Answering Amen With All Your Strength Tears Up a Harsh Decree

Yalkut Shimoni on Nach 46:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"When men let grow their hair in Israel, when the people offered themselves willingly" (Judges 5:2). Rabbi Joshua ben Levi said: Whoever answers "Amen, may His great Name be blessed" with all his strength, they tear up his harsh decree, as it says, "When men let grow their hair [bifroa pera'ot]" — what is the reason? "When men let grow their hair" [read as: when retribution is loosed and undone] — because "they blessed the LORD" (Judges 5:2). Rabbi Chiyya bar Abba said in the name of Rabbi Yochanan: Even if there is in him a trace of idolatry, they pardon him. It is written here "bifroa pera'ot" [when men let grow their hair], and it is written there "for it was uncovered" [ki farua hu] (Exodus 32:25) — [by this verbal link, the loosening of hair recalls the loosened restraint of the golden calf, teaching that even such sin is forgiven].

Themes

PrayerRepentanceDivine Justice

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