Pisqa’ 3241
1
“Is it2 not, indeed, stored up3 with me?” (Dt.32:34)—
R. Eliezer b. R. Yose the Galilean, says:
The cup, [formerly] filled with wine, is now lacking—
is it possible to say that it lost its flavor?
The Teaching states:
“For the cup is in the hand of HASHEM,
fermented wine, well-mixed” (Ps.75:9)—
Is it possible to say that
the cup is only half-full?
The Teaching states:
“Fermented wine, well-mixed” (Ps.75:9)—
[that is, filled to the brim].
Is it possible to say that
the cup lacks not even a single drop?
The Teaching states:
“But He poured from it” (Ps.75:9)—
from that very drop
did the generation of the Deluge drink,
and the generation of the Dispersion,
and the people of Sodom, and Pharaoh,
and Sisera’s army, and the masses of Sanacheriv,
and Nebuchadnezer’s armed force!
And from that same drop
is the entire world destined to drink,
till the end of all the generations!
2
And thus He says:
“And HASHEM of Retinues will prepare on this mountain,
for all the nations,
a banquet with rich meat, and a feast with strained wine” (Is.25:6)—
Is it possible to say that
the rich meat will be desirable,
but the wine will not be desirable?
The Teaching states:
“Rich meat, well-marrowed;
aged wine, strained of dregs” (Is.25:6)—
[both the meat and the wine are desirable],
but the rich meat has already begun to spoil
[and the wine will soon follow].
And, similarly, He says:
“Babylonia is a golden cup in the hand of HASHEM,
making the entire country drunk” (Jer.51:7)—
Just as a property of gold is that
once it is broken apart, it can be repaired,
so, too, once retribution has ceased to be exacted from the nations,
it will return to them.
But when retribution finally reaches Israel,
what does He say?
“And you shall drink it and suck it dry, chewing upon its shards” (Ezek.23:34)—
Just as a property of earthenware is that
once it is broken apart, it cannot be repaired,
so, too, as retribution ceases to be exacted from Israel,
it will not return to them!
3
“Sealed away in my store-house” (Dt.32:34)—
just as your store-house is sealed
and cannot produce new fruit,
so, too, the actions of the Wicked do not yield fruit.
And do you maintain that they do?
They would in fact spoil the world!
For so He says:
“Woe to the Wicked!
Evil befalls him as his deeds rebound upon him!” (Is.3:11)
But the actions of the Righteous do yield fruit,
and continue to yield yet more fruit.
And so He says:
“Praise the Righteous!
For they prosper, eating the fruits of their labors!” (Is.3:10) 4
Another word:
Just as your store-house is sealed and lacks for nothing,
so, too, the Righteous have taken nothing
of what they deserve in this eon.
4
Now, how do I know that
the Righteous have taken nothing
of what they deserve in this eon?
For it is said:
“How abundant is Your goodness
which You have hidden away for those who stand in awe of You!” (Ps.31:20)
And, how do I know that
the Wicked have taken nothing
of what they deserve in this eon?
For it is said:
“Is it not, indeed, stored up with me?” (Dt.32:34).
Now, when does each take what he deserves?
Tomorrow,
when liberation comes to Israel!”
As it is said:
“Vengeance is Mine! And restitution!” (Dt.32:35)