They Walked After Vanity and the Debt That Was Only Bran

Pesikta DeRav Kahana 14:7

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And they walked after vanity and became vain" (Jeremiah 2:5). Rabbi Yitzhak said: it is like the son of a goldsmith against whom a promissory note was issued, and he was afraid and said, can it be that this note is for a hundred gold pieces or two hundred gold pieces? His creditor said to him: do not be afraid, it is a measure of bran and of barley, whatever it is worth, that is what it is. So too the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel: my children, the idolatry you are so eager after is not a matter of substance, but "they are vanity, a work of delusion" (Jeremiah 10:15). "Not like these is the portion of Jacob, for He is the maker of all, and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance; the LORD of hosts is His name" (Jeremiah 10:16). The end.

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