Rabbi Meir on Suffering That Does Not Match the Sin

What is written prior to the matter? “You shall know this day, and restore to your heart” (Deuteronomy 4:39) – Rabbi Meir said: The Holy One blessed be He said: You and your heart know the actions that you performed, and that the suffering that I brought upon you did not correspond to [the severity of] your actions. Another matter: “That the Lord, He is the God” – the Rabbis said: Yitro ascribed substance to idol worship, as it is stated: “Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods” (Exodus 18:11).60The implication of this statement is that there are other gods (Etz Yosef).

Naaman partially acknowledged, as it is stated: “Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel” (II Kings 5:15).61Naaman acknowledged that there are no other gods on earth, but did not specify that there are no other gods in Heaven (Etz Yosef). Raḥav placed Him in Heaven and on earth,62She acknowledged that there is only one God in Heaven and on earth. as it is stated: “Because the Lord your God, He is God in Heaven above and on earth below” (Joshua 2:11).

Moses placed Him even in the empty space of the world, as it is stated: “That the Lord, He is the God in Heaven above and upon earth below; there is no other.” What is, “there is no other”? Even in the empty space of the world. Rabbi Hoshaya said: The Holy One blessed be He said: “Give her from the fruit of her hands” (Proverbs 31:31) – you [Moses] attested in My regard: “There is no other”; I too attest in your regard: “There has not risen another prophet in Israel like Moses” (Deuteronomy 34:10).

What is written? “So that it will be good for you, and you will extend your days” (Deuteronomy 22:7). Israel said before the Holy One blessed be He: ‘Master of the universe, is this extended days? A person kills a person unwittingly, the blood redeemer pursues him to kill him, and everyone dies before his time.’

The Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘As you live, they are speaking correctly. Go and designate cities of refuge for them,’ as it is stated: “Then, Moses designated.”