מדרש אויף ישעיהו 4:1

R. Chanina b. Papa raised a contradictory objection: "It is written (Is. 21, 14) Toward him that is thirsty bring water; and further it is written (Ib. 51, 1) Every one of ye that thirsteth, come ye to the water; this implies that if one is a worthy scholar, the passage applies: toward him that is thirsty bring water [the teacher should even go to him]; but if he is not a worthy scholar, then the passage applies: every one of ye that thirsteth, come ye to the water, [only if he comes to the master should he be taught.]" R. Chanina b. Chama pointed out another contradiction: "It is "written (Prov. 5, 16) Let thy springs overflow abroad; and further it is written (Ib. 17) They will be thy own only; implying that if one is a worthy scholar, [his teachings should be allowed] to spread abroad; but if not, they should remain his own only." R. Chanina b. Idi said: "Why are the words of the Torah compared to water? It is written (Is. 21, 14) Toward him that is thirsty bring water. This teaches that just as water runs down from a higher place to a lower one, so the words of the Torah can only be retained by one who possesses a humble mind [thinks of his shortcomings]." R. Oshiya said: "Why are the words of the Torah likened unto the three liquids — water, wine, and milk? It is written (Ib.) Toward him that is thirsty bring water; and it is written (Is. Iv. 1) Yea, come, buy without money and without price wine and milk. This is to teach you, that as those three liquids can best be kept in common utensils, such as wooden or earthen vessels, so the Torah can only be restrained by those who possess a humble mind." And it is this that the daughter of Caesar once said to R. Joshua b. Chanania: "O how unbecoming that ugly vessel with glorious wisdom!" Whereupon he said to her: "My daughter, in what does the king, your father, keep his best wine?" "In earthen vessels," was her answer. And he rejoined: "The common people keep it in earthen vessels, and your father also in earthen vessels, — how is that! "In what, then, shall it be kept?" she innocently asked. "You, who are wealthy," R. Joshua remarked, "ought to keep it in silver and golden vessels!" She then told her father, and he commanded that his wine should be kept in vessels of silver and gold. Consequently it became sour. When Caesar was informed of this, he asked his daughter: "Who told you to do so?" "R. Joshua b. Chanania," she answered. Thereupon the king sent for R. Joshua b. Chanania. "Why hast thou advised her so?" he was asked. And he rejoined: "This was only an answer to the question of the princess." "But are there not men who are handsome and at the same time very scholarly?" Caesar asked. (Ib. b) "Believe me," said the Rabbi, "had they been ugly, they would have been still greater scholars." Another explanation may be given [why the words of the Torah are likened unto water, wine and milk]. Just as these three liquids, [unlike honey or oil, which, on account of its thickness, can easily be separated if anything falls in to it], are apt to become spoiled through diverted attention [should anything fall into it], so also does the Torah become forgotten by diverting attention from it (i.e., by neglect of study).

“They ravished women in Zion, maidens in the cities of Judah” (Lamentations 5:11).
“They ravished women in Zion.” Nevuzaradan commanded his legions, saying to them: ‘The God of these hates lewdness, make certain that you do not touch a married woman.’ When the women heard this, they would go and say to a man: ‘We will eat from our own, we will clothe ourselves from our own, just let us be called by your name.’ That is what is written: “Seven women will grasp one man…” (Isaiah 4:1). Except for three women who were indolent, did not do so, and were ravished. That is why it says: “They ravished women in Zion, maidens [betulot] in the cities of Judah,” betulat is written.¹³The word maidens [betulot] is written without a vav so that it can be read in the singular, betulat. Thus, the word “women” is plural, denoting two, and the word maiden is singular, implying that three women were ravished.

(Ps. 97:7, end:) {AND} ALL GODS BOW DOWN TO {YOU} [HIM]. When he judges the peoples of the world, he will judge their gods along with them, as stated (in Is. 66:16): FOR IN FIRE WILL THE LORD EXECUTE JUDGMENT….⁴²Tanh., Deut. 5:9, cont. When they are unable to remain in the fire, they fly away. Then the Holy One sends out angels with <prisoner> collars⁴³Qolarin from the Lat.: collaria; cf. colla (“necks”). and chains, and they cast them into the midst of the daylight, as stated (in Mal. 3:19 [4:1]): AND DAY THAT COMES SHALL SET THEM ABLAZE….