Pisqa’ 333194H:342-343; JN2:381-383. 1. “You Nations! Sing the praises of His people!” (Dt.32:43). Tomorrow, when the Blessed Holy One brings liberation to Israel, the nations of the world will be agitated. And this would not be the first time! As the verse implies: “The nations heard and were agitated, as terror gripped the dwellers of Paleshet” (Ex.15:14).195Cf. Mechilta Ishmael, shirah, 9.
Another word: “You Nations! Sing the praises of His people!” (Dt.32:43). The nations of the world are destined to laud Israel, for it is said: “You Nations! Sing the praises of His people!” (Dt.32:43)— Do these praises include even those of the Heavens and the Earth? As it is said: “Sing, you Heavens, for HASHEM Has done it! Let the Earth’s foundations shout out!” (Is.44:23). How do I know that this applies as well to mountains and hills? For it is said: “The mountains and hills will break out in song before you!” (Is.55:12). How do I know that this applies as well to trees? For it is said: “And all the woods of the field shall clap their hands!” (Is.55:12). How do I know that this applies as well to the [entombed] Patriarchs and Matriarchs? For it is said: “Sing out, you dwellers in stone, shout from the mountain tops!” (Is.43:11)
2. “For the blood of His servants will He avenge, He will exact vengeance upon His enemies!” (Dt.32:43)— this verse speaks of two acts of vengeance: Avenging the spilled blood and avenging the pillage. On what basis do I know that each act of pillage committed by the nations of the world against Israel, is considered as if they had spilled innocent blood? For it is said: “I will gather together all the [gentile] nations, and bring them down to the valley of Yehoshafat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of My people, Israel” (Joel 4:2). [The verse continues:] “Egypt will be transformed into desolation, and Edom a howling wasteland— because of the pillaging of the populace of Judah, and the spilling of innocent blood in their Land” (Joel 4:19). Now, at that very moment: “Yet Judah will abide forever, and Jerusalem for all generations; but I will certainly not cleanse their innocent blood, as long as HASHEM abides in Zion” (Joel 4:19)
3. “The blood of His people cleanses (kiper) His Land” (Dt.32:43)— on what basis do I know that the murder of Israel by the nations of the world brings Israel absolution (kaparah) in the coming eon? For it is said: “A song from Asaf: God! Nations have invaded Your bequest . . . they have fed to the birds Your servants’ bodies . . . they have spilled their blood like water!” (Ps.79:1-3) Another word: “The blood of His people cleanses His Land” (Dt.32:43)— on what basis do you claim that the descent of the Wicked into Gehenna accomplishes their absolution? For it is said: “I have your absolution, Egypt! Ethiopia and Seva dwell in your nether-world, because you are precious to Me. You are honored and I have loved you; thus, I placed [the descendants of] Adam beneath you” (Is.43:3-4)4. R. Meir used to teach: Whoever lives in the Land of Israel— she accomplishes his absolution, As it is said: “The people who dwell upon her are unburdened by iniquity” (Is.33:24). Now, the resolution of the matter depends upon a prior assumption! For we still don’t know whether their iniquities are removed by her [and the sin is utterly extinguished], or whether [they are] unburdened from her [and the sin is merely overlooked]. Since He says: “The blood of His people cleanses His Land” (Dt.32:43)— the point is this: Their iniquities are removed by her, but they are not unburdened from her. [Thus, life in the Land remits sin’s impact]. And, furthermore, R. Meir used to teach: Whoever lives in the Land of Israel, and recites the “Listen, Israel” both morning and evening, and speaks the sacral language [in daily discourse]— he is destined for the coming eon!
5. You should affirm: How majestic is this Song! For it addresses the present times, the past times, and the future times, as well as addressing the present eon and the coming eon!
(דברים לב מג) הַרְנִינוּ גוֹיִם עַמּוֹ, לְמָחָר כְּשֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מֵבִיא גְּאֻלָּה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם מִתְרַגְּזִים לְפָנָיו, וְלֹא זוֹ תְּחִלָּה לָהֶם, שֶׁכְּבָר רָגְזוּ מִקֶּדֶם, כָּעִנְיָן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות טו יד): ״שָׁמְעוּ עַמִּים יִרְגָּזוּן״.
Pisqa’ 333194H:342-343; JN2:381-383.
1. “You Nations! Sing the praises of His people!” (Dt.32:43).
Tomorrow, when the Blessed Holy One brings liberation to Israel,
the nations of the world will be agitated.
And this would not be the first time!
As the verse implies:
“The nations heard and were agitated, as terror gripped the dwellers of Paleshet” (Ex.15:14).195Cf. Mechilta Ishmael, shirah, 9.
דָּבָר אַחֵר הַרְנִינוּ גוֹיִם עַמּוֹ, עֲתִידִים אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם לִהְיוֹת מְקַלְּסִים לִפְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: הַרְנִינוּ גוֹיִם עַמּוֹ. וְאַף שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה מד כג): ״רָנּוּ שָׁמַיִם כִּי עָשָׂה ה׳ הָרִיעוּ תַּחְתִּיּוֹת אָרֶץ״. מִנַּיִן אַף הָרִים וּגְבָעוֹת? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה נה יב): ״הֶהָרִים וְהַגְּבָעוֹת יִפְצְחוּ לִפְנֵיכֶם רִנָּה״. מִנַּיִן אַף הָאִילָנוֹת? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה נה יב): ״וְכָל עֲצֵי הַשָּׂדֶה יִמְחֲאוּ כָף״. מִנַּיִן אַף אָבוֹת וְאִמָּהוֹת? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה מב יא): ״יָרֹנּוּ יֹשְׁבֵי סֶלַע מֵרֹאשׁ הָרִים יִצְוָחוּ״.
Another word:
“You Nations! Sing the praises of His people!” (Dt.32:43).
The nations of the world are destined to laud Israel,
for it is said:
“You Nations! Sing the praises of His people!” (Dt.32:43)—
Do these praises include even those of the Heavens and the Earth?
As it is said:
“Sing, you Heavens, for HASHEM Has done it!
Let the Earth’s foundations shout out!” (Is.44:23).
How do I know that this applies as well to mountains and hills?
For it is said:
“The mountains and hills will break out in song before you!” (Is.55:12).
How do I know that this applies as well to trees?
For it is said:
“And all the woods of the field shall clap their hands!” (Is.55:12).
How do I know that this applies as well
to the [entombed] Patriarchs and Matriarchs?
For it is said:
“Sing out, you dwellers in stone, shout from the mountain tops!” (Is.43:11)
כִּי דַם עֲבָדָיו יִקּוֹם וְנָקָם יָשִׁיב לְצָרָיו, שְׁתֵּי נְקָמוֹת, נָקָם עַל הַדָּם וְנָקָם עַל הֶחָמָס. מִנַּיִן שֶׁכָּל חָמָס שֶׁחָמְסוּ אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מַעֲלֶה עֲלֵיהֶם כְּאִלּוּ דָּם נָקִי שָׁפְכוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (יואל ד): ״וְקִבַּצְתִּי אֶת כָּל הַגּוֹיִם וְהוֹרַדְתִּים אֶל עֵמֶק יְהוֹשָׁפָט וְנִשְׁפַּטְתִּי עִמָּם שָׁם עַל עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל״, (שם ד יט) ״מִצְרַיִם לִשְׁמָמָה תִהְיֶה וֶאֱדוֹם לְמִדְבַּר שְׁמָמָה, מֵחֲמַס בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה אֲשֶׁר שָׁפְכוּ דָם נָקִי בְּאַרְצָם״. בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה (שם), ״וִיהוּדָה לְעוֹלָם תֵּשֵׁב וִירוּשָׁלַיִם לְדוֹר וָדוֹר וְנִקֵּיתִי דָּמָם לֹא נִקֵּיתִי וַה׳ שֹׁכֵן בְּצִיּוֹן״.
2. “For the blood of His servants will He avenge,
He will exact vengeance upon His enemies!” (Dt.32:43)—
this verse speaks of two acts of vengeance:
Avenging the spilled blood
and avenging the pillage.
On what basis do I know that
each act of pillage committed by
the nations of the world against Israel,
is considered as if they had
spilled innocent blood?
For it is said:
“I will gather together all the [gentile] nations, and bring them down
to the valley of Yehoshafat.
And I will enter into judgment with them there,
on behalf of My people, Israel” (Joel 4:2).
[The verse continues:]
“Egypt will be transformed into desolation,
and Edom a howling wasteland—
because of the pillaging of the populace of Judah,
and the spilling of innocent blood in their Land” (Joel 4:19).
Now, at that very moment:
“Yet Judah will abide forever,
and Jerusalem for all generations;
but I will certainly not cleanse their innocent blood,
as long as HASHEM abides in Zion” (Joel 4:19)
וְכִפֶּר אַדְמָתוֹ עַמּוֹ, מִנַּיִן שֶׁהֲרִיגָתָם שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּיַד אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם כַּפָּרָה לָהֶם לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים עט א): ״מִזְמוֹר לְאָסָף אֱלֹהִים בָּאוּ גוֹיִם בְּנַחֲלָתֶךָ נָתְנוּ אֶת נִבְלַת עֲבָדֶיךָ שָׁפְכוּ דָמָם כַּמַּיִם״. דָּבָר אַחֵר וְכִפֶּר אַדְמָתוֹ עַמּוֹ, מִנַּיִן אַתָּה אוֹמֵר שֶׁיְּרִידָתָם שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים לְגֵיהִנָּם כַּפָּרָה הִיא לָהֶם? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה מג ג): ״נָתַתִּי כָפְרְךָ מִצְרַיִם כּוּשׁ וּסְבָא תַּחְתֶּיךָ מֵאֲשֶׁר יָקַרְתָּ בְעֵינַי נִכְבַּדְתָּ וַאֲנִי אֲהַבְתִּיךָ״. הָיָה רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: כָּל הַיּוֹשֵׁב בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל מְכַפֶּרֶת עָלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה לג כד): ״הָעָם הַיּוֹשֵׁב בָּהּ נְשֻׂא עָוֹן״. עֲדַיִן הַדָּבָר תָּלוּי בִּדְלָא תָּלוּי, אֵין אָנוּ יוֹדְעִים אִם פּוֹרְקִים עֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶם עָלֶיהָ וְאִם נוֹשְׂאִים עֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶם עָלֶיהָ, כְּשֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר וְכִפֶּר אַדְמָתוֹ עַמּוֹ הֱוֵי פּוֹרְקִים עֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶם עָלֶיהָ וְאֵין נוֹשְׂאִים עֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶם עָלֶיהָ. וְכֵן הָיָה רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: כָּל הַדָּר בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְקוֹרֵא קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע שַׁחֲרִית וְעַרְבִית וּמְדַבֵּר בִּלְשׁוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁ הֲרֵי הוּא בֶּן הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.
3. “The blood of His people cleanses (kiper) His Land” (Dt.32:43)—
on what basis do I know that
the murder of Israel by the nations of the world
brings Israel absolution (kaparah) in the coming eon?
For it is said:
“A song from Asaf:
God! Nations have invaded Your bequest . . .
they have fed to the birds Your servants’ bodies . . .
they have spilled their blood like water!” (Ps.79:1-3)
Another word:
“The blood of His people cleanses His Land” (Dt.32:43)—
on what basis do you claim that
the descent of the Wicked into Gehenna
accomplishes their absolution?
For it is said:
“I have your absolution, Egypt!
Ethiopia and Seva dwell in your nether-world,
because you are precious to Me.
You are honored and I have loved you;
thus, I placed [the descendants of] Adam beneath you” (Is.43:3-4)4. R. Meir used to teach:
Whoever lives in the Land of Israel—
she accomplishes his absolution,
As it is said:
“The people who dwell upon her are unburdened by iniquity” (Is.33:24).
Now, the resolution of the matter
depends upon a prior assumption!
For we still don’t know
whether their iniquities are removed by her
[and the sin is utterly extinguished],
or whether [they are] unburdened from her
[and the sin is merely overlooked].
Since He says:
“The blood of His people cleanses His Land” (Dt.32:43)—
the point is this:
Their iniquities are removed by her,
but they are not unburdened from her.
[Thus, life in the Land remits sin’s impact].
And, furthermore, R. Meir used to teach:
Whoever lives in the Land of Israel,
and recites the “Listen, Israel” both morning and evening,
and speaks the sacral language [in daily discourse]—
he is destined for the coming eon!
אָמַרְתָּ, גְּדוֹלָה שִׁירָה זוֹ שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ עַכְשָׁיו, וְיֵשׁ בָּהּ לְשֶׁעָבַר, וְיֵשׁ בָּהּ לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא, וְיֵשׁ בָּהּ בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְיֵשׁ בָּהּ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.
5. You should affirm:
How majestic is this Song!
For it addresses the present times,
the past times, and the future times,
as well as addressing
the present eon and the coming eon!