Another matter, “a small city” – this is a synagogue, “and few men in it” – this is the congregation, “and a great king came against it” – this is the King of kings the Holy One blessed be He, “and surrounded it and built a great siege upon it” – this is ambush and subterfuge.101This is a reference to the possibility that the congregation will act improperly in the synagogue. “He found in it a poor, wise man” – this is the wise elder or the cantor, as when the elder sits and teaches and they repeat after him: ‘Amen, may His great name be blessed,’102This is part of the Kaddish recited after communal study of Aggada. even if [the community] has a [heavenly] document of edicts for one hundred years,103The community was destined to experience misfortune and suffering for one hundred years. the Holy One blessed be He will forgive all its iniquities.
“But no one remembered…” – the Holy One blessed be He said: You did not remember him; I remember him, “you shall rise before the elderly…” (Leviticus 19:32).