Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 19

עֲשָׂרָה דְבָרִים נִבְרְאוּ בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת בֵּין הַשְּׁמָשׁוֹת (אבות ה, ו) וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: פִּי הָאָרֶץ, פִּי הַבְּאֵר, פִּי הָאָתוֹן, הַקֶּשֶׁת, וְהַמָּן, וְהַמַּטֶּה, וְהַשָּׁמִיר, וְהַכְּתָב, וְהַמִּכְתָּב, וְהַלּוּחוֹת. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים אַף מַזִּיקִין וּקְבוּרָתוֹ שֶׁל מֹשֶׁה וְאֵילוֹ שֶׁל יִצְחָק, וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים אַף הַצְּבָת.

THE CREATION ON THE EVE OF THE SABBATH TEN things were created (on the eve of the Sabbath) in the twilight (namely): the mouth of the earth; the mouth of the well; the mouth of the ass; the rainbow; the Manna; the Shamir; the shape of the alphabet; the writing and the tables (of the law); and the ram of Abraham. (Some sages say: the destroying spirits also, and the sepulchre of Moses, and the ram of Isaac; and other sages say: the tongs also.)

בְּשֶׁבַע שָׁעוֹת בַּיּוֹם בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת נִכְנַס אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן בְּגַן עֵדֶן, וְהָיוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת מְקַלְּסִין אוֹתוֹ וּמַכְנִיסִין אוֹתוֹ לְגַן עֵדֶן. וּבֵין הַשְּׁמָשׁוֹת בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת גֹּרַשׁ וְיָצָא, וְהָיוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת קוֹרְאִין עָלָיו וְאוֹמְרִים (תהלים מט, יג): ״וְאָדָם בִּיקָר בַּל יָלִין נִמְשַׁל כַּבְּהֵמוֹת נִדְמוּ״. ״כַּבְּהֵמָה נִדְמוּ״ אֵין כְּתִיב כָּאן, אֶלָּא ״כַּבְּהֵמוֹת נִדְמוּ״ שְׁנֵיהֶם.

At the seventh hour (of the day on Friday), the first man entered the garden of Eden, and the ministering angels were praising before him, and dancing before him, and escorting him into the garden of Eden; and at twilight at the eve of Sabbath, he was driven forth, and he went out. The ministering angels were crying aloud concerning him, saying to him: "Man in glory tarrieth not overnight, when he is like the beasts that pass away" (Ps.xlix. 12).

בָּא יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת וְנַעֲשָׂה סָנֵגוֹר לָאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, אָמַר לְפָנָיו: ״רִבּוֹן הָעוֹלָמִים, בְּשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְרֵאשִׁית לֹא נֶהֱרַג הֶרֶג בָּעוֹלָם וּבִי אַתָּה מַתְחִיל? זוֹ הִיא קְדֻשָּׁתִי וְזוֹ הִיא בִּרְכָתִי?״ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית ב, ב): ״וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ״. וּבִזְכוּת יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת נִצַּל אָדָם מִדִּינָהּ שֶׁל גֵּיהִנֹּם. וְרָאָה אָדָם כֹּחָהּ שֶׁל שַׁבָּת, אָמַר: ״לֹא לְחִנָּם בֵּרַךְ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת וְקִדֵּשׁ אוֹתוֹ״. הִתְחִיל מְשׁוֹרֵר וּמְזַמֵּר לְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, א): ״מִזְמוֹר שִׁיר לְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת״. רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל אוֹמֵר: הַמִּזְמוֹר הַזֶּה אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן אֲמָרוֹ וְנִשְׁכַּח בְּכָל הַדּוֹרוֹת עַד שֶׁבָּא מֹשֶׁה וְחִדְּשׁוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִזְמוֹר שִׁיר לְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת״ – לְיוֹם שֶׁכֻּלּוֹ שַׁבָּת וּמְנוּחָה לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.

"Like a beast that passes away" is not written here, but "like the beasts that pass away," (so) were they both. The Sabbath day arrived and became an advocate for the first man, and it spake before Him: Sovereign of all worlds! No murderer has been slain in the world during the six days of creation, and wilt Thou commence (to do this) with me? Is this its sanctity, and is this its blessing? as it is said, "And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it" (Gen. 2:8). By the merit of the Sabbath day Adam was saved from the judgment of Gehinnom. When Adam perceived the power of the Sabbath, he said: Not for nought did the Holy One, blessed be He, bless and hallow the Sabbath day. He began to observe (the Sabbath) and to utter a psalm for the Sabbath day, and he said: "A psalm, a song for the Sabbath day" (Ps. 92:1). Rabbi Simeon said: The first man said this psalm, and it was forgotten throughout all the generations until Moses came and renewed it according to his name, "A psalm, a song for the Sabbath day" (ibid.), for the day which is entirely Sabbath and rest in the life of eternity.

״טוֹב לְהֹדוֹת לַה'״ (תהלים צב, ב). אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן אָמַר: בִּי יִלְמְדוּ כָּל הַדּוֹרוֹת שֶׁכָּל מִי שֶׁיּוֹדֶה פְּשָׁעָיו וְעוֹזֵב נִיצּוֹל מִדִּינָהּ שֶׁל גֵּיהִנֹּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״טוֹב לְהֹדוֹת לַה'״.

"It is good to confess to the Lord" (ibid.). The first man said: Let all the generations learn from me, that whosoever sings and utters psalms to the name of the Most High, and confesses his transgressions in the court of justice and abandons (them), will be delivered from the judgment of Gehinnom, as it is said, "It is good to confess to the Lord" (ibid.).

״לְהַגִּיד בַּבֹּקֶר חַסְדֶּךָ״ (תהלים צב, ג). לְכָל בָּאֵי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא שֶׁהוּא דּוֹמֶה לַבֹּקֶר. (תהלים צב, ג): ״וֶאֱמוּנָתְךָ בַּלֵּילוֹת״ לְכָל בָּאֵי הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה שֶׁהוּא דּוֹמֶה לַלַּיְלָה. יַגִּידוּ וְיֹאמְרוּ אֱמוּנָתוֹ וְחַסְדּוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁעָשָׂה עִמִּי וְהִצִּילַנִי מִדִּינָהּ שֶׁל גֵּיהִנֹּם.

"To declare thy loving-kindness in the morning" (Ps. 92:2). Adam said: (This refers to) all who enter this world which is like unto the night; and to all who come into the world to come, which is like unto the morning. They shall declare the faithfulness and love of the Holy One, blessed be He, which He has shown to me, (for He has) delivered me from the judgment of Gehinnom, as it is said, "To declare thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night" (ibid.).

״עֲלֵי עָשׂוֹר וַעֲלֵי נָבֶל״ (תהלים צב, ד). כָּל עֵדוּת נֶאֱמָנוֹת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בַּעֲשָׂרָה. הַכִּנּוֹר שֶׁהָיָה מְנַגֵּן בּוֹ דָּוִד בַּעֲשָׂרָה נִימִין, עֵדוּת בְּרִית מִילָה בַּעֲשָׂרָה, עֵדוּת הַמֵּת בַּעֲשָׂרָה, עֵדוּת בִּרְכַּת הַשֵּׁם בַּעֲשָׂרָה, עֵדוּת חֲלִיצָה בְּעֲשָׂרָה, עֵדוּת בִּרְכַּת נִשּׂוּאִין בַּעֲשָׂרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (רות ד, ב): ״וַיִּקַּח בֹּעַז עֲשָׂרָה אֲנָשִׁים מִזִּקְנֵי הָעִיר״.

"Upon a ten-stringed instrument and upon the psaltery" (Ps. 92:8). All testimonies reliable to Israel are (celebrated) with ten (males). The harp upon which David played had ten strings. The testimony for the dead is through ten (males). The testimony for the (public) benediction of (God's) Name is through ten (males). The testimony of the covenant of circumcision is through ten (males). The testimony for Chalizah is through ten (males), as it is said, "And he took ten men of the elders of the city" (Ruth 4:2).

אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: אֲנִי רוֹצֶה מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל הִגָּיוֹן פִּיהֶם מִנֵּבֶל וְכִנּוֹר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, ד): ״עֲלֵי הִגָּיוֹן בְּכִנּוֹר״.

The Holy One, blessed be He, said: I desire of Israel the meditation of their mouths like the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings, as it is said, "With the meditation of the harp" (Ps. 92:3).

״כִּי שִׂמַּחְתַּנִי ה' בְּפָעֳלֶךָ״ (תהלים צב, ה). אָמַר אָדָם: שִׂמְּחַנִי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְהִכְנִיסַנִי בְּגַן עֵדֶן, וְהֶרְאַנִי אַרְבַּע מַלְכֻיּוֹת מוֹשְׁלִין וְאוֹבְדִין, וְהֶרְאַנִי דָּוִד בֶּן יִשַׁי מוֹשֵׁל לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא. וְלָקַחְתִּי מִשְּׁנוֹתַי שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה וְהוֹסַפְתִּי עַל יָמָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים סא, ז): ״יָמִים עַל יְמֵי מֶלֶךְ תּוֹסִיף שְׁנוֹתָיו כְּמוֹ דֹר וָדֹר״. וְנָתַתִּי לָאֵל רְנָן וְשֶׁבַח וְזֶמֶר מִמַּעֲשָׂיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, ה): ״בְּמַעֲשֵׂי יָדֶיךָ אֲרַנֵּן״.

"For thou, O Lord, hast made me glad through thy work" (Ps. 92:4). Adam said: The Holy One, blessed be He, had made me glad and brought me into the garden of Eden, and showed me the place of the abode of the righteous in the garden of Eden, and He showed me the four kingdoms, their rule and their destruction; and He showed me David, the son of Jesse, and his dominion in the future that is to come. I took from my years seventy years and added them to his days, as it is said, "Thou wilt add days to the days of the king; his years shall be as many generations" (Ps. 61:6). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Thou wilt add days to the days of (the king Messiah); I also will add to his years in the future which is to come, as though they were many generations, as it is said, "His years shall be as many generations" (ibid.). I have given to God praise, and song (lauding) His works, as it is said, "I will sing of the works of thy hands" (Ps. 92:4).

״מַה גָּדְלוּ מַעֲשֶׂיךָ ה'״ (תהלים צב, ו). הִתְחִיל מְפָאֵר וּמְהַלֵּל לַשֵּׁם עֶלְיוֹן וְאוֹמֵר מַה גָּדְלוּ מַעֲשֶׂיךָ ה', אֲבָל לְעֹמֶק מַחְשְׁבוֹתֶיךָ תְּהוֹם רַבָּה לִמְאֹד מְאֹד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, ו): ״מְאֹד עָמְקוּ מַחְשְׁבֹתֶיךָ״; (תהלים צב, ז): ״אִישׁ בַּעַר לֹא יֵדָע״, אָדָם שֶׁהוּא בַּעַר מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל וְלֹא לָמַד בִּינָה חַכְמֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יְלַמְּדוּהוּ בִּינָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צד, ח): ״בִּינוּ בֹּעֲרִים בָּעָם״, אֲבָל אָדָם בָּקִי בְּעַכּוּ״ם הוּא כְּסִיל לָמָּה שֶׁאֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, ז): ״וּכְסִיל לֹא יָבִין אֶת זֹאת״.

"How great are thy works, O Lord!" (Ps. 92:5). Adam began to glorify and to praise the Name of the Most High, as it is said, "How great are thy works, O Lord!" (ibid.) but Thy thoughts are very deep, like the great deep exceedingly (deep), as it is said, "Thy thoughts are very deep" (ibid.). "A brutish man knoweth not" (Ps. 92:6). Every man of Israel who is brutish (in knowledge) and has not learnt understanding, let the wise men of Israel teach him the ways of the Torah, as it is said, "Consider, ye brutish among the people" (Ps. 94:8). But a man who is an expert among the nations of the world is still foolish. Why? For he knoweth not the words of the Torah, as it is said, "Neither doth a fool understand this" (Ps. 92:6).

״בִּפְרֹחַ רְשָׁעִים כְּמוֹ עֵשֶׂב״ (תהלים צב, ח). בִּזְמַן שֶׁאַתָּה רוֹאֶה רְשָׁעִים שֶׁרָבוּ כְּמוֹ עֵשֶׂב לְכַסּוֹת אֶת פְּנֵי הָאָרֶץ וְהֵצִיצוּ כָּל עוֹבְדֵי עֲכוּ״ם שֶׁהֵם וּמַעֲשֵׂיהֶם אָוֶן רַע לִימוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ, וְהָרְשָׁעִים שֶׁרָבוּ כְּמוֹ עֵשֶׂב לֹא הִרְבָּן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶלָּא לְאַבְּדָן מִן הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וּמִן הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. (תהלים צב, ח): ״לְהִשָּׁמְדָם עֲדֵי עַד״, (תהלים צב, ט): ״וְאַתָּה מָרוֹם לְעֹלָם ה'״. רָאָה דָּוִד שֶׁרָבוּ רְשָׁעִים כְּמוֹ עֵשֶׂב לְכַסּוֹת אֶת פְּנֵי כָּל הָאָרֶץ וְהֵצִיצוּ כָּל עוֹבְדֵי עֲכוּ״ם שֶׁהֵם וּמַעֲשֵׂיהֶם אָוֶן, וְלֹא אָמַר הַלְלוּיָהּ עַד שֶׁרָאָה שֶׁהֵן עֲתִידִין לְהִשָּׁמֵד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים קד, לה): ״יִתַּמּוּ חַטָּאִים מִן הָאָרֶץ״, וְאָז הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מֶלֶךְ מְרוֹמָם בָּעֶלְיוֹנִים וּבַתַּחְתּוֹנִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, ט): ״וְאַתָּה מָרוֹם לְעֹלָם ה'״.

"When the wicked spring up as the grass" (Ps. 92:7). True (it is) that Thou, O Lord, beholdest the wicked, that they are as numerous as the grass to cover the face of all the earth, and all the worshippers of idols flourish, (Thou knowest) that they and their works are an evil iniquity for the days of the Messiah. The Holy One, blessed be He, has only multiplied them in order to destroy them from this world and from the world to come, as it is said, "To have them destroyed for ever and ever. And thou, O Lord, art on high for evermore" (Ps. 92:7, 8). David saw that the wicked increased like grass, (so as) to cover the face of all the earth, and that all the worshippers of idols flourished, and that they and their works were iniquity, and he did not say "Hallelujah" ("praise ye the Lord") until he perceived that in the future they would be destroyed from this world and from the world to come; and he said "Hallelujah," as it is said, "Sinners shall be consumed out of the earth, and the wicked shall be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord" (Ps. 104:35). (Then will He be) King exalted in the heights and in the depths, as it is said, "And thou, O Lord, art on high for evermore" (Ps. 92:8).

״כִּי הִנֵּה אֹיְבֶיךָ ה'״ (תהלים צב, י). אָמְרוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹן כָּל הָעוֹלָמִים, נָתְנוּ אוֹיְבֶיךָ עָלֵינוּ עֹל קָשֶׁה עַל צַוָּארֵינוּ, אֲבָל אָנוּ יוֹדְעִין שֶׁהֵן לַאֲבַדָּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, י): ״כִּי הִנֵּה אֹיְבֶיךָ יֹאבֵדוּ״, וְכָל עַכּוּ״ם יִתְפָּרְדוּ כְּמוֹץ לִפְנֵי רוּחַ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, י): ״יִתְפָּרְדוּ כָּל פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן״.

"For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord" (Ps. 92:9); Israel said: Sovereign of all worlds! Thou hast placed all our enemies over us (to afflict us with) a heavy yoke on our backs, but we know that they are doomed to destruction, as it is said, "O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish" (ibid.). And all idolaters, for they and their works are iniquity, shall be scattered like chaff before the wind.

״וַתָּרֶם כִּרְאֵים קַרְנִי״ (תהלים צב, יא). מָה רְאֵם קַרְנוֹתָיו גְּבוֹהוֹת מִכָּל בְּהֵמָה וְהוּא מְנַגֵּחַ לִימִינוֹ וְלִשְׂמֹאלוֹ, כָּךְ מְנַחֵם בֶּן עַמִּיאֵל בֶּן יוֹסֵף קַרְנוֹתָיו גְּבוֹהוֹת מִכָּל בְּהֵמָה וּמְנַגֵּחַ לְד' רוּחוֹת הָעוֹלָם וְעָלָיו אָמַר מֹשֶׁה (דברים לג, יז): ״בְּכוֹר שׁוֹרוֹ הָדָר לוֹ וְקַרְנֵי רְאֵם קַרְנָיו״ וְעִמּוֹ רִבְבוֹת אֶפְרַיִם וְאַלְפֵי מְנַשֶּׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים לג, יז): ״וְהֵם רִבְבוֹת אֶפְרַיִם וְהֵם אַלְפֵי מְנַשֶּׁה״, וְעָלָיו יִתְיַצְּבוּ מְלָכִים לְהָרְגוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים ב, ב): ״יִתְיַצְּבוּ מַלְכֵי-אֶרֶץ״ וְיִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁבָּאָרֶץ בְּצָרָה גְדוֹלָה אֲבָל צָרָתָהּ כְּזַיִת רַעֲנָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, יא): ״בַּלֹּתִי בְּשֶׁמֶן רַעֲנָן״.

"But my horn hast thou exalted like that of the reêm" (Ps. 92:10). Just as the horns of the reêm are taller than those of all beasts and animals, and it gores to its right and to its left, likewise (is it with) Menachem, son of 'Ammiel, son of Joseph, his horns are taller than those of all kings, and he will gore in the future towards the four corners of the heavens, and concerning him Moses said this verse, "His firstling bullock, majesty is his, and his horns are the horns of the reêm: with them he shall gore the peoples all of them, even the ends of the earth" (Deut. 33:17). All the kings will rise up against him to slay him, as it is said, "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers (take counsel together)" (Ps. 2:2). And Israel who (will be) in the Land (of Palestine) (will experience) great trouble, but in their troubles they (will be) like a green olive, as it is said, "I am anointed with fresh oil" (Ps. 92:10).

״וַתַּבֵּט עֵינִי בְּשׁוּרָי״. יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁבָּאָרֶץ רוֹאִין בְּמַפַּלְתָּן שֶׁל שׂוֹנְאִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, יב): ״וַתַּבֵּט עֵינִי בְּשׁוּרָי״.

"Mine eyes have looked on mine enemies" (Ps. 92:11). The Israelites in the Land (of Israel) behold the downfall of their enemies, as it is said, "Mine eyes have looked on mine enemies" (ibid.). And such who in the future will come against them (Israel), their ears shall hear of their destruction, as it is said, "Mine ears have heard concerning the evil-doers that rise up against me" (ibid.).

״צַדִּיק כַּתָּמָר יִפְרָח״ (תהלים צב, יג). מַה תְּמָרָה זוֹ נָאָה בְּמַרְאֶיהָ וְכָל פֵּרוֹתֶיהָ מְתוּקִים וְטוֹבִים, כָּךְ בֶּן דָּוִד נָאֶה בְּמַרְאֵהוּ וּכְבוֹדוֹ וְכָל מַעֲשָׂיו טוֹבִים וּמְתוּקִים לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא. (תהלים צב, יג): ״כְּאֶרֶז בַּלְּבָנוֹן יִשְׂגֶּה״, מַה הָאֶרֶז שֶׁבַּלְּבָנוֹן שָׁרָשָׁיו מְרֻבִּים לְמַטָּה בָּאָרֶץ וַאֲפִלּוּ כָּל רוּחוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם בָּאוֹת וְנוֹשְׁבוֹת בּוֹ אֵין מְזִיזִין אוֹתוֹ מִמְּקוֹמוֹ, כָּךְ בֶּן דָּוִד כֹּחוֹ וּמַעֲשָׂיו לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מְרֻבִּים אֲפִלּוּ כָּל הָעַכּוּ״ם בָּאִין עָלָיו אֵין מְזִיזִין אוֹתוֹ מִמְּקוֹמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר כְּאֶרֶז בַּלְּבָנוֹן יִשְׂגֶּה. (תהלים צב, יד): ״שְׁתוּלִים בְּבֵית ה'״, עָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְקַבֵּץ כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת הָאָרֶץ, כְּגוֹן הַגַּנָּן הַזֶּה שֶׁנּוֹטֵעַ מֵעֲרוּגָה לַעֲרוּגָה כָּךְ עָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִטַּע אוֹתָם מֵאֶרֶץ טְמֵאָה לְאֶרֶץ טְהוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר שְׁתוּלִים בְּבֵית ה' וְכְעֵשֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה יִפְרְחוּ וְיִצְמְחוּ בְּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, יד): ״בְּחַצְרוֹת אֱלֹהֵינוּ יַפְרִיחוּ״.

"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree" (Ps. 92:12). Just as this palm tree is beautiful in all its appearance, and all its fruits are sweet and good, likewise the son of David is beautiful in his appearance and in his glory, and all his deeds are good and sweet before the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is said, "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon" (ibid.). Just as this cedar has very many roots beneath the earth, and even if the four winds of the world came against it, they could not move it from its place, as it is said, "He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They that are planted in the house of the Lord" (Ps. 92:12, 13). In the future when the Holy One, blessed be He, will gather Israel from the four corners of the world, just like this gardener who transplants his fir trees from one garden-bed to another garden-bed, likewise in the future will the Holy One, blessed be He, gather them from an impure land and (plant them) in a pure land, as it is said, "They that are planted in the house of the Lord" (ibid.). Like this grass, they shall blossom and sprout forth in the Temple, as it is said, "In the courts of our God they shall flourish" (ibid.).

״עוֹד יְנוּבוּן בְּשֵׂיבָה״ (תהלים צב, טו). מָה הַשֵּׂיבָה הַזּוֹ הָדָר וְכָבוֹד לַזְּקֵנִים, כָּךְ הֵם הָדָר וְכָבוֹד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, טו): ״דְּשֵׁנִים וְרַעֲנַנִּים יִהְיוּ״. (תהלים צב, טז): ״לְהַגִּיד כִּי יָשָׁר ה'״, כָּל אֵלּוּ לָמָּה? לְהַגִּיד, לְהַלֵּל וּלְשַׁנֵּן כֹּחַ מַעֲשָׂיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וּלְהַגִּיד שֶׁהוּא צַדִּיק וְיָשָׁר וְאֵין עָוֶל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צב, טז): ״צוּרִי וְלֹא עַוְלָתָה בּוֹ״.

"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age" (Ps. 92:14). Just as this old age is glory and honour to old men, so shall they be in glory and honour before the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is said, "They shall be full of sap and green" (ibid.). These are the mighty heroes by reason of their good deeds, as it is said, "They shall be full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright" (Ps. 92:14, 15). Why all these (statements)? To declare, and to proclaim clearly the works of the Holy One, blessed be He, for He is righteous and upright, and that there is no unrighteousness (in Him), as it is said, "And there is no unrighteousness in him" (Ps. 92:15).