Midrash sobre Amós 7:7

R. Juda b. Idi said, in the name of R. Jochanan: "Ten journeys did the Shechina make [prior to its disappearance]. This we infer from Biblical passages, and a corresponding number of times were the Sanhedrin exiled. This we know by tradition. The ten journeys which the Shechina made are as follows: From the Kapporeth (cover of the Holy Ark) to the Cherub; from the Cherub to the threshold of the Temple; from the threshold of the Temple to the Temple-court; from the Temple-yard to the altar; from the altar to the roof (of the Temple); from the roof to the fortification wall; from the fortification wall to the city of Jerusalem; from the city of Jerusalem to the Temple mound; from the Temple mound to the wilderness, and thence it finally ascended heaven and occupied its place; as it is said (Has. 5, 15) I will go [from here] and return to my place." "From the Kaporeth to the Cherub, and from the Cherub to the threshold of the Temple," as it is written (Ex. 25, 22) And I will meet with them there, and I will speak with thee from, above the Kaporeth; and it is also written (Ez. 9, 3) And the glory of the God of Israel ascended up from the Cherub, wherefore it was to the threshold of the House. "From the threshold to the Temple-court," as it is written (Ib. 10, 4) Then the glory of the Lord rose upward from the Cherub toward the threshold of the House, and the House was filled with the clouds, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord's glory. "From the Temple-court to the Altar," as it is written (Amos 9, 1) I saw the Lord standing upon the altar. "From the altar to the roof," as it is written (Pr. 25, 24) It is better to dwell in the corner of a roof. "From the roof to the Temple-mound," as it is written (Amos 7, 7) And behold, the Lord was standing upon a wall. "From the Temple-mound to the city of Jerusalem," as it is written (Micha 6, 9) The voice of the Lord calleth unto the city. "From the city to the Temple-mound," as it is written (Ez. 11, 23) And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain. "From the Temple-mound to the wilderness," as it is written (Pr. 21, 19) It is better to dwell in a desert land, etc.; and it finally ascended to heaven and occupied its place; as it is said (Hos. 5, 15) I will go (from here) and return to my place, till they acknowledge their guilt."

R. Abahu declared: There are three wrongs before which the curtain (that veils the throne of God) is never closed—robbery, and idolatry, and gouging. About gouging it is written: Thus He showed me; and behold, the Lord stood beside a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in His hand (Amos 7:7); concerning robbery it is written: Violence and theft is heard within her before Me continually (Jer. 6:7); and with reference to idolatry it is written: A people who provokest Me to My face continually, that sacrifice in gardens, etc. (Isa. 65:3).

R. Chisda said: "All gates are closed for prayers except for him who cries of being cheated, as it is said (Amos 7, 7) Behold the Lord stood beside a wall of Anach, and in his hand was an Anach." Said R. Elazar: "All sinners are punished through a messenger, except the cheater, who is punished by the Lord Himself, as it reads: And hte Anach is in His hand." R. Abahu said: "For the following three the petition of the Shechina is not shut [to conceal them]: Cheating, robbery, and idolatry. Cheating, as mentioned above — Anach in His hand; robbery, as it is written (Jer. 6, 7) Violence and robbery are heard in her; in my presence there are continually disease and wounds; and idolatry, as it is written (Is. 65, 3) The people that provoke Me to anger to My face continually ."