Afflicted and Storm-Tossed Jerusalem Shaken to Its Foundation

Pesikta DeRav Kahana 18:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"Afflicted" (Isaiah 54:11). Afflicted of the righteous, afflicted of words of Torah, afflicted of commandments and good deeds. "Storm-tossed" [so'arah] (Isaiah 54:11)—uprooted; a nation whom the nations of the world have torn down, as it is written, "Remember, O LORD, against the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem" (Psalms 137:7). Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: [they cried] "Demolish it, demolish it [pagaru]," as it is said, "the broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken [ar'er tit'ar'ar]" (Jeremiah 51:58). Rabbi Levi said: [they cried] "Empty it, empty it [panun]," as it is said, "and she hastened and emptied [va-te'ar] her pitcher into the trough" (Genesis 24:20). According to the view of Rabbi Abba bar Kahana, who said "demolish, demolish": "until they reached its foundation"—down to the foundation in it. According to the view of Rabbi Levi, who said "empty, empty": "until they reached its foundation"—down to the foundation in it.

Themes

DestructionExileJerusalem

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