I Will Be Comforted and Restore Zion's Judges as of Old

Pesikta DeRav Kahana 15:11

"Ah, I will be eased of My adversaries, and avenge Me of My enemies" (Isaiah 1:24). Rabbi Yudah and Rabbi Nechemyah differed. Rabbi Yudah said: It is like a man who had ten gold pieces, and you scheme against him and take them from him. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: It is upon Me to repay him his due and to exact payment from that man. Rabbi Nechemyah said: "Ah, I will be eased of My adversaries" (ibid.) -- two; "and avenge Me of My enemies" (ibid.) -- two: these are the four kingdoms. "And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning" (Isaiah 1:26). "And I will restore your judges as at the first" -- this is Moses and Aaron. "And your counselors as at the beginning" -- this is David and Solomon. "And afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness" (ibid.), "Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her returnees with righteousness" (Isaiah 1:27). Finished.

Themes