Why Israel is Exiled among the Nations

And R. Eleazar said: The Holy One exiled Israel among the nations only so that converts would join them, as it is stated: And I will sow her to Me in the land (Hosea 2:25). Does a person sow a se’ah [of grain for any reason other] than to bring in several kor [of grain]? And R. Yoḥanan said [that this idea may be derived] from here: And I will have compassion upon her that had not received compassion (Hosea 2:25). [ . . . ]

R. Oshaya said: What is [the meaning of that] which is written: The righteous acts of His rulers [pirzono] in Israel (Judges 5:11)? The Holy One performed a charitable deed toward Israel [in] that He scattered them [pizran] among the nations. And this is that which a certain apostate said to R. Ḥanina: We [gentiles] are superior to you [Jews]. It is written of you: For [Joab and all Israel] remained there six months [until he had cut off every male in Edom] (1 Kings 11:16), whereas we, [although] you have been with us for several years, are not doing anything to you. He said to him: [With] your consent, let one student deal with your [assertion and answer you]. R. Oshaya dealt with his [assertion and] said to him: [This is] because you do not know how to do [it. If you seek] to destroy all of [the Jewish people], they are not [all] with you. [If you destroy only] those [Jews] who are with you, you will be called a severed kingdom. [The apostate] said to him: [I swear by] Gappa, [god] of the Romans, with this [problem] we lie down and with this [problem] we rise up.

R. Ḥiyya teaches: What is [the meaning of that] which is written: God understands its ways and He knows its place (Job 28:23)? The Holy One knows the Jewish people, who are unable to withstand the [harsh] decrees of the Romans. Therefore, He exiled them to Babylonia.

And R. Eleazar said: The Holy One exiled Israel to Babylonia only due to [the fact] it is [a land] as deep as the netherworld, as is stated: I shall ransom them from the power of the netherworld, I shall redeem them from death (Hosea 13:14). R. Ḥanina said: It is due to [the fact] that their language [Aramaic] is similar to the language of the Torah. R. Yoḥanan said: It is due to [the fact] that He sent them to their mother’s house. [This is] comparable to a man who is angry at his wife; to where does he send her? To her mother’s house. And this is [expressed in the statement of] R. Alexandri, who said: Three returned to their [points of] origin, [and] these are they: the Jewish people, the money of Egypt, and the writing [on the] tablets [of the covenant]. The Jewish people, that which we said, [they returned to Babylonia]. The money of Egypt, as it is written: And it came to pass in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, that Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem; [and he took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king’s house; he took everything] (1 Kings 14:25–26).¹ The writing on the tablets of the covenant, as it is written: [And I took hold of the two tablets, and cast them out of my two hands,] and broke them before your eyes (Deuteronomy 9:17). [And] it was taught: The tablets were broken and the letters are flying [and returning to their point of origin]. Ulla said [that Israel was exiled] in order [to enable them] to eat dates and engage in Torah [study].