Midrash su Salmi 68:7

R. Jochanan (and according to others, R. Elazar), said: "The wife of a man does not die [frequently] unless he is requested to pay [his donation] and has not to pay, as it is said (Prov. 22, 27) If thou have nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?" R. Jochanan said again: "To him whose first wife dies, it is as if the Temple had been destroyed in his days, as it is said (Ezek. 24, 10) I will take away from thee the desire of thy eyes, etc., and (Ib.) And when I had spoken unto the people in the morning, my wife died at evening; and (Ib. 21) I will profane my sanctuary, the pride of your strength, the desire of your eyes." R. Alexandrai said: "To him whose wife dies, the world around him is dark, as it is said (Job 18, 6) The light becometh dark in his tent, and his lamp will be quenched above him." R. Jose b. Chanina said: Also his steps become shortened, as immediately it reads: The steps of his strength shall be narrowed. And R. Abahu said: "Also his advice is no more of use; as the end of the verse cited reads: And his own counsel shall cast him down." Rabba b. b. Chana said in the name of R. Jochanan: "Joining couples is as difficult as the dividing of the Red Sea, as it is said (Ps. 68, 7) God places those who are solitary in the midst of their families: He bringeth out those who are bound unto happiness. Do not read Motzi Assirim (bringeth out those who are bound), but read it K' motzi Assirim (like bringing out those who are bound). Do not read Bakosharoth (into happiness), but read B'chi V'shiruth (weeping and singing); i.e., at the Red Sea they wept first and then sang." Is this so? Has not R. Juda said in the name of Rab: "Forty days before the embryo is formed, a heavenly voice goes forth and says: 'This and that daughter to this and that son.'" This is not difficult to explain. The latter deals with the first marriage, and the former with the second marriage. R. Samuel b. Nachman said: "For everything there may be an exchange, but not for the wife of one's youth, as it is said (Is. 54, 6) And as a wife of one's youth that was rejected." R. Juda taught to his son, R. Isaac: "One can find pleasure only in his first wife, as it is said (Prov. 5, 18) Thy fountain will be blessed; and rejoice with the wife (Ib. b) of thy youth." "Whom do you mean?" his son asked, and he answered: "Your mother." Is that so? Did not R. Juda teach to R. Isaac his son (Ecc. 7, 26) And I find as more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, etc? And the latter asked him: "Who, for an example?" He answered: "Like your mother." True, she was irascible, but was easily appeased with a word. R. Samuel b. Unya said in the name of Rab: "A woman [unmarried] is an unfinished vessel, and she makes a covenant with [cares for] none but him who made her a vessel; as it is said (Is. 54, 5) For thy husband is thy master," etc. There is a Baraitha; No one feels the death of a man more than his wife, and no one feels the death of a woman more than her hushaud. No one feels the death of a man more than his wife, as it is said (Ruth 1, 3) Thereupon died Elimelcch, Naomi's husband; and no one feels the death of a woman more than her husband, as it is said (Gen. 48, 7) And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me.

(Exodus 13:3) "This day you go out in the month of Aviv (spring)": Let this not be written (i.e., Why is it needed?) (To signify) a month that is kasher — neither burning sun nor (heavy) rains. And thus is it written (Psalms 68:7) "G d settles the solitary in their homes. He takes out the bound bakosharoth." What is the intent of "bakosharoth"? A month that is kasher for you. Neither burning sun nor (heavy) rains. R. Nathan says "bakosharoth": These (the Egyptians) crying ("bacho"); the others (Israel) singing ("meshorerim"). The Egyptians crying, viz. (Numbers 33:4) "And the Egyptians were burying, etc." And Israel singing, viz. (Psalms 118:15) "A sound of song and salvation in the tents of the righteous." (Ibid.) "The right hand of the L rd is uplifted" — over Egypt. R. Nathan says: "bakosharoth" — by the deeds of the "kesheiroth" (the virtuous women) among them. Rebbi says: in the merit of the mirrors of "the congregating women," viz. (Numbers 38:8). R. Elazar b. Azaryah says: In the merit of our father Abraham He took them out of Egypt, viz. (Psalms 105: 42-43) "For He remembered His sacred word to Abraham His servant, and He took out His people in gladness, His chosen ones, in song." R. Shimon b. Yochai says: He took them out in the merit of (the mitzvah of) circumcision, viz. (Ezekiel 16:6) "And I passed by you, and I saw you steeped in your blood, etc." Variantly: With zeal (that of the L rd) did Israel leave Egypt, viz. (Exodus 13:3) "For with strength of hand did the L rd take you out of here." Variantly: With their own zeal did they leave Egypt, viz. (Ibid. 12:15) "And thus shall you eat it, your thighs, girded (ready for the road), etc." Variantly (Psalms 68:7) "G d settles the solitary in their homes. He takes out the bound bakosharoth. But rebels dwelling in dryness, etc.": They were rebels, in spite of which He dealt with them with "kashruth." And thus is it written (Ezekiel 20:7-9) "And I said to them: Let each of you cast away the abominations of his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt … and they rebelled against Me and would not listen to Me. They did not cast away the abominations of their eyes and they did not abandon the idols of Egypt … But I wrought for the sake of My name, that it not be profaned in the eyes of nations in whose midst they were, having made Myself known to them before their eyes to take them out of the land of Egypt." They were rebels — but He dealt with them with "kashruth."

When thou takest the sum (Exod. 30:12).¹¹This entire section is to be found almost verbatim in Pesikta de-Rav Kahana, pisha 2:4–5. R. Jonah began to discuss the verse For God is judge; He putteth down one, and lifteth up another (Ps. 75:8). A Roman matron asked R. Yosé the son of Halafta: “In how many days did the Holy One, blessed be He, create the world?” “In six days,” he replied, “as it is said: For in six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth (Exod. 20:11).” “What has he been doing since that time?” she queried. “He has been uniting couples and making one man wealthy and another poor,” he responded. Whereupon she retorted: “I too am able to do this. I have many slaves and maid servants, and I can couple them all on this very night. What He has been doing since the time of creation, I can do easily in one hour.” “It may appear a simple matter to you,” he replied, “but to Him it is as difficult as splitting the Red Sea, for it is written: God maketh the solitary to dwell in a house (Ps. 68:7).”