Yossi expounded (Isaiah 63 — 9) "In all of their afflictions

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Bachodesh 1:17

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 11, 2025

Similarly, R. Eliezer b. Yossi expounded (Isaiah 63:9) "In all of their afflictions, He was afflicted," (Ibid. 8) "And He said: 'Surely, they are My people, children who will not lie.'" But did He not know that they would lie? It is, therefore, written "Surely." (i.e., it was surely known to Him (that they would lie.) How, then, are we to understand (Ibid.) "and I will be their salvation"?—He did not save them as men who were destined to anger Him, but as men who (by repentance) were not destined to be faithless to Him forever. And thus is it written (Psalms 78:36-37) "And they deceived Him with their mouths, and with their tongues they lied to Him, and their hearts were not constant with Him, and they were not faithful to His covenant"—in spite of which (Ibid. 38) "But He, being merciful, will forgive transgression," and (Isaiah 6:10) "The heart of this people has become fat, and its ears have become heavy, etc." (—in spite of which) (Ibid.) "if he repents, he will be healed."

Themes

Redemption Prophecy Repentance Covenant Charity

Biblical References

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