Ecclesiastes Rabbah 9:15

¹“He found in it a poor, wise man, and he saved the city in his wisdom; but no one remembered that poor man” (Ecclesiastes 9:15). “He found in it a poor, wise man, – this is Noah, as it is stated: “For I have seen you righteous before Me in this generation” (Genesis 7:1). “And he saved the city in his wisdom” – as he would say to them: ‘Alas, empty ones, the flood is coming tomorrow; repent!’ They would say to him: ‘If calamity will begin, it will begin from the house of that man.’ When Methuselah died they said to him: ‘Is it not from the house of that man that the calamity began?’ “But no one remembered that poor man” – the Holy One blessed be He said to them: You did not remember him; I remember him, as it is stated: “The Lord remembered Noah…” (Genesis 8:1). ²Another matter, “There was a small city” – this is Egypt, “and few men in it” – these are the Egyptians, “and a great king came against it and surrounded it” – this is the wicked Pharaoh, “and built a great siege upon it” – with ambush and subterfuge. “He found in it a poor, wise man” – this is Joseph the righteous, “and he saved the city in his wisdom” – as he said to Pharaoh: “Let Pharaoh proceed and let him appoint officials over the land…and let them gather all the food of these good years…” (Genesis 41:34). “But no one remembered that poor man” – the Holy One blessed be He said: You did not remember him; I remember him, as it is stated: “Joseph was the ruler over the land” (Genesis 42:6). ³Another matter, “there was a small city” – this is Egypt, “and few men in it” – these are Joseph’s brothers, “and a great king came against it and surrounded it” – this is Joseph, “and built a great siege upon it” – these are the three edicts that he issued: That no slave shall enter Egypt, no person may enter with two donkeys, and no person may enter whose name and his father’s name, and his grandfather’s name, and his grandmother’s name are not documented. ). “He found in it a poor, wise man” – this is Judah, “and he saved the city in his wisdom” – as he said: “I will guarantee him…” (Genesis 43:9). Moreover, he said to Joseph: “Now please, let your servant remain instead of the lad…” (Genesis 44:33). “But no one remembered that poor man” – the Holy One blessed be He said: You did not remember him; I remember him, as it is stated: “He sent Judah before him…” (Genesis 46:28). ⁴Another matter, “there was a small city” – this is Egypt, “and few men in it” – these are the Israelites, as it is stated: “With seventy people your ancestors descended to Egypt…” (Deuteronomy 10:22). “And a great king came against it” – this is Pharaoh. “And surrounded it and built a great siege upon it” – as he issued edicts, one harsher than the one before: He prevented them from engaging in marital relations, he pulled their foreskins, and had them grow a forelock. “He found in it a poor, wise man” – this is Moses, as it is stated: “Moses said: So said the Lord: About midnight…” (Exodus 11:4). , based on Berakhot 4a). “And he saved the city in his wisdom” – as he said: “They shall take of the blood…” (Exodus 12:7). “But no one remembered that poor man” – the Holy One blessed be He said: You did not remember him; I remember him, as it is stated: “He remembered the days of old, Moses, His people” (Isaiah 63:11). ⁵Another matter, “there as a small city” – this is Sinai, “and few men in it” – these are the Israelites, “and a great king came against it” – this is the King of kings the Holy One blessed be He, “and surrounded it and built a great siege upon it” – these are the two hundred and forty-eight positive commandments and the three hundred and sixty-five negative commandments. “He found in it a poor, wise man” – this is Moses, as it is stated: “No hand shall touch it…” (Exodus 19:13), “and he saved the city in his wisdom” – as it is stated: “Anyone who touches the mountain shall be put to death” (Exodus 19:12). “But no one remembered…” – the Holy One blessed be He said: You did not remember him; I remember him, as it is stated: “Remember the Torah of Moses, My servant…” (Malachi 3:22). ⁶Another matter, “a small city” – this is Sinai, “and few men in it” – these are the Israelites, “and a great king came against it” – this is the evil inclination, “and surrounded it and built a great siege upon it” – as it is stated: “This is your god, Israel (Exodus 32:4). “He found in it a poor, wise man” – this is Moses, as it is stated: “Lord, why shall Your wrath be enflamed against Your people” (Exodus 32:11). “But no one remembered…” – the Holy One blessed be He said: You did not remember him; I remember him, as it is stated: “He said He would destroy them, were it not for Moses, His chosen one…” (Psalms 106:23). ⁷Another matter, “a small city” – this is a synagogue, “and few men in it” – this is the congregation, “and a great king came against it” – this is the King of kings the Holy One blessed be He, “and surrounded it and built a great siege upon it” – this is ambush and subterfuge. “He found in it a poor, wise man” – this is the wise elder or the cantor, as when the elder sits and teaches and they repeat after him: ‘Amen, may His great name be blessed,’ recited after communal study of Aggada . even if [the community] has a [heavenly] document of edicts for one hundred years, the Holy One blessed be He will forgive all its iniquities. “But no one remembered…” – the Holy One blessed be He said: You did not remember him; I remember him, “you shall rise before the elderly…” (Leviticus 19:32). ⁸Another matter, “a small city” – this is the body, “and few men in it” – these are the limbs, “and a great king came against it” – this is the evil inclination. Why does he call the evil inclination “great”? Because it is thirteen years older than the good inclination. “And surrounded it and built a great siege upon it” – this is ambush and subterfuge. “He found in it a poor, wise man” – this is the good inclination. Why does he call it poor? Because it does not exist in all people, and most people do not heed it. “And he saved the city in his wisdom” – as anyone who heeds it is saved. David said: 'Good for one who heeds it; that is what is written: “Happy is one who attends to the helpless” (Psalms 41:2). “But no one remembered…” – the Holy One blessed be He said: You did not remember it; I remember it, “I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh…” (Ezekiel 36:26).