When Divine Justice Laughed Over the Generation of the Flood

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Achrei Mot 2:3

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation (of Ecclesiastes 2:2): "Of laughter I said: It is mad!" How confused was the laughter that the attribute of justice laughed over the generation of the flood, [for it is written] (Job 21:10): "His bull breeds and does not fail," etc.; (Job 21:11): "They send forth their little ones like a flock, [and their children dance about]"; (Job 21:12): "They take up [the] timbrel and harp," etc.; (Job 21:13): "They spend [their days] in prosperity." Since they said (Job 21:15): "What is the Almighty that we should serve Him?" the Holy One, blessed be He, said to them (Ecclesiastes 2:2): "And of rejoicing, what does this do?" By your lives, I am destroying your memory from the world, [for it is written] (Genesis 7:23): "And He wiped out all that existed."

Themes

Divine JusticeDivine Judgment

Biblical References

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