Kaisipang Hudyo sa Isaias 1:21: Akeidat Yitzchak & Kol HaTor

Midrash Eychah Rabbati 1, relates in the name of Rabbi Levi: "Three people used the term eychah, Moses, Isaiah and Jeremiah." This could be understood by the following parable. A lady of substance had three intimate friends. One of the friends knew her when she was at the height of her beauty and wealth. The second friend knew her while she was committing all manner of excesses, over indulgence etc. The third friend knew her only when she had already fallen into disgrace. Thus, Moses saw Israel at peace, and at a high level spiritually. Yet he proclaimed "How can I alone carry the burden of your quarrels etc." (Deut 1,12) Isaiah, who knew Israel at a time when she committed all kinds of excesses, proclaimed "how has she become a harlot." (Isaiah 1,21) Jeremiah who knew Israel in disgrace proclaimed: "How lonesome and isolated has she become!" (Lamentations 1,1)

Although we have stipulated that both Heaven and earth are essential in the scheme of creation, this does not mean that they are of equal value and importance. Just as a scaffold is essential in the construction of a house, but cannot be considered as of equal value and importance to the house, so the physical universe only facilitates man's ascent to the spiritual universe. Likewise, the task of the Jewish nation is to engage only in those activities of a mundane nature that further achievement of its ultimate destiny. Making worldly matter primary, and spiritual matters secondary, or making worldly matters into an end to themselves, will not lead to the achievement of Israel's purpose in taking possession of the holy land. Apportioning Eretz Yisrael by lottery assures a fair distribution of worldly goods. When one prepares food, the ingredients as well as the correct amount of each ingredient is essential to the production of a pleasing dish. Israel's society failed to preserve this social justice, therefore even the efforts of spiritually minded people could not but result in an abhorrent dish. This, more or less is the meaning of the hyperbole employed by Ezekiel 24, 1-15.

(Jer. 5:1) “one who executes justice, who seeks faithfulness” -- That verse states: “wander about the streets of Jerusalem ..., if you see a man, ” like Gabriel, who seeks faithfulness, as revealed in the words: “a faithful city” [Isa. 1:21] which precedes: “Zion will be redeemed through justice” (Isa. 1:27). Similarly, “a righteous person lives by his faith” (Hab. 2:4). With regard to the verse: “one who executes justice, who seeks faithfulness, ” our Sages explained that it refers to men of faith [they also explained that it refers to men of truth] in Jerusalem.