Rabbi Levi in the name of Rabbi Ḥama ben Rabbi Ḥanina began: “So said the Lord, your Redeemer, Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you [melamedkha] for your benefit, [Who guides you on the way you should go]” (Isaiah 48:17). He goads you with a prod the way a cattle prod pokes a cow. [The cattle prod] has three names: Malmad, marde’a, dorvan. Malmad, as it teaches [melamed] the cow to plow so it can give life to its owner.
Marde’a, as it imparts knowledge [moreh daat] to the cow. Dorvan, as it imparts understanding [moreh bina] to the cow. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘If for his cow a person crafts a goad, for one’s evil inclination, which expels him from this world and the one to come, all the more so.’ “Who guides you on the way you should go” (Isaiah 48:17) – Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Ḥama ben Rabbi Ḥanina: This is analogous to the son of kings who stood trial before his father.
His father said: ‘If you seek to be exonerated before me in judgment on this day, appoint as your advocate so-and-so and you will be exonerated before me in judgment.’ So the Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘My children, if you seek to be exonerated in judgment before Me on this day, mention the merit of the patriarchs and you will be exonerated before Me in judgment.’ “On the first [of the month],” this is Abraham, as it is stated: “Abraham was one” (Ezekiel 33:24).
“A remembrance by means of a blast,” this is Isaac, as it is stated: “He saw, and behold, a ram” (Genesis 22:13). “A holy convocation [mikra kodesh],” this is Jacob, as it is stated: “Listen to Me Jacob, Israel who was called by Me [mekora’i]” (Isaiah 48:12). When will you mention the merit of the patriarchs and be exonerated before Me in judgment? In the seventh month.