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Isaiah 54 promises that the children of a restored Jerusalem will be taught by God and enjoy great peace. Rabbinic tradition in tractate Berakhot interprets “children“ as a similar word for “builders“, teaching that Torah scholars increase peace.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Isaiah 54:13
Hebrew Bible
12 I will make your pinnacles out of gems, your gates out of beryl, and your outer wall out of beautiful stones. 13 All your children will be followers of the Lord, and your children will enjoy great prosperity. 14 You will be reestablished when I vindicate you. You will not experience oppression; indeed, you will not be afraid. You will not be terrified, for nothing frightening will come near you.
Berakhot 64a
Babylonian Talmud
Rabbinic
Rabbi Elazar said that Rabbi Ḥanina said: Torah scholars increase peace in the world, as it is said: “And all your children [banayikh] shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13). If all the children of Israel are taught of the Lord, there will be peace for all. The Sages interpreted this verse homiletically: Do not read your children [banayikh], but your builders [bonayikh]. Torah scholars are those who build peace for their generation. As it is stated: “Those who love Your Torah have great peace; there is no stumbling block for them” (Psalms 119:165); and “May there be peace within your walls, prosperity within your palaces” (Psalms 122:7), because: “For the sake of my brothers and friends, I shall say: Peace be within you. For the sake of the House of the Lord, our God, I will seek your good” (Psalms 122:8–9), and “May the Lord give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace” (Psalms 29:11). May we return unto thee : He who beholds! And finished is the Tractate Berakot.
Date: 450-550 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
... Babylonian Talmud Berakot 64A: R. Eleazar (circa 270) said that R. Hanina (circa 225) said, “The students of the scholars multiply peace in the world. See Isaiah 54:13: ‘All your builders (= students of the scholars) will be disciples of Yahweh and the peace that your builders bring will be great’ (so the Midrash). Do not read banayikh ‘your sons,’ but rather bonayikh ‘your builders.’” ...
Strack, Hermann L., and Paul Billerbeck
Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Midrash, Volume 1
(p. Vol. 1, Berakhot 64a) Lexham Press, 2022
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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