How God Turned From Israel's Advocate Into Their Accuser

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Kedoshim 12:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation of "How I would set you among the children" (Jeremiah 3:19). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them: I was pleading advocacy on your behalf — how have you made Me into one who brings accusation against you? "How I would set you (ashitkha)" — and this is nothing other than the language of an accuser, as it is said, "If a ransom is laid upon him (yushat)" (Exodus 21:30).

Themes

SatanLoveEgyptJudgmentMusic

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelRabbi Yoshiyah Offered a Creative Reading of the Hebrew WordRabbi Yoshiyah offered a creative reading of the Hebrew word "ufasachti", "and I will pass over you", from the Passover narrative. He said: do not read it as "uBen SiraBen Sira on Facing Divine JudgmentBen Sira turns to Ben Sira on Facing Divine Judgment. "Ministers of holiness are her ministers; And God loveth them that love her." So, right away, Those who deLetter of AristeasRoad to ForgivenessIt’s a question rulers have wrestled with for millennia. The Letter of Aristeas, a fascinating historical text, gives us a peek into just such a conversation, aLegends of the JewsFour Virtues Israel Kept Even in the Depths of SlaveryAs retold by Ginzberg, it wasn't all doom and gloom. Even in the depths of oppression, the children of Israel held onto certain virtues, sparks of light that peLegends of the JewsHow a Shepherd's Compassion Made Moses WorthyMoses is often remembered as this towering figure, the lawgiver, the one who spoke to God face-to-face. But before all that, before the burning bush and the exoIntroduction to Sulam CommentaryJudgment and Mercy Partnered Before CreationThe core of it lies in understanding the interplay between two fundamental forces: the attribute of judgment and the attribute of mercy. Think of them as two si