שׁוּבָ֣ה יְ֭הוָה אֶת־שבותנו [שְׁבִיתֵ֑נוּ] כַּאֲפִיקִ֥ים בַּנֶּֽגֶב׃
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Shemot Rabbah
“You shall not afflict any widow or orphan” (Exodus 22:21).
“You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.” Rabbi Yosei says: Why does God love orphans and widows? It is because their eyes are directed exclusively to Him, as it is stated: “Father of orphans, Judge of widows” (Psalms 68:6). Therefore, anyone who robs them, robs the Holy One blessed be He, as He is their Father in Heaven, and He becomes angry with him, as it is stated: “My wrath will be enflamed and I will kill you” (Exodus 22:23). This is analogous to the daughter of kings who sinned against her father and he banished her.30This translation is based on an emendation to the Hebrew text accepted by many commentaries (see Yefe To’ar; Rabbi David Luria; Maharzu). She had children and she cast them upon him and left. When [the king] would see them, it was as though he would see his daughter before him. If anyone would touch them, [the king] would exact retribution against him. So too, Israel was in Zion and the Holy One blessed be He was resting in their midst, as it is stated: “This is My resting place forever” (Psalms 132:14). When they sinned, He banished them, and they cast their children upon Him, as it is stated: “We have become orphans, with no father; our mothers are like widows” (Lamentations 5:3). When He sees Israel performing mitzvot, He regrets what He did in Zion and seeks merit for it, as it is stated: “I have returned to Zion, I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem” (Zechariah 8:3). Likewise David said: “Return, Lord, our captives” (Psalms 126:4).31This is expounded to mean that the Lord should return His presence to Zion while He is returning the Jewish captives.
“You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.” Rabbi Yosei says: Why does God love orphans and widows? It is because their eyes are directed exclusively to Him, as it is stated: “Father of orphans, Judge of widows” (Psalms 68:6). Therefore, anyone who robs them, robs the Holy One blessed be He, as He is their Father in Heaven, and He becomes angry with him, as it is stated: “My wrath will be enflamed and I will kill you” (Exodus 22:23). This is analogous to the daughter of kings who sinned against her father and he banished her.30This translation is based on an emendation to the Hebrew text accepted by many commentaries (see Yefe To’ar; Rabbi David Luria; Maharzu). She had children and she cast them upon him and left. When [the king] would see them, it was as though he would see his daughter before him. If anyone would touch them, [the king] would exact retribution against him. So too, Israel was in Zion and the Holy One blessed be He was resting in their midst, as it is stated: “This is My resting place forever” (Psalms 132:14). When they sinned, He banished them, and they cast their children upon Him, as it is stated: “We have become orphans, with no father; our mothers are like widows” (Lamentations 5:3). When He sees Israel performing mitzvot, He regrets what He did in Zion and seeks merit for it, as it is stated: “I have returned to Zion, I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem” (Zechariah 8:3). Likewise David said: “Return, Lord, our captives” (Psalms 126:4).31This is expounded to mean that the Lord should return His presence to Zion while He is returning the Jewish captives.
Midrash Tehillim
"The Lord has returned our captivity. Rabbi Yitzchak said: The day of rain is as great as the resurrection of the dead, as it is written: "The Lord has returned our captivity as streams in the Negev." And there are no streams except for rain, as it says: "And they saw the streams of the sea." Those who sow in tears will reap with joy. Rabbi Yehuda said: When a bull walks and cries, on its return it eats from the same mound. Another explanation: Those who sow in tears are referring to Jacob, who sowed blessings with tears. "He will reap with joy" (Genesis 27:28) and God will give you. "He went, he walked, and he cried" (Genesis 29:11) and he raised his voice and wept. The one who sows will bear the burden of the seed, as the tribes are compared to a burden. He who comes, comes with joy, bearing his sheaves. I implore my worlds and all worlds."