“He said to him: My lord knows that the children are tender, and the nursing flocks and cattle are upon me; if they drive them hard one day, all the flocks will die” (Genesis 33:13). “He said to him: My lord knows that the children are tender…” – this is Moses and Aaron. “And the nursing flocks and cattle are upon me” – this is Israel, as it is stated: “You, My flock, the flock of My pasture, you are people” (Ezekiel 34:31).
Rav Huna said in the name of Rav Aḥa: Had it not been for the mercy of the Holy One blessed be He, “if they drive them hard one day” the entire flock would have died in the days of Hadrian. Rabbi Berekhya said in the name of Rabbi Levi: “My lord knows that the children are tender” – this is David and Solomon. “And the nursing flocks and cattle are upon me” – this is Israel, as it is stated: “You, My flock…” (Ezekiel 34:31).
Rav Huna said in the name of Rav Aḥa: Had it not been for the mercy of the Holy One blessed be He, “if they drive them hard one day” the entire flock would have died in the days of Haman.