Scholars Called Holy and the Four Mighty Ones

"The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD" (Proverbs 9:10) -- this is the Torah, whose fear is upon the whole world entire. "And the knowledge of the holy ones is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10) -- these are the masters of Talmud, for at the hour when they sit and understand each and every matter that is in it, they resemble the ministering angels, who are called holy, as it is said (Daniel 7:27): "and judgment was given to the holy ones of the Most High." And from where do we know that the sages are called holy? As it is said (Psalms 16:3): "As for the holy ones that are in the earth, they are the mighty in whom is all my delight." Four are called "mighty," and these are they: the Holy One, blessed be He; and Israel; and the waters; and Egypt. The Holy One, blessed be He -- as it is said (Psalms 93:4): "The LORD on high is mighty." Israel, from where? As it is said (Psalms 16:3): "they are the mighty in whom is all my delight." The waters, from where? As it is said (Psalms 93:4): "above the voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea." Egypt -- as it is said (Ezekiel 32:18): "Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, her and the daughters of the mighty nations, to the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit." Let the Holy One, blessed be He, who is called mighty, come by means of Israel who are called mighty, to take vengeance upon the Egyptians who are called mighty, by the waters that are called mighty, as it is written (Exodus 15:10): "they sank like lead in the mighty waters." Another interpretation of "the mighty in whom is all my delight": these are the sages, who know the delights of the Torah. Another interpretation: these are Israel, who delight in the commandments of the Torah. Another interpretation of "the mighty in whom is all my delight": the Holy One, blessed be He, said: As long as Israel do my delight, I too will do their delight. There we learned in a Mishnah: Rabbi Eliezer says (Mishnah Avot 2:4): "Do His will as your own will, so that He may do your will as His will. Nullify your will before His will, so that He may nullify the will of others before your will." For so David says (1 Chronicles 29:14): "For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given You." If you have done so, He lengthens your days and adds to you years, as it is said (Proverbs 9:11): "For by me your days shall be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to you."