Midrash sa Ezekiel 16:8: Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Vayikra Rabbah & Shemot Rabbah

(Exodus 12:6) "And it shall be to you for a keeping": Why does the taking of the Pesach precede its slaughtering by four days? R. Matia b. Charash says: It is written (Ezekiel 16:8) "And I passed by you and I saw you, and behold, your time was the time for love": There had arrived the (time for the fulfillment of the) oath that the Holy One Blessed be He had sworn to our father Abraham to redeem his children. But they had no mitzvoth to engage in, which would enable their redemption, viz. (Ibid. 7) "Your breasts were firm" (an allusion to Moses and Aaron), "and your hair had sprouted" (an allusion to the elders), but you were naked and bare" (of mitzvoth). And the Holy One Blessed be He gave them two mitzvoth — the blood of the Paschal lamb and the blood of circumcision to engage in for their redemption. Thus (Ibid. 6) "And I passed by you and I saw you steeped in your blood." And it is written (Zechariah 9:11) "You, too — By the blood of your covenant I have sent forth your bound ones from the waterless pit." Therefore, the Holy One Blessed be He commanded the taking of the Pesach four days before its slaughtering, for reward is given only for the act.

Rabbi Pinḥas interpreted the verse regarding Israel before Mount Sinai. “And if a person will sin” – “I saw, and, behold, you had sinned” (Deuteronomy 9:16). “And hear the voice of adjuration” – “and His voice we heard from the midst of the fire” (Deuteronomy 5:21). Rabbi Yoḥanan said: They made a commitment between them that He would not disavow them and they would not disavow Him. Rabbi Yitzḥak said: When a king administers an oath to his legions, he administers the oath only with a sword, as though to say, anyone who violates these conditions, this sword will pass over his neck. So too, “Moses took half the blood” (Exodus 24:6).
How did Moses know how much was half the blood? Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Ilai said: The blood divided on its own. Rabbi Natan said: Its appearance changed; half of it became black and half of it was red. Bar Kappara said: An angel descended in the image of Moses and divided it. Rabbi Yitzḥak said: A voice was emerging from Mount Ḥorev and saying: Half the blood is until here. Rabbi Yishmael taught: Moses was well versed in the halakhot of blood, and he divided it.¹⁵Due to his expertise in the halakhot concerning the blood of sacrifices and the fact that he needed to conduct the ceremony at Mount Sinai, Moses was given Divine aid in dividing the blood (see Etz Yosef). “He placed it in the basins [baaganot]” (Exodus 24:6) – Rabbi Huna in the name of Rabbi Avin: It is written baaganat.¹⁶The plural word “basins [baaganot]” is written without the vav and can therefore be read in the singular [baaganat], implying that the basins were as one, in that they were the same size. This one was not larger than that one, and that one was not larger than this one. Moses said before the Holy One blessed be He: ‘What shall be done with Your portion?’ He said to him: ‘Sprinkle it upon the people.’ ‘What shall be done with their portion?’ He said to him: ‘Sprinkle it upon the altar.’ “And half the blood he sprinkled on the altar.”
Rabbi Berekhya and Rabbi Ḥiyya in the name of Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina: He took an oath to them and they took an oath to Him. He took an oath to them, “I took an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you; the utterance of the Lord God” (Ezekiel 16:8). They took an oath to Him, to the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “To pass you into the covenant of the Lord your God and into His ala” (Deuteronomy 29:11). From where is it derived that ala is nothing other than an oath? Rabbi Neḥemya and Rav Naḥman of Yafo in the name of Rabbi Yaakov of Caesarea: From this: “The priest shall administer to the woman the oath of the ala” (Numbers 5:21). When they violated the conditions made at Mount Sinai, the Holy One blessed be He said to them: “I, too, will do so to you” (Leviticus 26:16). Rabbi Pinḥas said: It is written: “But they, like men, have violated the covenant” (Hosea 6:7); however, here, “for I am God and not man” (Hosea 11:9).
Rabbi Ahava bar Ze’eira said: It is written: “The Lord has done what He devised” (Lamentations 2:17), just as it is written in His Torah: “I will punish [you] additionally” (Leviticus 26:18). Did He do so? Heaven forbid. Rather, “He implemented His statement” (Lamentations 2:17). What is: “He implemented [bitza] His statement [emrato]”? He made a compromise.¹⁷The word bitza can mean “he halved.” Thus, the verse would be saying that God implemented only half of His statement concerning the punishment to which Israel would be subject. Rabbi Yaakov of Kefar Ḥanin said: He rent [biza] His royal garment.¹⁸Imra is the Aramaic term for the hem of a garment.
Rabbi Berekhya cites it from this: “I will bring upon you a sword avenging the vengeance of the covenant” (Leviticus 26:25). Rabbi Ḥiyya taught: There is vengeance that is for the covenant and vengeance that is not for the covenant. Which is the vengeance that is not for the covenant? Rabbi Azarya and Rabbi Aḥa said in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan: This is the blinding of the eyes, as they blinded the eyes of the king of Judah,¹⁹The Babylonians blinded Zedekiah, king of Judah (II Kings 25:7). as it is stated: “So said the Lord God: As I live, if not My oath that he scorned [and My covenant that he breached I will place upon his head]” (Ezekiel 17:19) – this is the oath that he took to Nebuchadnezzar.²⁰Zedekiah had violated an oath of allegiance he had taken to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylonia. He was punished for this in addition to being punished for violating the covenant between God and Israel. “And My covenant that he breached” – this is the covenant of Mount Sinai. “I will place upon his head” – and the rest of the body was not afflicted? Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman in the name of Rabbi Yonatan: This is the blinding of the eyes, which are located on the head.
Once they were exiled to Babylon, they said to Nebuchadnezzar: “Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need [to answer you].… Behold our God.… Behold; if not, let it be known to you, king, that we will not worship your gods” (Daniel 3:16–18).²¹This statement was made by Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya in response to Nebuchadnezzar’s threat that if they would not bow to his idol he would have them thrown into a fiery furnace. The Holy One blessed be He said to them:²²Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya. “You too, for the blood of your covenant” (Zechariah 9:11), I have remembered that blood that was in Sinai; therefore, “I have released [your prisoners from the pit] in which there is no water” (Zechariah 9:11). Rabbi Pinḥas said: It shall no longer be that “they spilled their blood like water around Jerusalem” (Psalms 79:3).
“And he is a witness” – this is Israel: “You are My witnesses, the utterance of the Lord, and I am God” (Isaiah 43:12). “Who either saw [raa]” – “you have been shown [horeita] in order to know” (Deuteronomy 4:35). “Or knew” – “you shall know this day” (Deuteronomy 4:39). “If he does not tell, he shall bear his iniquity” – if you do not tell of My divinity to the nations of the world, I will exact vengeance against you. When? “When they say to you: Seek the necromancers” (Isaiah 8:19).

Another matter, “behold, I will rain down bread for you.” That is what is written: “He will dwell On High…[his bread is given, his waters assured]” (Isaiah 33:16). That is what is written: “He raises the poor from dust” (I Samuel 2:8), these are Israel, who were sunken in mortar and bricks in Egypt, and the Holy One blessed be He took them out with their heads held high, as it is stated: “I led you out with your heads held high” (Leviticus 26:13), that is, “He raises the poor from dust.”
The Holy One blessed be He set limits for Jacob and said to him: “Your descendants shall be like the dust of the earth” (Genesis 28:14). When your descendants reach the dust of the earth, at that moment: “You shall spread westward and eastward” (Genesis 28:14), that is, “He raises the poor from dust.” The Holy One blessed be He elevated them above everything, as it is stated: “The Lord your God [will set you above all the nations of the world]” (Deuteronomy 28:1). See what is written: “In the wilderness where you saw that the Lord your God bore you” (Deuteronomy 1:31). He said to them: ‘I have elevated you above the entire world. If you will fulfill My will, I will place you in what I created before the world was created, namely the Temple, as it is stated: “Throne of glory, exalted from the beginning is the place of our Temple” (Jeremiah 17:12), there I will elevate you, as it is stated: “And He will bequeath them the throne of glory” (I Samuel 2:8). At that time, I will provide you with the delicacies of the Garden of Eden, as it is stated: “How great is the goodness You have in store for those who fear You”’ (Psalms 31:20). That is why it said: “He will dwell On High” (Isaiah 33:16).
Another matter, “He will dwell On High,” that is what is written: “For the Lord your God is bringing you to a good and expansive land” (Deuteronomy 8:7),¹⁵The verse actually states “a good land” without “and expansive.” The phrase “a good and expansive land” is found in Exodus 3:8. to see a table that is set in the Garden of Eden, as it is stated: “I walk before the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalms 116:9). As it were, He is reclining above the patriarchs, and the patriarchs and all the righteous are in His midst [betokho], as it is stated: “They sit [tuku] at Your feet” (Deuteronomy 33:3), and He distributes portions to them. If you are astonished by this matter, did He not, in this world, recline for them between the two cherubs, as it is stated: “He will lie between my breasts” (Song of Songs 1:13), all the more so in the Garden of Eden. He brings them fruit from the Garden of Eden and He feeds them from the Tree of Life.
Who recites the blessing first? Everyone defers to the Holy One blessed be He that He should designate the one to recite the blessing, and the Holy One blessed be He says to Mikhael: ‘Recite the blessing.’ He says to Gavriel,¹⁶Mikhael tells Gavriel to recite the blessing. and Gavriel to the patriarchs of the world,¹⁷Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. and they defer to Moses and Aaron, and they to the elders. They defer to David and say: ‘Let the king on earth bless the King in Heaven.’ They give David the cup, and he says: “I will lift a cup of salvation, and I will call in the name of the Lord” (Psalms 116:13). In their regard,¹⁸With regard to those who deferred to him. David praised and said: “How great is the goodness You have in store for those who fear You” (Psalms 31:20). That is, “for the Lord your God is bringing you” (Deuteronomy 8:7). In that regard it is stated: “He will dwell On High.”
Another matter, “He will dwell On High,” that is what is written: “The wing of the songbird beats joyously [are its pinions and plumage of a stork?] For it leaves its eggs on the earth [and warms them on dust. And it forgets that a foot may crush it or a beast of the field trample it]. It is harsh to its young, as though they are not from it [its toil is in vain without fear. For God deprived it of wisdom and did not allot understanding to it]. In time, it will soar on high [and scoff at the horse and its rider]” (Job 39:13–18). This is analogous to a stork that would lay her eggs on the dust of the earth, and the passersby trampled it and destroyed it. What caused it? It is because it would lay its eggs on the ground. But if it would ascend on high and lay its eggs there, no creature would harm it, but rather, it would scoff at everything.
So too Israel, “the wing of the songbird [renanim] beats joyously [ne’elasa].” “Wing” – “I will spread My wing over you” (Ezekiel 16:8).¹⁹This verse, stated regarding Israel, indicates that the term “wing” in the verse in Job also refers to Israel. ” “The songbird [renanim]” – “rejoice in the Lord, righteous ones” (Psalms 33:1). “Joyously [ne’elasa]” – “let us delight [nitalsa] ourselves in lovemaking” (Proverbs 7:18). “Are its pinions [evra]” – “I said: Would that I had wings [ever] like a dove” (Psalms 55:7). “Stork” – “Even the stork in the heavens knows its appointed times” (Jeremiah 8:7). “For it leaves [taazov] its eggs on the earth” – “I have abandoned [azavti] My house” (Jeremiah 12:7). “And warms them on dust” – “Our soul is prostrated to the dust” (Psalms 44:26). “And it forgets that a foot may crush it” – “You forgot the Lord, your Maker” (Isaiah 51:13). “Or a beast of the field trample it,” these are the idolaters, as it is stated: “He rendered them like dust to be trampled” (II Kings 13:7). “It is harsh to its young [baneha], as though they are not from it” – “they are foolish children [banim]” (Jeremiah 4:22). “Its toil [yegia] is in vain” – “I am weary [yagati] with my groaning” (Psalms 6:7). “Without fear” – “they did not fear” (Jeremiah 36:24). “For God deprived it of wisdom” – “For My people is stupid, they do not know Me; they are foolish children, and they have no understanding; they are wise to perform evil” (Jeremiah 4:22). “And did not allot understanding to it” – “and they have no understanding” (Jeremiah 4:22).
Why all these?²⁰Why are all these negative things stated concerning Israel? It is because they have forsaken the Holy One blessed be He. However, when they repent and direct their eyes On High, just as it says: “To You, enthroned in Heaven, I lift my eyes” (Psalms 123:1), then “in time, it will soar on high” – “To place the lowly On High” (Job 5:11). “And scoff at the horse and its rider” – “these on chariots and those on horses, but we invoke the name of the Lord our God” (Psalms 20:8). That is, “He will dwell On High.”
Another matter, “He will dwell On High,” this is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “Exalted and holy I will dwell” (Isaiah 57:15). “Rocky citadels are His stronghold” (Isaiah 33:16), this is David, as it is stated: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress” (Psalms 18:3). “His bread is given” (Isaiah 33:16), this is Abraham, as it is stated: “I will take a piece of bread” (Genesis 18:5). “His water assured,” this is the Torah, as it is stated: “Ho, everyone thirsty, go to water” (Isaiah 55:1).
Another matter, “his bread is given,” this is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “He gives bread to all flesh, for His kindness is forever” (Psalms 136:25). “His water assured,” as it is stated: “He covers His upper chambers with water” (Psalms 104:3).
Another matter, “his bread is given,” this is the manna, as it is stated: “Behold, I will rain down bread for you from the heavens.” “His water assured,” as it is stated: “Rise, well, call to it” (Numbers 21:17).
Another matter, “his bread is given, his water assured,” this is the Holy One blessed be He, who orders those well-versed in Torah: ‘Do not say regarding what you have not heard, I heard.²¹Do not claim to have heard from your teacher something that you did not hear from him. Do not prohibit for others and permit for yourself. Rather, let [your words] emerge from your mouth truthfully, just as they emerged from Moses’s mouth, and I will show you beauty face to face,’ as it is stated: “Your eyes will behold a king in his beauty” (Isaiah 33:17). Israel said: ‘How can we see Your face? Did you not deliver us into the hand of Edom, of whom it is stated: “Fearsome, terrifying”’ (Daniel 7:7).²²In Daniel’s vision, Edom is represented by a terrifying beast. [God] said to them: ‘Do not fear them, as you are destined to say to Me: Where are they?’ That is what is written: “You will not see a daring people” (Isaiah 33:19), and you will see the rejoicing of Zion, as it is stated: “Look upon Zion, city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a tranquil abode” (Isaiah 33:20).