Pisqa’ 331¹

1

“When I sharpen it, My sword gleams”² (Dt.32:41)—

when retribution proceeds from Me, it is swift as lightning!

Despite this:

“Yet my hand grasps justice” (Dt.32:41).³

“I will return vengeance to My tormentors” (Dt.32:41)—

this is one [act of retribution].

“And will repay those who hate Me” (Dt.32:41)—

now, here’s a second!⁴

2

Another word:

“I will return vengeance to My tormentors” (Dt.32:41)—

this refers to the Samaritans,⁵

As it is said:

“And the tormentors of Judah and Benjamin heard” (Ezra.4:1).

“And I will repay those who hate Me” (Dt.32:41)—

this refers to the dissenters.

 

And so He says:

“Will I not hate those

who hate You, HASHEM?

And will I not struggle with those

who rebel against You?” (Ps.139:21)⁶

1. H:341;JN2:378
2. baraq as a verb (“gleam”) and as a noun (“lightening) is foundational to this pun.
3. Cf. Mechilta Ishmael, shirah, 4.
4. The text in smaller type is considered by F:381, n.1 to be an interpolation.
5. Heb: kutim. A second-temple religious-ethnic community, based in Samaria, with a long history of conflict with Judean-rabbinic Jews, who regarded them as practicing a debased form of quasi-Judaism (e.g., B. Qiddushin 75b). The first-century CE incorporation of Samaritan territories into the Roman province of Judea, exacerbated tensions between Judeans and Samaritans, which are reflected in rabbinic traditions such as the present one, as well as the gospel tradition (e.g., Luke 10:25-37).
6. Cf. ADRNA.16.