עִבְר֤וּ כַֽלְנֵה֙ וּרְא֔וּ וּלְכ֥וּ מִשָּׁ֖ם חֲמַ֣ת רַבָּ֑ה וּרְד֣וּ גַת־פְּלִשְׁתּ֗ים הֲטוֹבִים֙ מִן־הַמַּמְלָכ֣וֹת הָאֵ֔לֶּה אִם־רַ֥ב גְּבוּלָ֖ם מִגְּבֻלְכֶֽם׃
גײט אַריבער קײן כַּלנֵה, און זעט, און גײט פֿון דאָרט קײן גרױס-חמָת, און נידערט אין גַת פֿון די פּלִשתּים; איז זײ בעסער פֿון די דאָזיקע קיניגרײַכן? צי איז זײער געמאַרק גרעסער פֿון אײַער געמאַרק?
Vayikra Rabbah
Another matter, “When He quiets, who can condemn?” – He granted tranquility to the Ten Tribes; who, then, could come and condemn them? What tranquility did He grant them? “Woe, the tranquil of Zion” (Amos 6:1), this is [referring to] the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. “And the secure of Mount Samaria” (Amos 6:1), these are the Ten Tribes. “They are called the foremost of the nations” (Amos 6:1), as they descend from two heads of nations, Shem and Ever.
When the nations of the world live in peace, they eat, drink, get drunk, and engage in matters of frivolity. What do they say? ‘Who is as wise as Bilam? Who is as wealthy as Haman? Who is as mighty as Goliath?’ Then, the house of Israel will come to them and say to them: ‘Was Aḥitofel not wise? Was Koraḥ not wealthy? Was Samson not mighty?’ “Cross to Kalne and see” (Amos 6:2), this is Katisfon. “And go from there to greater Ḥamat” (Amos 6:2), this is Ḥamat of Antioch. “And descend to Gat of the Philistines” (Amos 6:2), these are the fortifications of Philistia. “Are they better than these kingdoms? Is their border wider than your border?” (Amos 6:2). “Those who deny the evil day” (Amos 6:3), the day of the exile. “And advance [vatagishun] the regime of villainy” (Amos 6:3), you presented [higashtem] yourselves to settle near villainy; this is Esau, just as it says: “For the villainy to your brother Jacob” (Obadiah 1:10).
“Who lie on beds of ivory” (Amos 6:4), on beds of elephant ivory, “and sprawl [usruḥim] on their couches (Amos 6:4), they contaminate their beds with sins. Alternatively, “sprawled on their couches,” these are the curtains stretched over each and every one of them, just as it says: “The overhang that remains” (Exodus 26:12).
“Eating the fattened sheep from the flock” (Amos 6:4). When one of them would seek to eat a kid, he would drag the entire flock before him, choose the fattest one, stand over it, and slaughter it. When he would seek to eat a calf, he would drag all the cattle before him, choose the fattest one, stand over it, and slaughter it. That is what is written: “Eating the fattened sheep from the flock and the calves from inside the stall” (Amos 6:4).
“Who strum on the lute [hanavel]” (Amos 6:5) – they would enunciate offensive [nivlut] matters with their mouths. What would they say: ‘Did David not recite song only with a lute?’ That is what is written: “They consider themselves like David” (Amos 6:5). “Who drink with bowls [mizrekei] of wine” (Amos 6:6); Rav, Rabbi Yoḥanan, and the Rabbis, Rav said: Congealed wine.7They were able to toss [lizrok] the wine goblets without concern about spillage. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Small goblets.8They would throw the entire contents of the goblet down their throat in one motion. The Rabbis say: Goblets with pipes.9These were very large goblets that would have multiple pipes, similar to straws, attached to them. Multiple people could thereby drink from the goblet at the same time. Where was the wine that they would drink produced? Rabbi Abahu said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina: From Patugta, as their wine would entice the body to engage in licentiousness.10When one would drink wine from Patguta, one would be more likely to engage in licentious activity. The Rabbis said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina: From Palugta, as it was with that wine that the Ten Tribes were enticed [nitpatu] and exiled [galu]. “And anoint themselves with virgin oils” (Amos 6:6) – Rabbi Yehuda bar Yeḥezkel said: This is myrrh oil. Rabbi Yanai said: Oil of unripe olives that removes the hair and smooths the body.
After all this bounty, “but they are not distressed over the destruction of Joseph” (Amos 6:6). “Therefore, they will now be exiled at the head of the exiles, and the revelry of the sprawled [mirzaḥ seruḥim] will be discontinued” (Amos 6:7). What is mirzaḥ seruḥim? Rabbi Aivu said: There were thirteen hot springs, one for each and every tribe, and one for all of them. When their iniquities caused [punishment],when they came to perform transgressions and evil deeds, they were all taken. Only this one remained, to inform you of the extent that sin causes [punishment], to realize what is stated: “Your iniquities have diverted these, [and your sins have withheld good from you]” (Jeremiah 5:25).
“When He conceals His face, who can see Him?” (Job 34:29). When he concealed His face from them, who could tell Him that He did not act properly? In what sense did He conceal His face from them? He took Sennacherib up against them, as it is stated: “It was in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, [that Sennacherib, king of Assyria, went up against all the fortified cities of Judah and he seized them]” (Isaiah 36:1). What is “and he seized them”? Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman: Three sentences were sealed on that day. The sentence of the Ten Tribes to fall at the hand of Sennacherib was sealed. The sentence of Sennacherib to fall at the hand of Hezekiah was sealed. And the sentence of Uzziah to be stricken with leprosy was sealed.
“To nation and man alike” (Job 34:29) – “nation,” this is Sennacherib, in whose regard it is written: “For a nation has ascended against My land” (Joel 1:6). “Man,” this is Israel, in whose regard it is written: “You, My flock, flock of My pasture, you are man” (Ezekiel 34:31). “Alike,” this is King Uzziah, who was stricken with leprosy, as it is stated: “King Uzziah was a leper” (II Chronicles 26:21).11The word alike [yaḥad] is read to imply the unique [meyuḥad] individual of the nation, namely the king (Rabbi David Luria).
The rulings of the Holy One blessed be He are not like the rulings of flesh and blood. A flesh and blood king shows favor to the public but does not show favor to an individual. However, here, the Holy One blessed be He said: “If the anointed priest shall sin…He shall present…an [unblemished young] bull” (Leviticus 4:3). “If the entire congregation of Israel will err unwittingly…they shall sacrifice a young bull” (Leviticus 4:13–14).
When the nations of the world live in peace, they eat, drink, get drunk, and engage in matters of frivolity. What do they say? ‘Who is as wise as Bilam? Who is as wealthy as Haman? Who is as mighty as Goliath?’ Then, the house of Israel will come to them and say to them: ‘Was Aḥitofel not wise? Was Koraḥ not wealthy? Was Samson not mighty?’ “Cross to Kalne and see” (Amos 6:2), this is Katisfon. “And go from there to greater Ḥamat” (Amos 6:2), this is Ḥamat of Antioch. “And descend to Gat of the Philistines” (Amos 6:2), these are the fortifications of Philistia. “Are they better than these kingdoms? Is their border wider than your border?” (Amos 6:2). “Those who deny the evil day” (Amos 6:3), the day of the exile. “And advance [vatagishun] the regime of villainy” (Amos 6:3), you presented [higashtem] yourselves to settle near villainy; this is Esau, just as it says: “For the villainy to your brother Jacob” (Obadiah 1:10).
“Who lie on beds of ivory” (Amos 6:4), on beds of elephant ivory, “and sprawl [usruḥim] on their couches (Amos 6:4), they contaminate their beds with sins. Alternatively, “sprawled on their couches,” these are the curtains stretched over each and every one of them, just as it says: “The overhang that remains” (Exodus 26:12).
“Eating the fattened sheep from the flock” (Amos 6:4). When one of them would seek to eat a kid, he would drag the entire flock before him, choose the fattest one, stand over it, and slaughter it. When he would seek to eat a calf, he would drag all the cattle before him, choose the fattest one, stand over it, and slaughter it. That is what is written: “Eating the fattened sheep from the flock and the calves from inside the stall” (Amos 6:4).
“Who strum on the lute [hanavel]” (Amos 6:5) – they would enunciate offensive [nivlut] matters with their mouths. What would they say: ‘Did David not recite song only with a lute?’ That is what is written: “They consider themselves like David” (Amos 6:5). “Who drink with bowls [mizrekei] of wine” (Amos 6:6); Rav, Rabbi Yoḥanan, and the Rabbis, Rav said: Congealed wine.7They were able to toss [lizrok] the wine goblets without concern about spillage. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Small goblets.8They would throw the entire contents of the goblet down their throat in one motion. The Rabbis say: Goblets with pipes.9These were very large goblets that would have multiple pipes, similar to straws, attached to them. Multiple people could thereby drink from the goblet at the same time. Where was the wine that they would drink produced? Rabbi Abahu said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina: From Patugta, as their wine would entice the body to engage in licentiousness.10When one would drink wine from Patguta, one would be more likely to engage in licentious activity. The Rabbis said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina: From Palugta, as it was with that wine that the Ten Tribes were enticed [nitpatu] and exiled [galu]. “And anoint themselves with virgin oils” (Amos 6:6) – Rabbi Yehuda bar Yeḥezkel said: This is myrrh oil. Rabbi Yanai said: Oil of unripe olives that removes the hair and smooths the body.
After all this bounty, “but they are not distressed over the destruction of Joseph” (Amos 6:6). “Therefore, they will now be exiled at the head of the exiles, and the revelry of the sprawled [mirzaḥ seruḥim] will be discontinued” (Amos 6:7). What is mirzaḥ seruḥim? Rabbi Aivu said: There were thirteen hot springs, one for each and every tribe, and one for all of them. When their iniquities caused [punishment],when they came to perform transgressions and evil deeds, they were all taken. Only this one remained, to inform you of the extent that sin causes [punishment], to realize what is stated: “Your iniquities have diverted these, [and your sins have withheld good from you]” (Jeremiah 5:25).
“When He conceals His face, who can see Him?” (Job 34:29). When he concealed His face from them, who could tell Him that He did not act properly? In what sense did He conceal His face from them? He took Sennacherib up against them, as it is stated: “It was in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, [that Sennacherib, king of Assyria, went up against all the fortified cities of Judah and he seized them]” (Isaiah 36:1). What is “and he seized them”? Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman: Three sentences were sealed on that day. The sentence of the Ten Tribes to fall at the hand of Sennacherib was sealed. The sentence of Sennacherib to fall at the hand of Hezekiah was sealed. And the sentence of Uzziah to be stricken with leprosy was sealed.
“To nation and man alike” (Job 34:29) – “nation,” this is Sennacherib, in whose regard it is written: “For a nation has ascended against My land” (Joel 1:6). “Man,” this is Israel, in whose regard it is written: “You, My flock, flock of My pasture, you are man” (Ezekiel 34:31). “Alike,” this is King Uzziah, who was stricken with leprosy, as it is stated: “King Uzziah was a leper” (II Chronicles 26:21).11The word alike [yaḥad] is read to imply the unique [meyuḥad] individual of the nation, namely the king (Rabbi David Luria).
The rulings of the Holy One blessed be He are not like the rulings of flesh and blood. A flesh and blood king shows favor to the public but does not show favor to an individual. However, here, the Holy One blessed be He said: “If the anointed priest shall sin…He shall present…an [unblemished young] bull” (Leviticus 4:3). “If the entire congregation of Israel will err unwittingly…they shall sacrifice a young bull” (Leviticus 4:13–14).
Bamidbar Rabbah
That is what is written: “Woe! The tranquil in Zion…” (Amos 6:1), this is the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, who would recline in the palaces of pleasure. “And the secure on Mount Samaria” (Amos 6:1), these are the Ten Tribes who resided securely in Sebastia.36This is another name for Samaria. “Those who name themselves the foremost of the nations” (Amos 6:1), who descend from two eponyms, Shem and Ever, as from there, Israel are called Hebrews [ivrim].
“And come to them the house of Israel” (Amos 6:1). Idolaters, when they eat and drink, they engage in trivial matters: ‘Who is as wise as Bilam; who is as mighty as Goliath; who is as wealthy as Haman?’ Then Israel comes and they say to them: ‘Was Aḥitofel not wise, was Solomon not wise; was Samson not mighty, was David not mighty; was Koraḥ not wealthy, was Solomon not wealthy, as it is stated in his regard: “The king caused silver to be in Jerusalem like stones…”’ (I Kings 10:27). Everyone agrees with the statement of Israel.
“Come to Kalne and see” (Amos 6:2), this is Ketisifon.37A great city in Babylon. “And go from there to greater Ḥamat” (Amos 6:2), this is Ḥamat of Antioch. “And descend to Gat of the Philistines” (Amos 6:2), these are the steep fortresses of the Philistines. “Are they38The cities mentioned. better than these kingdoms?” (Amos 6:2). This is Zion and Samaria. “Is their border greater than your border?” (Amos 6:2). The Holy One blessed be He said to them: ‘It is a great and excellent portion that I have given you, that none of all the nations has one greater and more excellent than your portion. Why, then, do you not perform My will and you do not fear Me, that I will bring upon you a punishment because you do not place My words upon your heart?’ That is what is written: “Who spurn the day of evil” (Amos 6:3) – this is the day of exile that they distance from their heart, and are not concerned about it. Rather, they say: “No harm will befall us” (Micah 3:11). “While you convene a session of villainy” (Amos 6:3) – you presented yourselves to reside alongside villainy, this is Esau, just as it says: “For the villainy to your brother Jacob…” (Obadiah 1:10).
“Who lie on beds of ivory” (Amos 6:4); on beds from an elephant.39The Aramaic phrase means beds of ivory. “And sprawl [usruḥim] on their couches” (Amos 6:4); that they sully [masrihin] their beds with transgressions, as they would swap their wives with one another and sully their beds with semen that is not theirs.
“Eating the fattened sheep from the flock, and the calves from inside the stall” (Amos 6:4). Come and see, each tribe had a day of debauchery of its own. When he would seek to go to his debauchery, he would pass his entire flock before him, would take the fattest of them, stand over it, and slaughter it.
“Who strum on the face of the lyre; they considered themselves like David with musical instruments” (Amos 6:5). Just as David would sing to the Holy One blessed be He by means of lyres, so, they prepared lyres for themselves, to sing over wine. That is what is written: “Who drink with wine bowls [mizrekei yayin]” (Amos 6:6). Rav, Rabbi Yoḥanan, and the Rabbis, Rav said: Congealed wine.40It is possible to toss [lizrok] cups of congealed wine from one to another, to whet their appetites for drink. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Small cups.41One tosses the small amount of wine from the cup directly into one’s throat. The Rabbis say: Cups that have pipes attached to them.42When placed on their sides, a flow of liquid emerged from the pipe directly into the mouth of the drinker. From where would they drink? Rabbi Abbahu said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina: From Patgita, whose wine would seduce the body. The Rabbis said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina: From Pelugeta.
“And anoint themselves with virgin oils” (Amos 6:6); Rabbi Yehuda bar Yeḥezkel said: Oil from olives that were one-third ripened, that removes hair and smooths the skin. Rabbi Yanai said: Oil from Antioch.
Even after all this goodness, “but they are not distressed over the destruction of Joseph” (Amos 6:6).43They did not take to heart the destruction that their sinful ways would bring to them. Joseph represents the kingdom of Israel, as opposed to the kingdom of Judah. What will their end be? Because of wine they were seduced and strayed. That is what is written: “Therefore, they will now be exiled at the head of the exiles…” (Amos 6:7). We have learned that wherever there is wine, there is licentiousness. That is why the Holy One blessed be He wrote the portion of the nazirite after the portion of the sota, because wine causes licentiousness. Therefore, a person should abstain from wine because it will lead him astray. That is why it is stated: “When a man or a woman will articulate [to take the vow of a nazirite, to abstain for the Lord].”
“And come to them the house of Israel” (Amos 6:1). Idolaters, when they eat and drink, they engage in trivial matters: ‘Who is as wise as Bilam; who is as mighty as Goliath; who is as wealthy as Haman?’ Then Israel comes and they say to them: ‘Was Aḥitofel not wise, was Solomon not wise; was Samson not mighty, was David not mighty; was Koraḥ not wealthy, was Solomon not wealthy, as it is stated in his regard: “The king caused silver to be in Jerusalem like stones…”’ (I Kings 10:27). Everyone agrees with the statement of Israel.
“Come to Kalne and see” (Amos 6:2), this is Ketisifon.37A great city in Babylon. “And go from there to greater Ḥamat” (Amos 6:2), this is Ḥamat of Antioch. “And descend to Gat of the Philistines” (Amos 6:2), these are the steep fortresses of the Philistines. “Are they38The cities mentioned. better than these kingdoms?” (Amos 6:2). This is Zion and Samaria. “Is their border greater than your border?” (Amos 6:2). The Holy One blessed be He said to them: ‘It is a great and excellent portion that I have given you, that none of all the nations has one greater and more excellent than your portion. Why, then, do you not perform My will and you do not fear Me, that I will bring upon you a punishment because you do not place My words upon your heart?’ That is what is written: “Who spurn the day of evil” (Amos 6:3) – this is the day of exile that they distance from their heart, and are not concerned about it. Rather, they say: “No harm will befall us” (Micah 3:11). “While you convene a session of villainy” (Amos 6:3) – you presented yourselves to reside alongside villainy, this is Esau, just as it says: “For the villainy to your brother Jacob…” (Obadiah 1:10).
“Who lie on beds of ivory” (Amos 6:4); on beds from an elephant.39The Aramaic phrase means beds of ivory. “And sprawl [usruḥim] on their couches” (Amos 6:4); that they sully [masrihin] their beds with transgressions, as they would swap their wives with one another and sully their beds with semen that is not theirs.
“Eating the fattened sheep from the flock, and the calves from inside the stall” (Amos 6:4). Come and see, each tribe had a day of debauchery of its own. When he would seek to go to his debauchery, he would pass his entire flock before him, would take the fattest of them, stand over it, and slaughter it.
“Who strum on the face of the lyre; they considered themselves like David with musical instruments” (Amos 6:5). Just as David would sing to the Holy One blessed be He by means of lyres, so, they prepared lyres for themselves, to sing over wine. That is what is written: “Who drink with wine bowls [mizrekei yayin]” (Amos 6:6). Rav, Rabbi Yoḥanan, and the Rabbis, Rav said: Congealed wine.40It is possible to toss [lizrok] cups of congealed wine from one to another, to whet their appetites for drink. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Small cups.41One tosses the small amount of wine from the cup directly into one’s throat. The Rabbis say: Cups that have pipes attached to them.42When placed on their sides, a flow of liquid emerged from the pipe directly into the mouth of the drinker. From where would they drink? Rabbi Abbahu said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina: From Patgita, whose wine would seduce the body. The Rabbis said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina: From Pelugeta.
“And anoint themselves with virgin oils” (Amos 6:6); Rabbi Yehuda bar Yeḥezkel said: Oil from olives that were one-third ripened, that removes hair and smooths the skin. Rabbi Yanai said: Oil from Antioch.
Even after all this goodness, “but they are not distressed over the destruction of Joseph” (Amos 6:6).43They did not take to heart the destruction that their sinful ways would bring to them. Joseph represents the kingdom of Israel, as opposed to the kingdom of Judah. What will their end be? Because of wine they were seduced and strayed. That is what is written: “Therefore, they will now be exiled at the head of the exiles…” (Amos 6:7). We have learned that wherever there is wine, there is licentiousness. That is why the Holy One blessed be He wrote the portion of the nazirite after the portion of the sota, because wine causes licentiousness. Therefore, a person should abstain from wine because it will lead him astray. That is why it is stated: “When a man or a woman will articulate [to take the vow of a nazirite, to abstain for the Lord].”