Pensamento Judaico sobre Isaías 65:10

Flocks and cattle, all of them, and also the beasts of the field – It is difficult to understand what is added by the phrase, and also the beasts of the field. Moreover, why is [that phrase introduced by the words] “and also”? [In resolution,] it appears that from [the word] “also” onward, the psalm is relating prophecies of the Ultimate Future. [Hence, the phrase] the beasts of the field refers to “the beast [that pastures] on a thousand mountains,”⁵⁴Tehillim 50:10. The verse is translated according to the understanding of our Sages cited in the following footnote. mentioned in Psalm 50. Our Sages⁵⁵Vayikra Rabbah 22:10. interpret [that phrase as referring to “the wild ox”] which will be prepared for [the feast of] the righteous in the Ultimate Future, as stated in Tractate Bava Basra.⁵⁶Bava Basra 74b. Although [our Sages] speak only of one beast pasturing on one thousand mountains, the verse [uses the plural form, “beasts”]. The Sages’ statement can be understood as an exaggeration, indicating that each of these beasts will pasture on a thousand mountains each day, [since the text itself is describing many beasts pasturing on those one thousand mountains]. A similar [interpretation can be given for the phrase in the following verse in psalm 50],⁵⁷Tehillim 50:11. Here as well, we are translating the verse according to the interpretation found in Vayikra Rabbah, loc. cit. וְזִיז שָׂדַי עִמָּדִי, “the giant fowl of the field are with Me.” Yonasan ben Uziel translates [that phrase as referring to] “the wild rooster whose feet rest on the ground and whose head reaches the heaven.” Similarly, [this fowl is mentioned] in Tractate Bava Basra,⁵⁸Bava Basra 73b. [and] it is also alluded to [in this psalm with the phrase] the fowl of the heavens. Why should we not say that the meat of [this] fowl will be included in the feast [for the righteous in the Ultimate Future]? Just like the meat of fish – the Leviathan and its mate, the fish of the sea [mentioned in this psalm – the meat of fowl will also be served at this feast,] as I will explain shortly. On this basis, we can also understand why this phrase is introduced by the words and also [as mentioned above]. For [the phrase and also indicates] something significant, and to be included as part of this feast is certainly a significant matter.