(Exodus 15:11) "Who is like You among the mighty": Once Israel saw that Pharaoh and his hosts were lost in the Red Sea, and the rule of Egypt had been abolished and idolatry had been castigated, they all opened their mouths and said "Who is like You among the mighty."
And not only did Israel alone break out in song. But all the peoples — When they heard that Pharaoh and his hosts had been lost in the sea and their rule had been abolished, and their idolatry had been castigated — all of them rejected their idolatry and opened their mouths and said "Who is like you among the mighty, etc."
And thus do you find to be the lot of idolatry — that the peoples of the world are destined to reject it, viz. (Jeremiah 16:19) "The L–rd is my strength and my stronghold and my refuge on the day of affliction … (20) Can a man make gods for himself, etc.", (Isaiah 2:20) "On that day a man will throw away his false gods … (21) to enter the clefts of rocks (in fear of retribution), etc.", (Ibid. 18) "and the false gods will perish completely."
Variantly: "Who is like You among the mighty, O L–rd": Who is like You in the miracles and wonders that You wrought for us upon the sea, viz. (Psalms 106:22) "… awesome deeds upon the Red Sea" — (Ibid. 9) "He roared at the Red Sea and it dried up."
Variantly: "Who is like You bailmim" ("among the mute"). You hear the defamation of Your children and You remain silent, viz. (Isaiah 42:14) "I have ever been silent; I have been still; I have restrained Myself. (But now) I will scream as a woman giving birth. I will throb and lust (to destroy all My foes) together." In the past I was silent and restrained. From now on I will scream. (Ibid. 15-16) "I will lay waste the mountains and the hills, and I will dry up all their grass, and I will render the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. And I shall lead the blind in a way they did not know. In roads they did not know shall I lead them. I shall make the darkness into light before them, and the crooked paths into straight paths."
Variantly: "Who is like You among the mighty": Who is like You among those who minister before You on high, viz. (Psalms 89:7) "Who in the heavens can be likened to the L–rd?" (Ibid. 8) "a G–d who is dreaded in the great council of the holy ones (the angels) … (9) O L–rd, G–d of hosts, who is like You? Mighty is the L–rd."
Variantly: Who is like You ("ba'eilim") among those who call themselves gods? Pharaoh called himself a god, viz. (Ezekiel 29:3) "Mine is my river (the Nile), and I have made it." And thus, Sancherev, viz. (II Kings 18:35) "Who among all the gods of the lands (saved their land from my hand, etc.")? And thus Nevuchadnezzar, viz. (Isaiah 14:14) "I shall mount the heights of a cloud; I shall liken myself to the Most High!" And thus, Negid Tzor, viz. (Ezekiel 28:2-3) "Say to Negid Tzor: Because your heart has grown proud and you have said: I am a god, etc."
Variantly: Who is like You among those whom others call "gods" and who are without substance, those of whom it is written (Psalms 115:5) "hey have a mouth but cannot speak, etc." But the Holy One Blessed be He says two things in one pronouncement, something that a man cannot do, viz. (Ibid. 62:12) "One (pronouncement) has G–d spoken; these two (things) have I heard." (Jeremiah 23:29) "Is My word not like fire, says the L–rd, and like a hammer shattering rock?" And it is written (Iyyov 37:2) "And a word shall come forth from His mouth, etc."
(Exodus, Ibid.) "Who is like You, nedar in holiness": You are na'eh ("beautiful") and adir ("exalted") in holiness ("nedar" — acronymic of "na'eh" and "adir"). Not as the "measure" of flesh and blood is Your measure.
The measure of flesh and blood — A man cannot speak two things at the same time. But the measure of the Holy One Blessed be He — He said (all) of the ten commandments as one, viz. (Exodus 20:1) "And the L–rd spoke all of these things, saying." The measure of flesh and blood — A man cannot hear (what is said by) two men shouting (at the same time). But the Holy One Blessed be He — Even if all the men in the world cry out before Him (at the same time) He hears (distinctly) their outcry, viz. (Psalms 65:3) "You hearken to prayer; to You all flesh comes."
Variantly: "awesome in praise": The measure of flesh and blood — A man's awe is more upon those who are distant from him than upon those who are near him. Not so, the Holy One Blessed be He. His awe is more upon those near to Him than upon those distant from Him, viz. (Leviticus 10:3) "Among those near to Me will I be sanctified", and (Psalms 50:3) "and those around Him were greatly shaken", and (Ibid. 89:8) "He is awesome upon all around Him", and (Ibid. 9) "O L–rd, G–d of hosts, who, like You, is mighty, O L–rd? Your faith is (upon all) who surround You."
The measure of flesh and blood — When one man works for another — plowing with him, sowing with him, weeding with him, hoeing with him — the other gives him a single coin and he goes on his way. Not so, the Holy One Blessed be He. If a man desires children, He gives him children, viz. (Psalms 127:3) "The inheritance of the L–rd is children." If he desires wisdom, He gives it to him, viz. (Mishlei 2:6) "for the L–rd gives wisdom." If he desires attainments, He gives them to him, viz. (I Chronicles 29:12) "Wealth and honor (come) from before You."
The measure of flesh and blood — First he builds the lower; then the higher. But the Holy One Blessed be He — First He builds the higher; then the lower, viz. (Genesis 1:1) "In the beginning G–d created the heavens, (and then) the earth."
The measure of flesh and blood — he roofs (his chambers) with wood, earth, and stones. But the Holy One Blessed be He roofs His world with water, viz. (Psalms 104:3) "He roofs His upper (chambers) with water, etc."
The measure of flesh and blood — he cannot make a form from water. But the Holy One Blessed be He does make a form from water, viz. (Genesis 1:20) "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, etc."
The measure of flesh and blood — he cannot make a form from earth. But the Holy One Blessed be He does make a form from earth, viz. (Psalms 139:15) "I was wrought in secrecy, knit together in the recesses of the earth, etc."
The measure of flesh and blood — When he comes to make a figure, he begins from the head or from one of the limbs, and then completes it. But the Holy One Blessed be He forms all as one, viz. (Jeremiah 10:16) "For He is the former of all." And it is written (I Samuel 2:2) "There is no rock ("tzur") like our G–d" — There is no artist ("tzayar") like our G–d.
The measure of flesh and blood — he goes to an artisan and tells him: Make me a figure of my father, and he says: Let your father come and pose for me or bring me a likeness of him and I will do so. Not so, the Holy One Blessed be He. He gives a man a son from a drop of water — and it is like the likeness of his father!
(Exodus, Ibid.) "working wonders": It is not written "worked wonders," but "working wonders" — in time to come, viz. (Jeremiah 16:14) "Therefore, behold, days are coming, says the L–rd, when it will no more be said 'As the L–rd lives, who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,' but etc."
Variantly: "working wonders": He wrought wonders for us and He does so in each generation, viz. (Psalms 139:14) "I shall thank You, for I have been wondrously wrought," and (Ibid. 40:6) "Many things) have You done — You, O L–rd, my G–d, etc."
Variantly: "working wonders" with the fathers, and destined to work them with the sons, viz. (Michah 7:15) "As in the days when you went forth from the land of Egypt, I shall show him wonders." I will show him what I did not show the fathers. The miracles and the mighty acts that I am destined to perform for the sons are greater than those which I wrought for the fathers. And thus is it written (Psalms 22:18) "He works wonders" (as opposed to the singular "wonder" here), and (I Chronicles 16:36) "Blessed is the L–rd, the G–d of Israel, from world to world."
(שמות טו,יא) ["מִי כָמֹכָה בָּאֵלִם יי? מִי כָּמֹכָה נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּדֶשׁ, נוֹרָא תְהִלֹּת עֹשֵׂה פֶלֶא?"] "מִי כָמֹכָה בָּאֵלִם יי?" כֵּיוָן שֶׁרָאוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁאָבַד פַּרְעֹה וְחֵילוֹ בְיַם סוּף, וּבָטְלָה מַלְכוּתָן שֶׁלַּמִּצְרִיִּים, וּשְׁפָטִים נֶעֱשׂוּ בָּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁלָּהֶן, פָּתְחוּ פִיהֶם וְאָמְרוּ כֻּלָּם: "מִי כָמֹכָה בָּאֵלִם יי?"
(Exodus 15:11) "Who is like You among the mighty": Once Israel saw that Pharaoh and his hosts were lost in the Red Sea, and the rule of Egypt had been abolished and idolatry had been castigated, they all opened their mouths and said "Who is like You among the mighty."
וְלֹא יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּלְבַד אָמְרוּ שִׁירָה, אֶלָּא אַף אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם. כְּשֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם שֶׁאָבַד פַּרְעֹה בַיָּם, וּבָטְלָה מַלְכוּתָן שֶׁלַּמִּצְרִיִּים, וְנֶעֱשׂוּ שְׁפָטִים בָּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁלָּהֶן, כָּפְרוּ כֻלָּן בָּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁלָּהֶן, וּפָתְחוּ כֻלָּן פִּיהֶם וְהוֹדוּ בַמָּקוֹם וְאָמְרוּ: "מִי כָמֹכָה בָּאֵלִם יי? מִי כָּמֹכָה, נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּדֶשׁ, נוֹרָא תְהִלֹּת עֹשֵׂה פֶלֶא?"
And not only did Israel alone break out in song. But all the peoples — When they heard that Pharaoh and his hosts had been lost in the sea and their rule had been abolished, and their idolatry had been castigated — all of them rejected their idolatry and opened their mouths and said "Who is like you among the mighty, etc."
וְכֵן אַתְּ מוֹצֵא, שֶׁעֲתִידִין אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם לִכְפֹּר בָּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁלָּהֶן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ירמיה טז,יט-כ) "יי עֻזִּי וּמָעֻזִּי, וּמְנוּסִי בְּיוֹם צָרָה, אֵלֶיךָ גּוֹיִם יָבֹאוּ מֵאַפְסֵי אָרֶץ, וְיֹאמְרוּ: אַךְ שֶׁקֶר נָחֲלוּ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, הֶבֶל, וְאֵין בָּם מוֹעִיל. הֲיַעֲשֶׂה לּוֹ אָדָם אֱלֹהִים, וְהֵמָּה לֹא אֱלֹהִים?" (ישעיה ב,כ) "בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, יַשְׁלִיךְ הָאָדָם אֵת אֱלִילֵי כַסְפּוֹ וְאֵת אֱלִילֵי זְהָבוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ לוֹ לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹת לַחְפֹּר פֵּרוֹת וְלָעֲטַלֵּפִים." וְאוֹמֵר: (ישעיה ב,כא) "לָבוֹא בְּנִקְרוֹת הַצֻּרִים וּבִסְעִפֵי הַסְּלָעִים, מִפְּנֵי פַּחַד יי וּמֵהֲדַר גְּאוֹנוֹ, בְּקוּמוֹ לַעֲרֹץ הָאָרֶץ." וְאַחֲרָיו מַה כָּתוּב? (ישעיה ב,יח) "וְהָאֱלִילִים כָּלִיל יַחֲלֹף."
And thus do you find to be the lot of idolatry — that the peoples of the world are destined to reject it, viz. (Jeremiah 16:19) "The L–rd is my strength and my stronghold and my refuge on the day of affliction … (20) Can a man make gods for himself, etc.", (Isaiah 2:20) "On that day a man will throw away his false gods … (21) to enter the clefts of rocks (in fear of retribution), etc.", (Ibid. 18) "and the false gods will perish completely."
דָּבָר אַחֵר: "מִי כָמֹכָה בָּאֵלִם יי?" מִי כָמוֹךָ בְּנִסִּים וּגְבוּרוֹת שֶׁעָשִׁיתָ לָנוּ עַל הַיָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים קו,כב) "נִפְלָאוֹת בְּאֶרֶץ חָם, נוֹרָאוֹת עַל יַם סוּף." (תהלים קו,ט) "וַיִּגְעַר בְּיַם סוּף וַיֶּחֱרָב".*וַיֶּחֱרָב: נעשה חרב, יבש.
Variantly: "Who is like You among the mighty, O L–rd": Who is like You in the miracles and wonders that You wrought for us upon the sea, viz. (Psalms 106:22) "… awesome deeds upon the Red Sea" — (Ibid. 9) "He roared at the Red Sea and it dried up."
"מִי כָמֹכָה בָּאֵלִם יי?" מִי כָמוֹךָ בָּאִלְּמִים? מִי כָמוֹךָ רוֹאֶה בְעֶלְבּוֹן בָּנֶיךָ וְשׁוֹתֵק? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ישעיה מב,יד) "הֶחֱשֵׁיתִי מֵעוֹלָם, אַחֲרִישׁ אֶתְאַפָּק, כַּיּוֹלֵדָה אֶפְעֶה, אֶשֹּׁם וְאֶשְׁאַף יָחַד." לְשֶׁעָבַר, "אַחֲרִישׁ אֶתְאַפָּק", מִכָּן וּלְהַלָּן, "כַּיּוֹלֵדָה אֶפְעֶה, אֶשֹּׁם וְאֶשְׁאַף". (ישעיה מב,טו-טז) "אַחֲרִיב הָרִים וּגְבָעוֹת, וְכָל עֶשְׂבָּם אוֹבִישׁ, וְשַׂמְתִּי נְהָרוֹת לָאִיִּים, וַאֲגַמִּים אוֹבִישׁ. וְהוֹלַכְתִּי עִוְרִים בְּדֶרֶךְ לֹא יָדָעוּ, בִּנְתִיבוֹת לֹא יָדְעוּ אַדְרִיכֵם, אָשִׂים מַחְשָׁךְ לִפְנֵיהֶם לָאוֹר, וּמַעֲקַשִּׁים לְמִישׁוֹר".
Variantly: "Who is like You bailmim" ("among the mute"). You hear the defamation of Your children and You remain silent, viz. (Isaiah 42:14) "I have ever been silent; I have been still; I have restrained Myself. (But now) I will scream as a woman giving birth. I will throb and lust (to destroy all My foes) together." In the past I was silent and restrained. From now on I will scream. (Ibid. 15-16) "I will lay waste the mountains and the hills, and I will dry up all their grass, and I will render the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. And I shall lead the blind in a way they did not know. In roads they did not know shall I lead them. I shall make the darkness into light before them, and the crooked paths into straight paths."
"מִי כָמֹכָה בָּאֵלִם?" מִי כָמוֹךָ בְּאֵלּוּ שֶׁהֵן מְשַׁמְּשִׁין לְפָנֶיךָ בַּמָּרוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים פט,ז) "כִּי מִי בַשַּׁחַק יַעֲרֹךְ לַיי יִדְמֶה לַיי בִּבְנֵי אֵלִים." (תהלים פט,ח-ט)"אֵל נַעֲרָץ בְּסוֹד קְדֹשִׁים רַבָּה וְנוֹרָא עַל כָּל סְבִיבָיו. יי אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאוֹת מִי כָמוֹךָ חֲסִין יָהּ, וֶאֱמוּנָתְךָ סְבִיבוֹתֶיךָ."
Variantly: "Who is like You among the mighty": Who is like You among those who minister before You on high, viz. (Psalms 89:7) "Who in the heavens can be likened to the L–rd?" (Ibid. 8) "a G–d who is dreaded in the great council of the holy ones (the angels) … (9) O L–rd, G–d of hosts, who is like You? Mighty is the L–rd."
"מִי כָמֹכָה בָּאֵלִם יי?" מִי כָמוֹךָ בְּאֵלּוּ שֶׁקּוֹרִין עַצְמָן אֱלֹהוֹת? פַּרְעֹה קָרָא עַצְמוֹ אֱלוֹהַּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (יחזקאל כט,ג) "אָמַר: לִי יְאֹרִי, וַאֲנִי עֲשִׂיתִנִי!" סַנְחֵרִיב קָרָא עַצְמוֹ אֱלוֹהַּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (מלכים ב יח,לה) "מִי בְּכָל אֱלֹהֵי הָאֲרָצוֹת, אֲשֶׁר הִצִּילוּ אֶת אַרְצָם מִיָּדִי, כִּי יַצִּיל יי אֶת יְרוּשָׁלִַם מִיָּדִי?" נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר קָרָא עַצְמוֹ אֱלוֹהַּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ישעיה יד,יא) "אֶעֱלֶה עַל בָּמֳתֵי עָב, אֶדַּמֶּה לְעֶלְיוֹן." נְגִיד צֹר קָרָא עַצְמוֹ אֱלוֹהַּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (יחזקאל כח,ב) "בֶּן אָדָם, אֱמֹר לִנְגִיד צֹר: כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יי: יַעַן גָּבַהּ לִבְּךָ, וַתֹּאמֶר: אֵל אָנִי! מוֹשַׁב אֱלֹהִים יָשַׁבְתִּי בְּלֵב יַמִּים! וְאַתָּה אָדָם וְלֹא אֵל, וַתִּתֵּן לִבְּךָ כְּלֵב אֱלֹהִים."
Variantly: Who is like You ("ba'eilim") among those who call themselves gods? Pharaoh called himself a god, viz. (Ezekiel 29:3) "Mine is my river (the Nile), and I have made it." And thus, Sancherev, viz. (II Kings 18:35) "Who among all the gods of the lands (saved their land from my hand, etc.")? And thus Nevuchadnezzar, viz. (Isaiah 14:14) "I shall mount the heights of a cloud; I shall liken myself to the Most High!" And thus, Negid Tzor, viz. (Ezekiel 28:2-3) "Say to Negid Tzor: Because your heart has grown proud and you have said: I am a god, etc."
"מִי כָמֹכָה בָּאֵלִם יי?" מִי כָמֹכָה בְּאֵלּוּ שֶׁאֲחֵרִים קוֹרִין אוֹתָם אֱלֹהוֹת, וְאֵין בָּהֶם מַמָּשׁ, וַעֲלֵיהֶם נֶאֱמַר: (תהלים קטו,ה) "פֶּה לָהֶם וְלֹא יְדַבֵּרוּ, עֵינַיִם לָהֶם וְלֹא יִרְאוּ. אָזְנַיִם לָהֶם וְלֹא יִשְׁמָעוּ, אַף לָהֶם וְלֹא יְרִיחוּן. יְדֵיהֶם וְלֹא יְמִישׁוּן, רַגְלֵיהֶם וְלֹא יְהַלֵּכוּ, לֹא יֶהְגּוּ בִּגְרוֹנָם." אֵלּוּ, "פֶּה לָהֶם וְלֹא יְדַבֵּרוּ", אֲבָל מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם אֵינוֹ כֵן, אֶלָּא אָמַר שְׁנֵי דְבָרִים בְּדִבּוּר אֶחָד, מַה שֶּׁאֵי אֶפְשָׁר לְבָשָׂר וָדָם לוֹמַר כֵּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים סב,יב) "אַחַת דִּבֶּר אֱלֹהִים, שְׁתַּיִם זוּ שָׁמָעְתִּי, כִּי עֹז לֵאלֹהִים." (ירמיה כג,כט) "הֲלוֹא כֹה דְבָרִי, כָּאֵשׁ, נְאֻם יי, וּכְפַטִּישׁ יְפֹצֵץ סָלַע!" וְכָתוּב: (איוב לז,ב) "וְהֶגֶה מִפִּיו יֵצֵא."
Variantly: Who is like You among those whom others call "gods" and who are without substance, those of whom it is written (Psalms 115:5) "hey have a mouth but cannot speak, etc." But the Holy One Blessed be He says two things in one pronouncement, something that a man cannot do, viz. (Ibid. 62:12) "One (pronouncement) has G–d spoken; these two (things) have I heard." (Jeremiah 23:29) "Is My word not like fire, says the L–rd, and like a hammer shattering rock?" And it is written (Iyyov 37:2) "And a word shall come forth from His mouth, etc."
"מִי כָּמֹכָה נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּדֶשׁ?" נָאֶה אַתָּה וְאַדִּיר בַּקֹּדֶשׁ! שֶׁלֹּא כְמִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם מִדַּת הַקֹּדֶשׁ: מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, אֵינוֹ יָכֹל לוֹמַר שְׁנֵי דְבָרִים כְּאַחַת, אֲבָל מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם אָמַר עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת בְּדִבּוּר אֶחָד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמות כ,א) "וַיְדַבֵּר אֱלֹהִים אֵת כָּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה לֵאמֹר."
(Exodus, Ibid.) "Who is like You, nedar in holiness": You are na'eh ("beautiful") and adir ("exalted") in holiness ("nedar" — acronymic of "na'eh" and "adir"). Not as the "measure" of flesh and blood is Your measure.
מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, אֵינוֹ יָכֹל לִשְׁמֹעַ מִשְּׁנֵי בְנֵי אָדָם כְּשֶׁהֵן צוֹעֲקִין כְּאַחַת, אֲבָל מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם אֵינוֹ כֵן, אֶלָּא אֲפִלּוּ כָּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם בָּאִין וְצוֹעֲקִין לְפָנָיו, הוּא שׁוֹמֵעַ צַעֲקָתָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים סה,ג) "שֹׁמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה, עָדֶיךָ כָּל בָּשָׂר יָבֹאוּ."
The measure of flesh and blood — A man cannot speak two things at the same time. But the measure of the Holy One Blessed be He — He said (all) of the ten commandments as one, viz. (Exodus 20:1) "And the L–rd spoke all of these things, saying." The measure of flesh and blood — A man cannot hear (what is said by) two men shouting (at the same time). But the Holy One Blessed be He — Even if all the men in the world cry out before Him (at the same time) He hears (distinctly) their outcry, viz. (Psalms 65:3) "You hearken to prayer; to You all flesh comes."
"נוֹרָא תְהִלֹּת", לֹא מֵעַכְשָׁו, אֶלָּא מֵעוֹלָם נוֹרָא תְהִלּוֹת.
(Exodus, Ibid.) ("too) awesome to praise": Not (only) in the present, but (also) of yore.
דָּבָר אַחֵר: "נוֹרָא תְהִלֹּת", מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, מוֹרָאוֹ עַל הָרְחוֹקִים יוֹתֵר מֵהַקְּרוֹבִים, אֲבָל מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם אֵינוֹ כֵן, אֶלָּא מוֹרָאוֹ עַל קְרוֹבָיו יוֹתֵר מֵרְחוֹקָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ויקרא י,ג) "בִּקְרֹבַי אֶקָּדֵשׁ". וְאוֹמֵר: (תהלים נ,ג) "וּסְבִיבָיו נִשְׂעֲרָה מְאֹד." וְאוֹמֵר: (תהלים פט,ח) "אֵל נַעֲרָץ בְּסוֹד קְדֹשִׁים רַבָּה, וְנוֹרָא עַל כָּל סְבִיבָיו." וְאוֹמֵר: (תהלים פט,ט) "יי אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאוֹת! מִי כָמוֹךָ חֲסִין יָהּ, וֶאֱמוּנָתְךָ סְבִיבוֹתֶיךָ?"
Variantly: "awesome in praise": The measure of flesh and blood — A man's awe is more upon those who are distant from him than upon those who are near him. Not so, the Holy One Blessed be He. His awe is more upon those near to Him than upon those distant from Him, viz. (Leviticus 10:3) "Among those near to Me will I be sanctified", and (Psalms 50:3) "and those around Him were greatly shaken", and (Ibid. 89:8) "He is awesome upon all around Him", and (Ibid. 9) "O L–rd, G–d of hosts, who, like You, is mighty, O L–rd? Your faith is (upon all) who surround You."
מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, עוֹשֶׂה פּוֹעֵל אֵצֶל בַּעַל הַבַּיִת, חוֹרֵשׁ עִמּוֹ, וְזוֹרֵעַ עִמּוֹ, וּמְנַכֵּשׁ עִמּוֹ, מְעַדֵּר עִמּוֹ, מַטְבֵּעַ אֶחָד הוּא נוֹתֵן לוֹ וְהוֹלֵךְ, אֲבָל מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם אֵינוֹ כֵן, אָדָם תָּאֵב לְבָנִים, נוֹתֵן לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים קכז,ג) "הִנֵּה נַחֲלַת יי בָּנִים"; תָּאֵב לַחָכְמָה, נוֹתֵן לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (משלי ב,ו) "כִּי יי יִתֵּן חָכְמָה"; תָּאֵב לִנְכָסִים, נוֹתֵן לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברי הימים א כט,יב) "וְהָעֹשֶׁר וְהַכָּבוֹד מִלְּפָנֶיךָ".
The measure of flesh and blood — When one man works for another — plowing with him, sowing with him, weeding with him, hoeing with him — the other gives him a single coin and he goes on his way. Not so, the Holy One Blessed be He. If a man desires children, He gives him children, viz. (Psalms 127:3) "The inheritance of the L–rd is children." If he desires wisdom, He gives it to him, viz. (Mishlei 2:6) "for the L–rd gives wisdom." If he desires attainments, He gives them to him, viz. (I Chronicles 29:12) "Wealth and honor (come) from before You."
מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, כְּשֶׁהוּא בּוֹנֶה, בּוֹנֶה אֶת הַתַּחְתּוֹן, וְאַחַר כָּךְ בּוֹנֶה אֶת הָעֶלְיוֹן, אֲבָל מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם אֵינוֹ כֵן, אֶלָּא בָּנָה אֶת הָעֶלְיוֹן, וְאַחַר כָּךְ בָּנָה אֶת הַתַּחְתּוֹן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (בראשית א,א) "בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת הָאָרֶץ."
The measure of flesh and blood — First he builds the lower; then the higher. But the Holy One Blessed be He — First He builds the higher; then the lower, viz. (Genesis 1:1) "In the beginning G–d created the heavens, (and then) the earth."
מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, כְּשֶׁהוּא מְקָרֶה, מְקָרֶה*מְקָרֶה: בונה תקרה: מניח קורות, ענפים, ומעזיבה עשויה חצץ ועפר. בָעֵצִים וּבָאֲבָנִים וּבֶעָפָר וּבַמַּיִם. אֲבָל מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם אֵינוֹ כֵן, קֵרָה אֶת עוֹלָמוֹ בַמַּיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים קד,ג) "הַמְקָרֶה בַמַּיִם עֲלִיּוֹתָיו, הַשָּׂם עָבִים רְכוּבוֹ, הַמְהַלֵּךְ עַל כַּנְפֵי רוּחַ."
The measure of flesh and blood — he roofs (his chambers) with wood, earth, and stones. But the Holy One Blessed be He roofs His world with water, viz. (Psalms 104:3) "He roofs His upper (chambers) with water, etc."
מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, אֵינוֹ יָכֹל לָצוּר צוּרָה בַמַּיִם, אֲבָל מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם אֵינוֹ כֵן, אֶלָּא צָר צוּרָה בַמַּיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (בראשית א,כ) "וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים: יִשְׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם שֶׁרֶץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה!"
The measure of flesh and blood — he cannot make a form from water. But the Holy One Blessed be He does make a form from water, viz. (Genesis 1:20) "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, etc."
מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, אֵינוֹ יָכֹל לָצוּר צוּרָה בֶעָפָר, אֲבָל מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם צָר צוּרָה בֶעָפָר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים קלט,טו) "אֲשֶׁר עֻשֵּׂיתִי*עֻשֵּׂיתִי: נוצרתי. בַסֵּתֶר, רֻקַּמְתִּי*רֻקַּמְתִּי: נרקמתי, נוצרו צורות גופי כרקמה. בְּתַחְתִּיּוֹת אָרֶץ."
The measure of flesh and blood — he cannot make a form from earth. But the Holy One Blessed be He does make a form from earth, viz. (Psalms 139:15) "I was wrought in secrecy, knit together in the recesses of the earth, etc."
מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, כְּשֶׁהוּא בָא לָצוּר צוּרָה, מַתְחִיל בְּרֹאשָׁהּ אוֹ בְאֶחָד מֵאֵבָרֶיהָ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ גּוֹמְרָהּ. אֲבָל מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם אֵינוֹ כֵן, אֶלָּא צָר צוּרָה כֻּלָּהּ כְּאַחַת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ירמיה י,טז) "כִּי יוֹצֵר הַכֹּל הוּא", וְאוֹמֵר: (שמואל א ב,ב) "וְאֵין צוּר כֵּאלֹהֵינוּ." אֵין צַיָּר כֵּאלֹהֵינוּ!
The measure of flesh and blood — When he comes to make a figure, he begins from the head or from one of the limbs, and then completes it. But the Holy One Blessed be He forms all as one, viz. (Jeremiah 10:16) "For He is the former of all." And it is written (I Samuel 2:2) "There is no rock ("tzur") like our G–d" — There is no artist ("tzayar") like our G–d.
מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, הוֹלֵךְ אֵצֶל עוֹשֵׂה צְלָמִים וְאוֹמֵר לוֹ: עֲשֵׂה לִי צוּרָתוֹ שֶׁלְּאַבָּא! וְהַלָּה אוֹמֵר לוֹ: יָבֹא אָבִיךָ וְיַעֲמֹד לְפָנַי! אוֹ הָבֵא לִי אִיקוֹנִין שֶׁלּוֹ, וַאֲנִי עוֹשֶׂה לָךְ צוּרָתוֹ!*אִיקוֹנִין: eikónion: תמונה קטנה. אֲבָל מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם אֵינוֹ כֵן, אֶלָּא נוֹתֵן לְאָדָם בֵּן מִטִּפָּה שֶׁלְּמַיִם, וְדוֹמֶה לְצוּרָתוֹ לְשֶׁלְּאָבִיו.
The measure of flesh and blood — he goes to an artisan and tells him: Make me a figure of my father, and he says: Let your father come and pose for me or bring me a likeness of him and I will do so. Not so, the Holy One Blessed be He. He gives a man a son from a drop of water — and it is like the likeness of his father!
"עֹשֵׂה פֶלֶא." 'עָשָׂה פֶלֶא' אֵין כָּתוּב כָּן, אֶלָּא "עֹשֵׂה פֶלֶא", לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ירמיה טז,יד) "לָכֵן הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים, נְאֻם יי, וְלֹא יֵאָמֵר עוֹד: חַי יי, אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלָה אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם. כִּי אִם חַי יי אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלָה אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאֶרֶץ צָפוֹן, וּמִכֹּל הָאֲרָצוֹת אֲשֶׁר הִדִּיחָם שָׁמָּה, וַהֲשִׁבֹתִים עַל אַדְמָתָם אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לַאֲבוֹתָם."
(Exodus, Ibid.) "working wonders": It is not written "worked wonders," but "working wonders" — in time to come, viz. (Jeremiah 16:14) "Therefore, behold, days are coming, says the L–rd, when it will no more be said 'As the L–rd lives, who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,' but etc."
דָּבָר אַחֵר: "עֹשֵׂה פֶלֶא." עָשָׂה עִמָּנוּ פֶלֶא וְעוֹשֶׂה עִמָּנוּ בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים קלט,יד) "נִפְלָאִים מַעֲשֶׂיךָ, וְנַפְשִׁי יֹדַעַת מְאֹד." (תהלים מ,ו) "רַבּוֹת עָשִׂיתָ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהַי! נִפְלְאֹתֶיךָ וּמַחְשְׁבֹתֶיךָ אֵלֵינוּ".
Variantly: "working wonders": He wrought wonders for us and He does so in each generation, viz. (Psalms 139:14) "I shall thank You, for I have been wondrously wrought," and (Ibid. 40:6) "Many things) have You done — You, O L–rd, my G–d, etc."
דָּבָר אַחֵר: "עֹשֵׂה פֶלֶא." עֹשֵׂה פֶלֶא עִם אָבוֹת, וְעָתִיד לַעֲשׁוֹת עִם הַבָּנִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (מיכה ז,טו) "כִּימֵי צֵאתְךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם, אַרְאֶנּוּ נִפְלָאוֹת." אַרְאֶנּוּ מַה שֶּׁלֹּא הֶרְאֵיתִי לָאָבוֹת, שֶׁהֲרֵי נִסִּין וּגְבוּרוֹת שֶׁאֲנִי עָתִיד לַעֲשׁוֹת עִם הַבָּנִים, יוֹתֵר מֵהַפְלֵא נִפְלָאוֹת מַה שֶּׁלֹּא עָשִׂיתִי עִם הָאָבוֹת. וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: (תהלים קלו,ד) "לְעֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת גְּדֹלוֹת לְבַדּוֹ, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ." (תהלים עב,יח-יט) "בָּרוּךְ יי אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, עֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת לְבַדּוֹ. וּבָרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹדוֹ לְעוֹלָם, וְיִמָּלֵא כְבוֹדוֹ אֶת כֹּל הָאָרֶץ אָמֵן וְאָמֵן."
Variantly: "working wonders" with the fathers, and destined to work them with the sons, viz. (Michah 7:15) "As in the days when you went forth from the land of Egypt, I shall show him wonders." I will show him what I did not show the fathers. The miracles and the mighty acts that I am destined to perform for the sons are greater than those which I wrought for the fathers. And thus is it written (Psalms 22:18) "He works wonders" (as opposed to the singular "wonder" here), and (I Chronicles 16:36) "Blessed is the L–rd, the G–d of Israel, from world to world."