1. Hebrew Bible, Genesis, 14.18-14.20 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
14.18. וּמַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק מֶלֶךְ שָׁלֵם הוֹצִיא לֶחֶם וָיָיִן וְהוּא כֹהֵן לְאֵל עֶלְיוֹן׃ 14.19. וַיְבָרְכֵהוּ וַיֹּאמַר בָּרוּךְ אַבְרָם לְאֵל עֶלְיוֹן קֹנֵה שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ׃ | 14.18. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was priest of God the Most High." 14.19. And he blessed him, and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Maker of heaven and earth;" 14.20. and blessed be God the Most High, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.’ And he gave him a tenth of all." |
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2. Hebrew Bible, Psalms, 82.1, 106.35-106.38 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
82.1. מִזְמוֹר לְאָסָף אֱלֹהִים נִצָּב בַּעֲדַת־אֵל בְּקֶרֶב אֱלֹהִים יִשְׁפֹּט׃ 106.35. וַיִּתְעָרְבוּ בַגּוֹיִם וַיִּלְמְדוּ מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם׃ 106.36. וַיַּעַבְדוּ אֶת־עֲצַבֵּיהֶם וַיִּהְיוּ לָהֶם לְמוֹקֵשׁ׃ 106.37. וַיִּזְבְּחוּ אֶת־בְּנֵיהֶם וְאֶת־בְּנוֹתֵיהֶם לַשֵּׁדִים׃ 106.38. וַיִּשְׁפְּכוּ דָם נָקִי דַּם־בְּנֵיהֶם וּבְנוֹתֵיהֶם אֲשֶׁר זִבְּחוּ לַעֲצַבֵּי כְנָעַן וַתֶּחֱנַף הָאָרֶץ בַּדָּמִים׃ | 82.1. A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of God; in the midst of the judges He judgeth:" 106.35. But mingled themselves with the nations, And learned their works;" 106.36. And they served their idols, Which became a snare unto them;" 106.37. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons," 106.38. And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with blood." |
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3. Hebrew Bible, Isaiah, 44.28, 45.1-45.3, 60.22 (8th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
44.28. הָאֹמֵר לְכוֹרֶשׁ רֹעִי וְכָל־חֶפְצִי יַשְׁלִם וְלֵאמֹר לִירוּשָׁלִַם תִּבָּנֶה וְהֵיכָל תִּוָּסֵד׃ 45.1. הוֹי אֹמֵר לְאָב מַה־תּוֹלִיד וּלְאִשָּׁה מַה־תְּחִילִין׃ 45.1. כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה לִמְשִׁיחוֹ לְכוֹרֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־הֶחֱזַקְתִּי בִימִינוֹ לְרַד־לְפָנָיו גּוֹיִם וּמָתְנֵי מְלָכִים אֲפַתֵּחַ לִפְתֹּחַ לְפָנָיו דְּלָתַיִם וּשְׁעָרִים לֹא יִסָּגֵרוּ׃ 45.2. אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ אֵלֵךְ וַהֲדוּרִים אושר [אֲיַשֵּׁר] דַּלְתוֹת נְחוּשָׁה אֲשַׁבֵּר וּבְרִיחֵי בַרְזֶל אֲגַדֵּעַ׃ 45.2. הִקָּבְצוּ וָבֹאוּ הִתְנַגְּשׁוּ יַחְדָּו פְּלִיטֵי הַגּוֹיִם לֹא יָדְעוּ הַנֹּשְׂאִים אֶת־עֵץ פִּסְלָם וּמִתְפַּלְלִים אֶל־אֵל לֹא יוֹשִׁיעַ׃ 45.3. וְנָתַתִּי לְךָ אוֹצְרוֹת חֹשֶׁךְ וּמַטְמֻנֵי מִסְתָּרִים לְמַעַן תֵּדַע כִּי־אֲנִי יְהוָה הַקּוֹרֵא בְשִׁמְךָ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃ 60.22. הַקָּטֹן יִהְיֶה לָאֶלֶף וְהַצָּעִיר לְגוֹי עָצוּם אֲנִי יְהוָה בְּעִתָּהּ אֲחִישֶׁנָּה׃ | 44.28. That saith of Cyrus: ‘He is My shepherd, And shall perform all My pleasure’; Even saying of Jerusalem: ‘She shall be built’; And to the temple: ‘My foundation shall be laid.’" 45.1. Thus saith the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him, and to loose the loins of kings; to open the doors before him, and that the gates may not be shut:" 45.2. I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron;" 45.3. And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I am the LORD, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel." 60.22. The smallest shall become a thousand, And the least a mighty nation; I the LORD will hasten it in its time." |
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4. Hebrew Bible, Zechariah, 9.9 (5th cent. BCE - 4th cent. BCE)
9.9. גִּילִי מְאֹד בַּת־צִיּוֹן הָרִיעִי בַּת יְרוּשָׁלִַם הִנֵּה מַלְכֵּךְ יָבוֹא לָךְ צַדִּיק וְנוֹשָׁע הוּא עָנִי וְרֹכֵב עַל־חֲמוֹר וְעַל־עַיִר בֶּן־אֲתֹנוֹת׃ | 9.9. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; Behold, thy king cometh unto thee, He is triumphant, and victorious, Lowly, and riding upon an ass, Even upon a colt the foal of an ass." |
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5. Anon., 1 Enoch, 14.18, 69.29 (3rd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 14.18. of the stars, and its ceiling also was flaming fire. And I looked and saw therein a lofty throne: its appearance was as crystal, and the wheels thereof as the shining sun, and there was the vision of 69.29. And from henceforth there shall be nothing corruptible; For that Son of Man has appeared, And has seated himself on the throne of his glory, And all evil shall pass away before his face, And the word of that Son of Man shall go forthAnd be strong before the Lord of Spirits. |
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6. Dead Sea Scrolls, War Scroll, 5.1, 12.9, 13.10, 17.6-17.7 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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7. Dead Sea Scrolls, 4Q174 (The Florilegium) 195, 199, 339, 0 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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8. Dead Sea Scrolls, 4Q285, 0 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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9. Dead Sea Scrolls, Catena A, 0 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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10. Dead Sea Scrolls, Damascus Document, 8.16, 19.29 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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11. Dead Sea Scrolls, Damascus Document, 8.16, 19.29 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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12. Dead Sea Scrolls, Hodayot, 0 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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13. Dead Sea Scrolls, Hodayot, 0 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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14. Dead Sea Scrolls, Mmt, 0 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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15. Hebrew Bible, Daniel, 7.13, 10.13, 10.21, 12.1-12.2 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
7.13. חָזֵה הֲוֵית בְּחֶזְוֵי לֵילְיָא וַאֲרוּ עִם־עֲנָנֵי שְׁמַיָּא כְּבַר אֱנָשׁ אָתֵה הֲוָה וְעַד־עַתִּיק יוֹמַיָּא מְטָה וּקְדָמוֹהִי הַקְרְבוּהִי׃ 10.13. וְשַׂר מַלְכוּת פָּרַס עֹמֵד לְנֶגְדִּי עֶשְׂרִים וְאֶחָד יוֹם וְהִנֵּה מִיכָאֵל אַחַד הַשָּׂרִים הָרִאשֹׁנִים בָּא לְעָזְרֵנִי וַאֲנִי נוֹתַרְתִּי שָׁם אֵצֶל מַלְכֵי פָרָס׃ 10.21. אֲבָל אַגִּיד לְךָ אֶת־הָרָשׁוּם בִּכְתָב אֱמֶת וְאֵין אֶחָד מִתְחַזֵּק עִמִּי עַל־אֵלֶּה כִּי אִם־מִיכָאֵל שַׂרְכֶם׃ 12.1. יִתְבָּרֲרוּ וְיִתְלַבְּנוּ וְיִצָּרְפוּ רַבִּים וְהִרְשִׁיעוּ רְשָׁעִים וְלֹא יָבִינוּ כָּל־רְשָׁעִים וְהַמַּשְׂכִּלִים יָבִינוּ׃ 12.1. וּבָעֵת הַהִיא יַעֲמֹד מִיכָאֵל הַשַּׂר הַגָּדוֹל הָעֹמֵד עַל־בְּנֵי עַמֶּךָ וְהָיְתָה עֵת צָרָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא־נִהְיְתָה מִהְיוֹת גּוֹי עַד הָעֵת הַהִיא וּבָעֵת הַהִיא יִמָּלֵט עַמְּךָ כָּל־הַנִּמְצָא כָּתוּב בַּסֵּפֶר׃ 12.2. וְרַבִּים מִיְּשֵׁנֵי אַדְמַת־עָפָר יָקִיצוּ אֵלֶּה לְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם וְאֵלֶּה לַחֲרָפוֹת לְדִרְאוֹן עוֹלָם׃ | 7.13. I saw in the night visions, And, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven One like unto a son of man, And he came even to the Ancient of days, And he was brought near before Him." 10.13. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I was left over there beside the kings of Persia." 10.21. Howbeit I will declare unto thee that which is inscribed in the writing of truth; and there is none that holdeth with me against these, except Michael your prince." 12.1. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." 12.2. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to reproaches and everlasting abhorrence." |
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16. Josephus Flavius, Jewish Antiquities, 10.78-10.79 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 10.78. But all the people mourned greatly for him, lamenting and grieving on his account many days; and Jeremiah the prophet composed an elegy to lament him, which is extant till this time also. 10.79. Moreover, this prophet denounced beforehand the sad calamities that were coming upon the city. He also left behind him in writing a description of that destruction of our nation which has lately happened in our days, and the taking of Babylon; nor was he the only prophet who delivered such predictions beforehand to the multitude, but so did Ezekiel also, who was the first person that wrote, and left behind him in writing two books concerning these events. |
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17. New Testament, Apocalypse, 12 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
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18. New Testament, Hebrews, 5.5-5.6, 7.26-7.28, 8.5, 9.11-9.12 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 5.5. So also Christ didn't glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, "You are my Son. Today I have become your father. 5.6. As he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, After the order of Melchizedek. 7.26. For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 7.27. who doesn't need, like those high priests, to daily offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For this he did once for all, when he offered up himself. 7.28. For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected. 8.5. who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, "See, you shall make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain. 9.11. But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation 9.12. nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption. |
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19. New Testament, Matthew, 5.21-5.22 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 5.21. You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, 'You shall not murder;' and 'Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.' 5.22. But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna. |
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20. Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin, None (3rd cent. CE - 6th cent. CE)
98a. מלכים יראו וקמו שרים וישתחוו,אמר לו רבי אליעזר והלא כבר נאמר (ירמיהו ד, א) אם תשוב ישראל נאום ה' אלי תשוב אמר לו רבי יהושע והלא כבר נאמר (דניאל יב, ז) ואשמע את האיש לבוש הבדים אשר ממעל למימי היאור וירם ימינו ושמאלו אל השמים וישבע בחי העולם כי למועד מועדים וחצי וככלות נפץ יד עם קדש תכלינה כל אלה וגו' ושתק רבי אליעזר,ואמר רבי אבא אין לך קץ מגולה מזה שנאמר (יחזקאל לו, ח) ואתם הרי ישראל ענפכם תתנו ופריכם תשאו לעמי ישראל וגו' רבי (אליעזר) אומר אף מזה שנאמר (זכריה ח, י) כי לפני הימים (האלה) [ההם] שכר האדם לא נהיה ושכר הבהמה איננה וליוצא ולבא אין שלום מן הצר,מאי ליוצא ולבא אין שלום מן הצר רב אמר אף תלמידי חכמים שכתוב בהם שלום דכתיב (תהלים קיט, קסה) שלום רב לאהבי תורתך אין שלום מפני צר ושמואל אמר עד שיהיו כל השערים כולן שקולין,אמר רבי חנינא אין בן דוד בא עד שיתבקש דג לחולה ולא ימצא שנאמר (יחזקאל לב, יד) אז אשקיע מימיהם ונהרותם כשמן אוליך וכתב (בתריה) (יחזקאל כט, כא) ביום ההוא אצמיח קרן לבית ישראל,אמר רבי חמא בר חנינא אין בן דוד בא עד שתכלה מלכות הזלה מישראל שנאמר (ישעיהו יח, ה) וכרת הזלזלים במזמרות וכתיב בתריה בעת ההיא יובל שי לה' צבאות עם ממשך ומורט,אמר זעירי אמר רבי חנינא אין בן דוד בא עד שיכלו גסי הרוח מישראל שנאמר (צפניה ג, יא) כי אז אסיר מקרבך עליזי גאותך וכתיב (צפניה ג, יב) והשארתי בקרבך עם עני ודל וחסו בשם ה',אמר רבי שמלאי משום רבי אלעזר בר"ש אין בן דוד בא עד שיכלו כל שופטים ושוטרים מישראל שנאמר (ישעיהו א, כה) ואשיבה ידי עליך ואצרוף כבור סיגיך וגו' ואשיבה שופטיך,אמר עולא אין ירושלים נפדית אלא בצדקה שנאמר (ישעיהו א, כז) ציון במשפט תפדה ושביה בצדקה אמר רב פפא אי בטלי יהירי בטלי אמגושי אי בטלי דייני בטלי גזירפטי אי בטלי יהירי בטלי אמגושי דכתיב (ישעיהו א, כה) ואצרוף כבור סיגיך ואסירה כל בדיליך ואי בטלי דייני בטלי גזירפטי דכתיב (צפניה ג, טו) הסיר ה' משפטיך פנה אויבך,אמר ר' יוחנן אם ראית דור שמתמעט והולך חכה לו שנאמר (שמואל ב כב, כח) ואת עם עני תושיע וגו' אמר רבי יוחנן אם ראית דור שצרות רבות באות עליו כנהר חכה לו שנאמר (ישעיהו נט, יט) כי יבא כנהר צר (ו) רוח ה' נוססה בו וסמיך ליה ובא לציון גואל,ואמר רבי יוחנן אין בן דוד בא אלא בדור שכולו זכאי או כולו חייב בדור שכולו זכאי דכתיב (ישעיהו ס, כא) ועמך כולם צדיקים לעולם יירשו ארץ בדור שכולו חייב דכתיב (ישעיהו נט, טז) וירא כי אין איש וישתומם כי אין מפגיע וכתיב (ישעיהו מח, יא) למעני אעשה,אמר רבי אלכסנדרי רבי יהושע בן לוי רמי כתיב (ישעיהו ס, כב) בעתה וכתיב אחישנה זכו אחישנה לא זכו בעתה,אמר רבי אלכסנדרי רבי יהושע בן לוי רמי כתיב (דניאל ז, יג) וארו עם ענני שמיא כבר אינש אתה וכתיב (זכריה ט, ט) עני ורוכב על חמור זכו עם ענני שמיא לא זכו עני רוכב על חמור,אמר ליה שבור מלכא לשמואל אמריתו משיח על חמרא אתי אישדר ליה סוסיא ברקא דאית לי אמר ליה מי אית לך בר חיור גווני,ר' יהושע בן לוי אשכח לאליהו דהוי קיימי אפיתחא דמערתא דרבי שמעון בן יוחאי אמר ליה אתינא לעלמא דאתי אמר ליה אם ירצה אדון הזה אמר רבי יהושע בן לוי שנים ראיתי וקול ג' שמעתי,אמר ליה אימת אתי משיח אמר ליה זיל שייליה לדידיה והיכא יתיב אפיתחא דקרתא ומאי סימניה יתיב ביני עניי סובלי חלאים וכולן שרו ואסירי בחד זימנא איהו שרי חד ואסיר חד אמר דילמא מבעינא דלא איעכב,אזל לגביה אמר ליה שלום עליך רבי ומורי אמר ליה שלום עליך בר ליואי א"ל לאימת אתי מר א"ל היום אתא לגבי אליהו א"ל מאי אמר לך א"ל שלום עליך בר ליואי א"ל אבטחך לך ולאבוך לעלמא דאתי א"ל שקורי קא שקר בי דאמר לי היום אתינא ולא אתא א"ל הכי אמר לך (תהלים צה, ז) היום אם בקולו תשמעו,שאלו תלמידיו את רבי יוסי בן קיסמא אימתי בן דוד בא אמר מתיירא אני שמא תבקשו ממני אות אמרו לו אין אנו מבקשין ממך אות,א"ל לכשיפול השער הזה ויבנה ויפול ויבנה ויפול ואין מספיקין לבנותו עד שבן דוד בא אמרו לו רבינו תן לנו אות אמר להם ולא כך אמרתם לי שאין אתם מבקשין ממני אות,אמרו לו ואף על פי כן אמר להם אם כך יהפכו מי מערת פמייס לדם ונהפכו לדם,בשעת פטירתו אמר להן העמיקו לי ארוני | 98a. bKings shall see and arise, princes shall prostrate themselves,because of the Lord, Who is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, Who has chosen you” (Isaiah 49:7), indicating that redemption will come independent of repentance?, bRabbi Eliezer said to him: But isn’t it already stated: “If you will return, Israel, says the Lord, return to Me”(Jeremiah 4:1), indicating that redemption is contingent upon repentance? bRabbi Yehoshua said to him: But isn’t it already stated: “And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to heaven and swore by the One Who lives forever that it shall be for a period, periods, and a half; when the crushing of the power of the holy people shall have been completed, all thesethings shall be finished” (Daniel 12:7), indicating that the time for redemption is set and unrelated to repentance? bAnd Rabbi Eliezer was silent,unable to refute the proof from that verse.,§ bAnd Rabbi Abba says: You have nomore bexplicitmanifestation of the bendof days bthan thisfollowing phenomenon, bas it is stated: “But you, mountains of Israel, you shall give your branches, and yield your fruit to My people of Israel,for they will soon be coming” (Ezekiel 36:8). When produce will grow in abundance in Eretz Yisrael, it is an indication that the Messiah will be coming soon. bRabbi Eliezer says:You have no greater manifestation of the end of days bthan thisfollowing phenomenon bas well, as it is stated: “For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; nor was there peace from the oppressor to him who exits and to him who enters”(Zechariah 8:10). When there are no wages for work and no rent paid for use of one’s animal, that is an indication that the coming of the Messiah is at hand.,The Gemara asks: bWhatis the meaning of the phrase: b“Nor was there peace from the oppressor to him who exits and to him who enters”? Rav says:It means that bevenfor bTorah scholars, with regard to whomthe promise of bpeace is written, as it is written: “Great peace have they who love Your Torah;and there is no obstacle for them” (Psalms 119:165), bthere will be no peace from the oppressor. And Shmuel says:It means that the Messiah will not come buntil all the prices are equal. /b, bRabbi Ḥanina says: The son of David will not come until a fish will be sought for an ill person and will not be found, as it is statedwith regard to the downfall of Egypt: b“Then I will make their waters clear and cause their rivers to run like oil”(Ezekiel 32:14), meaning that the current in the rivers will come to a virtual standstill. bAnd it is written thereafter: “On that day I will cause the glory of the house of Israel to flourish”(Ezekiel 29:21)., bRabbi Ḥama bar Ḥanina says: The son of David will not come until the contemptuous [ ihazalla /i] kingdomof Rome bwill cease from the Jewish people, as it is stated: “And He shall sever the sprigs [ ihazalzallim /i] with pruning hooks”(Isaiah 18:5). bAnd it is written thereafter: “At that time shall a present be brought to the Lord of hosts, by a people scattered and hairless”(Isaiah 18:7)., bZe’eiri saysthat bRabbi Ḥanina says: The son of David will not come until the arrogant will ceaseto exist bfromamong bthe Jewish people, as it is stated: “For then I will remove from your midst your proudly exulting ones”(Zephaniah 3:11), band it is writtenafterward: b“And I will leave in your midst a poor and lowly people, and they shall take refuge in the name of the Lord”(Zephaniah 3:12)., bRabbi Simlai says in the name of Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon: The son of David will not come until all the judges and officers will ceaseto exist bfromamong bthe Jewish people,and there will be no more autonomous government in Eretz Yisrael, bas it is stated: “And I will turn My hand against you and purge away your dross as with lyeand take away your base alloy. bAnd I will restore your judgesas at the first” (Isaiah 1:25–26)., bUlla says: Jerusalem is redeemed only by means of righteousness, as it is stated: “Zion shall be redeemed with justice and those who return to it with righteousness”(Isaiah 1:27). bRav Pappa says: If the arrogant will ceaseto exist, bthePersian bsorcerers will ceaseto exist as well. bIf thedeceitful bjudgeswill bceaseto exist, bthe royal officers [ igazirpatei /i]and taskmasters bwill ceaseto exist. Rav Pappa elaborates: bIf the arrogant will cease, thePersian bsorcerers will cease, as it is written: “And I will purge away your dross [ isigayikh /i] as with lye, and I will remove all your alloy [ ibedilayikh /i].”When the arrogant [ isigim /i] are purged, the sorcerers, who are separated [ imuvdalim /i] from the fear of God, will also cease. bAnd if thedeceitful bjudges ceaseto exist, bthe royal officersand taskmasters bwill ceaseto exist, bas it is written: “The Lord has removed your judgments; cast out your enemy”(Zephaniah 3:15)., bRabbi Yoḥa says: If you saw a generation whosewisdom and Torah study bis steadily diminishing, awaitthe coming of the Messiah, bas it is stated: “And the afflicted people You will redeem”(II Samuel 22:28). bRabbi Yoḥa says: If you saw a generationwhose btroubles inundate it like a river, awaitthe coming of the Messiah, bas it is stated: “When distress will come like a river that the breath of the Lord drives”(Isaiah 59:19). bAnd juxtaposed to itis the verse: b“And a redeemer will come to Zion”(Isaiah 59:20)., bAnd Rabbi Yoḥa says: The son of David will come only in a generation that is entirely innocent,in which case they will be deserving of redemption, borin a generation that is bentirely guilty,in which case there will be no alternative to redemption. He may come bin a generation that is entirely innocent, as it is written: “And your people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever”(Isaiah 60:21). He may come bin a generation that is entirely guilty, as it is written: “And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no intercessor;therefore His arm brought salvation to Him, and His righteousness, it sustained Him” (Isaiah 59:16). bAnd it is written:“For My own sake, bfor My own sake will I do it;for how should it be profaned? And My glory I will not give it to another” (Isaiah 48:11).,§ bRabbi Alexandri says: Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi raises a contradictionin a verse addressing God’s commitment to redeem the Jewish people. In the verse: “I the Lord in its time I will hasten it” (Isaiah 60:22), bit is written: “In its time,”indicating that there is a designated time for the redemption, band it is written: “I will hasten it,”indicating that there is no set time for the redemption. Rabbi Alexandri explains: bIf they meritredemption through repentance and good deeds bI will hastenthe coming of the Messiah. bIf they do not meritredemption, the coming of the Messiah will be bin itsdesignated btime. /b, bRabbi Alexandri says: Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi raises a contradictionbetween two depictions of the coming of the Messiah. bIt is written: “There came with the clouds of heaven, one like unto a son of man… /band there was given him dominion and glory and a kingdom…his dominion is an everlasting dominion” (Daniel 7:13–14). bAnd it is written:“Behold, your king will come to you; he is just and victorious; blowly and riding upon a donkeyand upon a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). Rabbi Alexandri explains: bIfthe Jewish people bmeritredemption, the Messiah will come in a miraculous manner bwith the clouds of heaven. If they do not meritredemption, the Messiah will come blowly and riding upon a donkey. /b, bKing Shapurof Persia bsaid to Shmuelmockingly: bYou saythat the bMessiahwill bcome on a donkey; I will send him the riding [ ibarka /i] horse that I have.Shmuel bsaid to him: Do you havea horse bwith one thousand colors [ ibar ḥivar gavanei /i]like the donkey of the Messiah? Certainly his donkey will be miraculous., bRabbi Yehoshua ben Levi found Elijahthe prophet, bwho was standing at the entrance of theburial bcave of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai.Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi bsaid to him: Will Ibe privileged to bcome to the World-to-Come?Elijah bsaid to him: If this Master,the Holy One, Blessed be He, bwill wishit so. bRabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: Two I saw,Elijah and me, band the voice of three I heard,as the Divine Presence was also there, and it was in reference to Him that Elijah said: If this Master will wish it so.,Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi bsaid toElijah: bWhenwill the bMessiah come?Elijah bsaid to him: Go ask him.Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi asked: bAnd where is he sitting?Elijah said to him: bAt the entrance ofthe city of bRome.Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi asked him: bAnd what is hisidentifying bsignby means of which I can recognize him? Elijah answered: bHe sits among the poor who suffer from illnesses. And all of them untietheir bandages band tiethem all bat once,but the Messiah bunties onebandage band ties oneat a time. bHe says: Perhaps I will be neededto serve to bring about the redemption. Therefore, I will never tie more than one bandage, so bthat I will not be delayed. /b,Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi bwent tothe Messiah. bHe said tothe Messiah: bGreetings to you, my rabbi and my teacher.The Messiah bsaid to him: Greetings to you, bar Leva’i.Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi bsaid to him: When will the Master come?The Messiah bsaid to him: Today.Sometime later, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi bcame to Elijah.Elijah bsaid to him: What didthe Messiah bsay to you? He said toElijah that the Messiah said: bGreetings [ ishalom /i] to you, bar Leva’i.Elijah bsaid to him:He thereby bguaranteedthat byou and your fatherwill enter bthe World-to-Come,as he greeted you with ishalom /i. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi bsaid toElijah: The Messiah blied to me, as he said to me: I am coming today, and he did not come.Elijah bsaid to himthat bthisis what bhe said to you:He said that he will come b“today, if you will listen to his voice”(Psalms 95:7).,§ bRabbi Yosei ben Kisma’s students asked him: When will the son of David come?Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma bsaid: I am hesitantto answer you, blest you request from me a signto corroborate my statement. bThey said to him: We are not asking you for a sign. /b,Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma bsaid to them:You will see bwhen thisexisting bgateof Rome bfalls and will be rebuilt, and will falla second time band will be rebuilt, and will falla third time. bAnd they will not manage to rebuild it until the son of David comes.The students bsaid to him: Our rabbi, give us a sign.Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma bsaid to them: But didn’t you say to me that you are not asking me for a sign? /b, bThey said to him: And nevertheless,provide us with a sign. Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma bsaid to them: If it isas I say, bthe water of the Cave of Pamyas will be transformed into blood.The Gemara relates: bAndit bwas transformed into blood. /b, bAt the time of his death,Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma bsaid tohis students: bPlace my coffin deepin the ground |
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21. Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah, None (3rd cent. CE - 6th cent. CE)
45b. אסרו חג בעבותים עד קרנות המזבח א"ר ירמיה משום ר"ש בן יוחי ור' יוחנן משום ר"ש המחוזי משום ר' יוחנן המכותי כל העושה איסור לחג באכילה ושתיה מעלה עליו הכתוב כאילו בנה מזבח והקריב עליו קרבן שנא' אסרו חג בעבותים עד קרנות המזבח,אמר חזקיה א"ר ירמיה משום רשב"י כל המצות כולן אין אדם יוצא בהן אלא דרך גדילתן שנאמר (שמות כו, טו) עצי שטים עומדים,תנ"ה עצי שטים עומדים שעומדים דרך גדילתן דבר אחר עומדים שמעמידין את ציפוין דבר אחר עומדים שמא תאמר אבד סיברם ובטל סיכויין ת"ל עצי שטים עומדים שעומדים לעולם ולעולמי עולמים,ואמר חזקיה א"ר ירמיה משום רשב"י יכול אני לפטור את כל העולם כולו מן הדין מיום שנבראתי עד עתה ואילמלי אליעזר בני עמי מיום שנברא העולם ועד עכשיו ואילמלי יותם בן עוזיהו עמנו מיום שנברא העולם עד סופו,ואמר חזקיה א"ר ירמיה משום רשב"י ראיתי בני עלייה והן מועטין אם אלף הן אני ובני מהן אם מאה הם אני ובני מהן אם שנים הן אני ובני הן ומי זוטרי כולי האי והא אמר רבא תמני סרי אלפי דרא הוה דקמיה קודשא בריך הוא שנאמר (יחזקאל מח, לה) סביב שמנה עשר אלף ל"ק הא דמסתכלי באספקלריא המאירה הא דלא מסתכלי באספקלריא המאירה,ודמסתכלי באספקלריא המאירה מי זוטרי כולי האי והא אמר אביי לא פחות עלמא מתלתין ושיתא צדיקי דמקבלי אפי שכינה בכל יום שנאמר (ישעיהו ל, יח) אשרי כל חוכי לו ל"ו בגימטריא תלתין ושיתא הוו ל"ק הא דעיילי בבר הא דעיילי בלא בר:,בשעת פטירתן מה הן אומרים וכו': והא קא משתתף שם שמים ודבר אחר ותניא כל המשתף שם שמים ודבר אחר נעקר מן העולם שנאמר (שמות כב, יט) בלתי לה' לבדו הכי קאמר ליה אנחנו מודים ולך אנו משבחין ליה אנחנו מודים ולך אנו מקלסין:,כמעשהו בחול: אמר רב הונא מ"ט דר' יוחנן בן ברוקה דכתיב (ויקרא כג, מ) כפות שנים אחת ללולב ואחת למזבח ורבנן אמרי כפת כתיב,ר' לוי אומר כתמר מה תמר זה אין לו אלא לב אחד אף ישראל אין להם אלא לב אחד לאביהם שבשמים,אמר רב יהודה אמר שמואל לולב שבעה וסוכה יום אחד מ"ט לולב דמפסקי לילות מימים כל יומא מצוה באפיה נפשיה הוא סוכה דלא מפסקי לילות מימים כולהו שבעה כחד יומא אריכא דמו,ורבה בר בר חנה אמר רבי יוחנן סוכה שבעה ולולב יום אחד מאי טעמא סוכה דאורייתא שבעה לולב דרבנן סגי ליה בחד יומא,כי אתא רבין אמר רבי יוחנן אחד זה ואחד זה שבעה אמר רב יוסף נקוט דרבה בר בר חנה בידך דכולהו אמוראי קיימי כוותיה בסוכה,מיתיבי | 45b. b“Bind [ iisru /i] with dense-leaved branches [ iba’avotim /i] on the Festival until the horns of the altar”(Psalms 118:27), which alludes to both the binding of the ilulavand to the myrtle branch, referred to in the Torah as the branch of a dense-leaved tree [ ianaf etz avot /i]. bRabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai, and Rabbi Yoḥasaid bin the name of Rabbi Shimon HaMeḥozi,who said bin the name of Rabbi Yoḥa HaMakkoti:With regard to banyone who establishes an addition [ iissur /i] to the Festivalon the day after the Festival bby eating and drinking, the verse ascribes himcredit bas though he built an altar and sacrificed an offering upon it, as it is stated: “Add [ iisru /i] to the Festival with fattened animals [ iba’avotim /i] until the horns of the altar.” /b,§ Apropos the ihalakhacited by Rabbi Yirmeya in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai, the Gemara cites additional ihalakhot /i. bḤizkiya saidthat bRabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai:With regard to ballobjects used in performance of beach and everyone of bthe mitzvot, a person fulfills his obligation onlywhen the objects are positioned bin the manner of their growth.One must take the ilulavwith the bottom of the branch facing down, bas it is statedwith regard to the beams of the Tabernacle: b“Acacia wood, standing”(Exodus 26:15), indicating that the beams stood in the manner of their growth., bThat was also taughtin a ibaraita /i: b“Acacia wood, standing,”indicating bthat they standin the Tabernacle bin the manner of their growthin nature. bAlternatively, standingmeans bthatthe beams bsupport theirgold bplatingthat is affixed to the beams with nails. bAlternatively, standingteaches: bLest you saythat after the destruction of the Tabernacle btheir hope is lost and their prospect is abolished,and they will never serve a sacred purpose again, therefore bthe verse states: “Acacia wood, standing,”meaning bthat they stand forever and for all timeand will yet be revealed and utilized again., bAnd Ḥizkiya saidthat bRabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: I am able to absolve the entire world from judgmentfor sins committed bfrom the day I was created until now.The merit that he accrued through his righteousness and the suffering that he endured atone for the sins of the entire world. bAnd werethe merit accrued by bEliezer, my son,calculated along bwith myown, we would absolve the world from judgment for sins committed bfrom the day that the world was created until now. And werethe merit accrued by the righteous king, bJotham ben Uzziah,calculated bwith ourown, we would absolve the world from judgment for sins committed bfrom the day that the world was created until its end.The righteousness of these three serves as a counterbalance to all the evil deeds committed throughout the generations, and it validates the ongoing existence of the world., bAnd Ḥizkiya saidthat bRabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: I have seen membersof the caste bofthe spiritually bprominent,who are truly righteous, band they are few. If theynumber bone thousand, I and my son are among them. If theynumber bone hundred, I and my son are among them; and if theynumber btwo, I and my son are they.The Gemara asks: bAre they so few? But didn’t Rava say: There are eighteen thousandrighteous individuals bin a row before the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “Surrounding are eighteen thousand”(Ezekiel 48:35)? Apparently, the righteous are numerous. The Gemara answers: This is bnot difficult. Thisstatement of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai is referring to the very few bwho viewthe Divine Presence bthrough a bright,mirror-like bpartition,while bthatstatement of Rava is referring to those bwho do not viewthe Divine Presence bthrough a bright partition. /b,The Gemara asks further: bAnd arethose bwho viewthe Divine Presence through ba bright partition so few? But didn’t Abaye say: The worldhas bno fewer than thirty-six righteouspeople in each generation bwho greet the Divine Presence every day, as it is stated: “Happy are all they that wait for Him [ ilo /i]”(Isaiah 30:18)? bThe numerological value of ilo /i,spelled ilamed vav /i, bis thirty-six,alluding to the fact that there are at least thirty-six full-fledged righteous individuals in each generation. The Gemara answers: This is bnot difficult. Thisstatement of Abaye is referring to those bwho enterto greet the Divine Presence bbyrequesting and being granted bpermission,while bthatstatement of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai is referring to those bwho entereven bwithoutrequesting bpermission,for whom the gates of Heaven are open at all times. They are very few indeed.,§ The mishna asks: bAt the time of their departureat the end of the Festival, bwhatwould bthey say?The mishna answers that they would praise the altar and glorify God. The Gemara challenges this: bButin doing so baren’t they joining the name of Heaven and another entity, and it was taughtin a ibaraita /i: bAnyone who joins the name of Heaven and another entity is uprooted from the world, as it is stated:“He that sacrifices unto the gods, bsave unto the Lord only,shall be utterly destroyed” (Exodus 22:19)? The Gemara answers that bthis is whatthe people bare sayingwhen they depart the Temple: bTo the Lord, we acknowledgethat He is our God, band to you,the altar, bwe give praise; to the Lord, we acknowledgethat He is our God, band to you,the altar, bwe give acclaim.The praise to God and the praise to the altar are clearly distinct.,§ The mishna continues: bAs its performance during the week,so is its performance on Shabbat. And according to Rabbi Yoḥa ben Beroka, on the seventh day of the Festival they would bring palm branches to the Temple. bRav Huna said: What is the rationalefor the opinion bof Rabbi Yoḥa ben Beroka?It is bas it is written:“And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a beautiful tree, bbranchesof a date palm” (Leviticus 23:40). Branches in the plural indicates that btwobranches must be taken, bone for the ilulavand one forplacement around bthe altar. And the Rabbis say:Although the word is vocalized in the plural, based on tradition it bis written ikappot /i,without the letter ivav /i. Therefore, it is interpreted as if it were written ikappat /i, indicating that only one palm branch need be taken., bRabbi Levi says:The rationale for the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥa ben Beroka is not based on a verse. Rather, it is a custom that developed to express praise for the Jewish people, blikeningthem to ba date palm /b. bJust as the date palm has only one heart,as branches do not grow from its trunk but rather the trunk rises and branches emerge only at the top, bso too, the Jewish people have only one heartdirected btoward their Father in Heaven. /b,§ bRav Yehuda saidthat bShmuel said:The blessing over the mitzva of ilulav /iis recited bsevendays bandthe blessing over the mitzva of isukka /iis recited bone day. What is the rationalefor this distinction? It is written explicitly in the Torah that the mitzva to sit in the isukkaapplies all seven days. The Gemara explains: With regard to the ilulav /i, where the nights are distinct from the days,as the mitzva of ilulavis not in effect at night, beach day is a mitzva in and of itself.A separate blessing is recited over each mitzva. However, with regard to isukka /i, where the nights are not distinct from the days,as the mitzva of isukkais in effect at night just as it is during the day, the legal status of ball sevendays of the Festival bis likethat of bone long day. /b, bBut Rabba bar bar Ḥanasaid that bRabbi Yoḥa said:The blessing over the mitzva of isukka /iis recited bsevendays and the blessing over the mitzva of ilulav /iis recited bone day. What is the rationalefor this distinction? The Gemara explains: The mitzva of isukka /iis a mitzva bby Torahlaw all seven days of the Festival. Therefore, a blessing is recited for bsevendays. However, the mitzva of ilulav /i,other than on the first day, is a mitzva bby rabbiniclaw, as the Sages instituted an ordice to take the ilulavfor all seven days to commemorate the practice in the Temple. Therefore, bit is enoughto recite the blessing bone day,on the first day., bWhen Ravin camefrom Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said that bRabbi Yoḥa said:One recites a blessing over bboth this,the mitzva of isukka /i, bandover bthat,the mitzva of ilulav /i, all bsevendays. bRav Yosef said: Takethe statement bof Rabba bar bar Ḥana in your hand, as all the iamora’im /iwho transmitted statements of Rabbi Yoḥa bhold in accordance with hisopinion binmatters related to isukka /i. /b,The Gemara braises an objectionbased on a ibaraita /i: |
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22. Anon., 2 Enoch, 70-73, 69
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23. Anon., 4 Ezra, 13
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24. Anon., Apocalypse of Abraham, 10
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