Why My People Said Radnu - The Oven of Jerusalem in Tanchuma

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Bamidbar 2:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation of "ma'aphelyah" (deep darkness): Did I ever say to you that I would bring a benefit and then delay it? "Ma'aphelyah" is nothing other than a term of late-ripening, as it is said (Exodus 9:32), "for they are late-ripening (aphilot)." Rabbi Joshua said (Joshua 21:43), "Not one thing failed of all the good thing that the LORD spoke unto the house of Israel; it all came to pass." Then why did they say (Jeremiah 2:31), "Wherefore say My people: We have broken loose (radnu)"? This is a Mishnaic term: "one who removes (rodeh) a hot loaf." They said: When the bread is baked in the oven and is taken from it, can it be set in the oven again? And we were in Jerusalem as in an oven, as it is said (Isaiah 31:9), "saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and His furnace in Jerusalem." And You exiled us to Babylon. What more do You seek from us? Wherefore say My people: "We have been removed (radnu)."

Themes

Divine PromiseHoly LandJerusalemAdam EveProphecy

Biblical References

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