The Children Are Tender and the Flock Survives Only by Mercy

(Genesis 33:13) "And he said to him, My lord knows that the children are tender" — this is Moses and Aaron; "and the flocks and herds giving suck are a care to me" — these are Israel, "And you are My flock, the flock of My pasture" (Ezekiel 34:31). Were it not for the mercies of the Holy One, blessed be He, all the flock would already have died in the days of Hadrian. Rabbi Berekhiah in the name of Rabbi Levi said: "My lord knows that the children are tender" — this is David and Solomon; "and the flocks and herds" — these are Israel; were it not for the mercies of the Holy One, blessed be He, all the flock would already have died in the days of Haman. (Genesis 33:14) "Let my lord, I pray, pass over before his servant" — he said to him: Do you ask that I be a partner with you in your world? He said to him: "Let my lord, I pray, pass over before his servant." He said to him: And are you afraid of governors and commanders? He said to him: "And I will lead on softly" — gently, gently I walk, as you say, "the waters of Shiloah that go softly" (Isaiah 8:6).