To You the LORD Belongs Righteousness Even at the Sea

"And they took what Micah had made" (Judges 18:27). This is what Scripture says: "To You, O Lord, belongs righteousness, and to us shame of face" (Daniel 9:7). Rabbi Yehudah bar Ilai said: Idolatry crossed the sea together with Israel, and the sea split before them - this is what is meant by "To You, O Lord, belongs righteousness." Rabbi Yudan said: It is written, "And the house of Joseph, they too went up to Bethel, and the LORD was with them" (Judges 1:22) - this is "To You, O Lord, belongs righteousness." Rabbi Simon said: "They took what Micah had made" - an image - "and the priest who was his" - a pagan priest - "and they came to Laish" (Judges 18:27): they practiced idolatry and it prospered in their hands - this is "To You, O Lord, belongs righteousness." Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmani said: You find that on the day the manna came down for Israel, on that very day they practiced idolatry; and not only that, but they took from it and offered it to idolatry, as it is said, "And My bread which I gave you" (Ezekiel 16:19), and so on. "And it came to pass" - what is "and it came to pass"? Rabbi Yudan said it is like "And it came to pass on the next day" (Exodus 18:13). And even so, You did not withhold the manna from their mouths - this is "To You, O Lord, belongs righteousness."