupid to kill [his brother] Abel during his father's lifetime.⁷⁹Cf. Gen. R. 75:9. Did he not know that his father would be fruitful and multiply? I am not acting like that. Instead < he said > (in Gen. 27:41): PLEASE⁸⁰Na. The word is added to the Masoretic Text. LET THE DAYS OF MOURNING FOR MY FATHER COME; [THEN I WILL KILL MY BROTHER JACOB]. Pharaoh said: Esau was stupid to say: LET THE DAYS OF MOURNING [FOR MY FATHER] COME. Did he not know that his brother would be fruitful and multiply during his father's lifetime? I will not act like that. Instead, while they are tiny under their mothers' birthstool, I will strangle them. Thus it is written (in Exod. 1:22): EVERY SON BORN YOU SHALL THROW INTO THE NILE … Haman said: Pharaoh was stupid to say: EVERY SON BORN < YOU SHALL THROW INTO THE NILE >, [BUT EVERY DAUGHTER YOU SHALL KEEP ALIVE]. Did he not know that, when the daughters are married to men, they are fruitful and multiply through them. I will not act like that. Instead, < I will act > (in Esth. 3:13): TO DESTROY AND TO ANNIHILATE [ALL THE JEWS, YOUNG AND OLD, CHILDREN AND WOMEN, ON A SINGLE DAY]. R. Levi said: Gog [and Magog] as well are going to say the same: The former ones were stupid because they devised secret plans against Israel. Did they not know that they have a patron⁸¹Lat.: patronus. in the heavens? I will not act like that. First I will join in battle with their patron, and after that I will join in battle with them. Thus it is written (in Ps. 2:2): THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TAKE THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS TAKE COUNSEL TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS ANOINTED. The Holy One said to him: O wicked one, have you come to me to join in battle?⁸²Rt.: ZWG. The root more commonly refers to joining in wedlock as does the Greek verb, zeugnunai. By your life I will wage war with you, as stated (in Is. 42:13): THE LORD SHALL GO FORTH LIKE A WARRIOR…. It also says (in Zech. 14:3): THEN THE LORD WILL COME FORTH AND FIGHT WITH THOSE NATIONS AS WHEN HE FIGHTS IN THE DAY OF BATTLE.

Rabbi Chalafta said, "Blessed is the name of the Holy One, blessed be He; as there is nothing like His miracles and His wonders and there is nothing like His heroic deeds and His actions, as it is stated (Psalms 147:5), 'Great is our master and of abundant power.' The Holy One, blessed be He, is holy and pure and extended His arms against the impure. Why? Because He is great and awesome. And for the sake of Israel, He let His power be known. And why for the sake of Israel? Since He said to Yakov (Genesis 46:4), 'And I will go down with you to Egypt,' and He [fights] the wars of Israel: [Only] one angel overturned Sodom, but here (Isaiah 42:13), 'The Lord will go out like a warrior; like a man of war, He will arouse His jealousy.'"