More Children of the Desolate Than of the Married Wife

Pesikta DeRav Kahana 20:5

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, says the LORD" (Isaiah 54:1). Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: it is written, "and your speech is comely" (Song of Songs 4:3). Even when the dwelling is made a wilderness, one is liable for its boundary when it is destroyed just as one is liable for its boundary when it is built. Rabbi Levi said: in its building it raised up for me wicked ones, such as Ahaz, Manasseh, and Amon. In its destruction it raised up for me righteous ones, such as Daniel and his company, Mordecai and his company, Ezra and his company. Rabbi Aha in the name of Rabbi Yohanan: it raised up for me in its destruction more righteous ones than the righteous it raised up in its building.

Themes

Holy LandRighteousnessExile

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