Pisqa’ 3331
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).2
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!