Quoting%20commentary for Sotah 94:23
משמת יוסי בן יועזר כו' מאי אשכולות אמר רב יהודה אמר שמואל איש שהכל בו יוחנן כהן גדול העביר הודיית המעשר כו' מ"ט אמר רבי יוסי בר' חנינא לפי שאין נותנין אותו כתיקונו דרחמנא אמר דיהבי ללוים
ceased to be practised; and people threw off the yoke of heaven and placed upon themselves the yoke of human beings. When they who engaged in whisperings in judgment<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' To influence the judges in favour of one party. ');"><sup>20</sup></span> multiplied, fierceness of [the divine] anger increased against Israel and the <i>Shechinah</i> departed; because it is written: He judgeth among the judges.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ps. LXXXII, I, i.e., God is only with honest judges. ');"><sup>21</sup></span> When there multiplied [men of whom it is said] Their heart goeth after their gain,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ezek. XXXIII, 31. ');"><sup>22</sup></span> there multiplied they who call evil good and good evil.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Isa. V, 20. ');"><sup>23</sup></span> When there multiplied they 'who call evil good and good evil', woes<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The word woe occurs frequently in Isa. V. ');"><sup>24</sup></span> increased in the world. When they who draw out their spittle<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As a mark of ostentation. ');"><sup>25</sup></span> multiplied, the arrogant increased, disciples diminished, and Torah went about [looking] for them who would study it. When the arrogant multiplied, the daughters of Israel began to marry arrogant men, because our generation looks only to the outward appearance. But that is not so; for a Master has declared: An arrogant person is not acceptable even to the members of his household, as it is said: A haughty man one abideth not at home<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Hab. II, 5 sic. ');"><sup>26</sup></span> — i.e., even in his own house! — At first they jump round him, but in the end he becomes repugnant to them. When there multiplied they who forced their goods upon householders,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Judges who compelled them to buy against their will. ');"><sup>27</sup></span> bribery increased as well as miscarriage of justice, and happiness ceased. When there multiplied [judges] who said 'I accept your favour' and 'I shall appreciate your favour', there was an Increase of Every man did that which was right in his own eyes;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Judg. XVII, 6. ');"><sup>28</sup></span> common persons were raised to eminence, the eminent were brought low, and the kingdom [of Israel] deteriorated more and more. When envious men and plunderers [of the poor] multiplied, there increased they who hardened their hearts and closed their hands from lending [to the needy], and they transgressed what is written in the Torah, viz., Beware that there be not etc.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Deut. XV, 9. ');"><sup>29</sup></span> When there multiplied women who had stretched forth necks and wanton eyes,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Isa. III, 16. ');"><sup>30</sup></span> [the need] increased for the bitter water but it ceased [to be used]. When receivers of gifts multiplied, the days [of human life] became fewer and years were shortened; as it is written: But he that hateth gifts shall live.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Prov. XV, 27. ');"><sup>31</sup></span> When the haughty of heart multiplied, dissensions increased in Israel. When the disciples of Shammai and Hillel multiplied who had not served [their teachers] sufficiently, dissensions increased in Israel and the Torah became like two Toroth. When there multiplied they who accepted charity of Gentiles, Israel became on top and they below, Israel went forward and they backward.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' A euphemism for the reverse: Israel became below etc. This sentence has fallen out of the text in some modern editions. ');"><sup>32</sup></span> WHEN JOSE B. JOEZER DIED etc. What does 'grape-clusters' [eshkoloth] mean? — Rab Judah said in the name of Samuel: A man in whom is everything [ish she-hakol bo]. JOHANAN THE HIGH PRIEST BROUGHT TO AN END THE CONFESSION MADE AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE TITHE etc. What was his reason? — R. Jose b. Hanina said: Because people were not presenting it according to the regulation; for the Allmerciful said that they should give it to the Levites
Explore quoting%20commentary for Sotah 94:23. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.