Pĕsikta dĕ-Rab Kahăna: R. Kahana's Compilation of Discourses for Sabbaths and Festal Days (JPS Classic Reissues)

PISKA 21

452 PISKA 21 Summary The radiance of Zion and God’s bestowal of light God and Israel together will give their light to Zion (Sec. 1). But the light which God and Israel are to give Zion will do no more than enhance the radiance of God’s own glory with which Zion was endowed from the beginning of creation (Sec. 2). When the union of Israel and Zion takes place, the Holy One will say to Zion, “Rise, give light, for the light of your life has come” (Sec. 3). The glory of Zion’s restoration will surpass the revelation on Sinai, the defeat of the heathen Sisera on Tabor, and the discomfiture of Jezebel’s idols on Carmel. At the restoration Sinai, Tabor, and Carmel will hymn Moriah—Mount Zion—in song (Sec. 4). From the beginning of creation, God envisioned the Temple’s being built, destroyed, and rebuilt in Zion. When the Temple is rebuilt, God’s light coming from it will provide light both day and night. Indeed, even in the past, the Temple’s windows were made not so much to receive light from the world as to send light into the world. Light first came into the world when God covered Himself with a white garment, and the world was made bright by the radiance of His majesty (Sec. 5). God’s bestowal of light, as well as His bestowal of darkness, serve His purpose in the world (Sec. 6). 453 Piska 21 Arise, give light (Isa. 60:1).1 1. Therefore glorify ye the Lord in the lights, etc. (Isa. 24:15). On what occasions is He to be glorified? At the renewal of the radiance of the lamps. By this answer, said R. Abbahu, is meant the renewal of the two prime lights in heaven of which Scripture says, God made the two great lights (Gen. 1:16). [Thus the occasions on which He is to be glorified are the renewal of the cycle of the sun in the heavens and the renewal of the power of the moon over the earth]. How glorify Him on these two occasions? When the sun renews its cycle, the blessing [“Blessed is He who again and again does His work of creation”] is said; when the power of the moon over the earth is renewed, the same blessing is said.2 According to the Rabbis, the Holy One said to Israel: My children, since My light is your light, and your light is My light, let us—you and I—go and give light to Zion: Arise, give light, for thy light is come (Isa. 60:1). 2. R. Aha began his discourse with the verse I am the Lord, that is My name (Isa. 42:8), the name which I consented to be called by when I am with the ministering angels. And My glory I do not give to a delayed one3 (ibid.) means, according to R. Menahema citing R. Abin, 1. In the seven-Sabbath cycle of consolation, Isa. 60:1–22 is the haftarah for Ki tabo’, the sixth Sabbath following the Ninth of Ab. 2. The renewal of the sun’s cycle (tekufah) occurs once every twenty-eight years. The moon in its power over the earth has reference to the spring equinox when the tides are greatest. See B.Ber 59b, and notes in Soncino tr., pp. 369–70. 3. EV: another; but in this comment the word ’hr is apparently rendered in the sense of “delay.” 454 PESIKTA DE-RAB KAHANA [that I did not give any kind of independent power] to the demons, [whose creation was delayed to the end of the sixth day of creation].4 The Holy One goes on: Neither do I endow anything tangible with the radiance of that glory which is Mine alone5 (ibid.). In all the creation which followed upon My creation of light there is only one tangible thing that I endow with the radiance of My glory, even though from time to time you ascribe such radiance to other tangible things.6 Whom alone do I endow with the radiance of My glory? Zion: Arise, shine for the light which is thine alone is come (Isa. 60:1). 3. For with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light do we see light (Ps. 36:10). R. Johanan and Resh Lakish both made comments on this...