Midrash
Midrash Tanchuma (Buber), Chukat 16 מדרש תנחומא (בובר), חקת ט״ז
Part of: Siman 16
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מי כהחכם ומי יודע פשר דבר (שם ח א). (שיטין הרבה יש במקרא, אלא שלא להטריח בפני רבותינו, נפתח ענין צורכינו). מי כהחכם זה הקב"ה, שנאמר בו ה' בחכמה יסד ארץ (משלי ג יט), ומי יודע פשר דבר, זה הקב"ה, שפירש התורה למשה.
(Eccl. 8:1:) WHO IS LIKE THE WISE PERSON, AND WHO KNOWS THE INTERPRETATION OF A SAYING? {There are a lot of opinions concerning the text; but so as not to go to a lot of bother with our masters, we shall open with a verse <that fits> our needs.} (Eccl. 8:1:) WHO IS LIKE THE WISE PERSON? This is the Holy One, since it is stated about him (in Prov. 3:19): THROUGH WISDOM THE LORD FOUNDED THE EARTH.96Numb. R. 19:4; Eccl. R. 8:1:1; PRK 4:4; PR 14:10. (Eccl. 8:1, cont.:) AND WHO KNOWS THE INTERPRETATION OF A SAYING? This <also> is the Holy One, who interpreted the Torah for Moses.
(Eccl. 8:1:) WHO IS LIKE THE WISE PERSON, AND WHO KNOWS THE INTERPRETATION OF A SAYING? {There are a lot of opinions concerning the text; but so as not to go to a lot of bother with our masters, we shall open with a verse <that fits> our needs.} (Eccl. 8:1:) WHO IS LIKE THE WISE PERSON? This is the Holy One, since it is stated about him (in Prov. 3:19): THROUGH WISDOM THE LORD FOUNDED THE EARTH.96Numb. R. 19:4; Eccl. R. 8:1:1; PRK 4:4; PR 14:10. (Eccl. 8:1, cont.:) AND WHO KNOWS THE INTERPRETATION OF A SAYING? This <also> is the Holy One, who interpreted the Torah for Moses.
חכמת אדם תאיר פניו (קהלת שם), והנ קרן עור פניו (שמות לד ל), ועוז פניו ישונה (קהלת שם), [שמשנה מדת הדין למדת רחמים על ישראל].
(Eccl. 8:1, cont.:) A PERSON'S WISDOM LIGHTS UP HIS FACE. (Exod. 34:30:) AND LO, THE SKIN ('or) OF HIS FACE WAS SHINING. (Eccl. 8:1, cont.:) AND THE RADIANCE ('oz) OF HIS FACE IS CHANGED (for the better), [in that he changes the principle of judgment into a principle of mercy with respect to Israel.]
(Eccl. 8:1, cont.:) A PERSON'S WISDOM LIGHTS UP HIS FACE. (Exod. 34:30:) AND LO, THE SKIN ('or) OF HIS FACE WAS SHINING. (Eccl. 8:1, cont.:) AND THE RADIANCE ('oz) OF HIS FACE IS CHANGED (for the better), [in that he changes the principle of judgment into a principle of mercy with respect to Israel.]