Midrash su Proverbi 24:10

Another interpretation (of Gen. 32:8 [7]): AND JACOB WAS < GREATLY > AFRAID. Our masters have said: His body became like wax.²²See Gen. R. 44:3; 65:19. Moreover, the Holy Spirit cries out (in Prov. 24:10): IF YOU ARE INDOLENT IN THE DAY OF DISTRESS (TsRH), YOUR STRENGTH IS WANTING (TsR). At that time the Holy One said to him (in Is. 41:10): FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU; BE NOT DISMAYED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I STRENGTHEN YOU, I HELP YOU…. I STRENGTHEN YOU through Michael; I HELP YOU through Gabriel. (Ibid., cont.:) AND I ALSO UPHOLD YOU THROUGH MY VICTORIOUS RIGHT HAND. (Gen. 28:15:) SEE, I AM WITH YOU. At that time (according to Gen. 32:8 [7]) HE DIVIDED THE PEOPLE WHO WERE WITH HIM. What did he do? He armed them within and clothed them with linen without. He prepared himself in three things: in prayer, with a gift,²³Gk.: doron. and for war. Where is it shown < that he prepared himself > with a gift? (In Gen. 32:22 [21]:) AND SO THE GIFT (MNHH) PASSED ON BEFORE HIM…. Where is it shown < that he prepared himself > for war? (In Gen. 32:9 [8]:) IF ESAU SHOULD COME < TO ONE CAMP (MHNH) AND DESTROY IT >…. Where is it shown < that he prepared himself > in prayer? (In Gen. 32:10 [9]:) THEN JACOB SAID: O GOD OF MY FATHER ABRAHAM, AND GOD OF MY FATHER ISAAC…. What is written after that (in vss. 11-12 [10-111])? I AM UNWORTHY OF ALL THE KINDNESSES AND ALL THE FIDELITY…. PLEASE DELIVER ME FROM THE HAND OF MY BROTHER, FROM THE HAND OF ESAU. The Holy One said to him: You have called to me. By your life, I will save you, according to what is stated (in Ps. 89:27 [26]): HE SHALL CRY TO ME, YOU ARE MY FATHER, MY GOD, AND THE ROCK OF MY SALVATION.

We are taught that Rabbi says: "Never shall a man try to acquire too many friends within his house, for it is said (Pr. 18, 24.) A man's many companions are hurtful to him." We are taught that Rabbi says: "A man should avoid appointing a supervisor over his household for had not Potiphar appointed Joseph the supervisor over his household, the trouble [he had] would not have occurred." We are taught that Rabbi says: "Why has the section referring to the Nazarite been arranged close to the section of Sota? To tell us that if one sec a Sota in her corrupted state he shall obstain from wine." Hezekiah, the son of R. Parnach, said in the name of R. Jochanan: "Why has the section referring to the Sota been arranged close to the section of Terumah and tithes?" To tell us that whoever has Terumah and tithes and does not give them to the priest will finally be obliged [to go] to the Priest on account of his wife, as it is said (Num. 5, 10.) And every man's hallowed things shall be his, and immediately succeeding this is written If the wife of any man go saide; and after this is written: Then shall the man bring his wife, etc. And moreover poverty will at last overtake him and he will become a recipient of that same thing which he refused to give, as it is said And every man's hallowed things shall be his [i.e.. And every man's hallowed things, — if he gives it not to the priest, — shall he his own, — for his own necessities]." R. Nachman b. Isaac said: "If, on the other hand, he give [deliberately the tithes to the priest], he will become rich, as it is said (Ib.) Whatever any man giveth to the priest shall belong to him, i.e., he shall have much wealth." R. Huna b. Brachia in the name of R. Elazar Hakapar said: "To him who associates the Heavenly name in his troubles (praising the Lord even for misfortune), his means of support will be doubled, as it is said (Job 22, 25.) Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shall have plenty of silver." R. Samuel b. Nachmeini said: "His maintenance will come as quickly as a bird flies; for it is said (Ib.) And thou shalt have plenty of silver." R. Tubia said in the name of R. Joshiya: "He who is careless about the study of the Torah, will have no strength to withstand a day of adversity; as it is said (Pr. 24, 10.) If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength i small." R. Ami b. Mathun in the name of Samuel said: "Even [if he weaken himself] from one meritorious deed; for it is said If thou faint, i.e., from whatever the weakening; may be."