"And the earth shook and trembled. Rabbi Samuel bar Nachmani said, 'Why does sweating come upon the cessation of one kingdom and the beginning of another?' As it is written, 'And the earth shook and trembled, for the Lord had stirred up against Babylon' (Jeremiah 51:29). Elijah, may his memory be blessed, asked Rabbi Nehorai, 'Why does sweating come upon the world?'

He replied, 'Because of the neglect of tithes that are not separated according to their proper regulation.' He said to him, 'This is indeed a reasonable explanation, but the primary reason is that when the Holy One, blessed be He, looks upon His world and sees houses of idolatry and houses of entertainment and the nations of the world sitting in tranquility and security while the Temple lies in ruins and its children in distress, His anger is kindled against His world and He seeks to destroy it.

As it is written, 'He shall roar mightily over His habitation' (Jeremiah 25:30) for the sake of His habitation. Therefore, the earth shook and trembled.' Rabbi Acha said it was because of a forbidden sexual act. The Holy One, blessed be He, said, 'You have caused your limbs to tremble over something that is not worthy of you.

I too will cause the upper and lower worlds to tremble for you.' The Rabbis said it was because of disputes, as it is written, 'And the valley of the mountains shall be stopped up, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal' (Zechariah 14:5). Rabbi Samuel bar Nachmani said, 'The earthquake only comes upon the cessation of one kingdom and the beginning of another, as it is written, 'And the earth shook and trembled, for the Lord had stirred up against Babylon' (Jeremiah 51:29), for the thoughts of God have arisen against Babylon.'

Elijah, may his memory be blessed, asked Rabbi Nehorai, 'Why did the Holy One, blessed be He, create vermin and reptiles?' He replied, 'For their own sake were they created. When the creatures sin, He looks upon them and says, "What need have I for these creatures that have no purpose? But those that have a purpose, how much more so!"

He further said, "There is also a purpose for flies, for leeches, for snakes, for scorpions, for snails, and for spiders."' "