1
Said R. Jose, ‘God only banished Israel when there was no longer faith among them, for then, if one may say so, He was entirely forgotten.’
2
R. Hiya said: ‘What is the meaning of the verse: “He hath swallowed up death for ever” (Is. 25, 8)?’ He said: ‘When God shall arouse His right hand, then death shall be banished from the world. But He will not arouse His right hand till Israel give the impetus, to wit, by the Torah. At that time “the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly” (Ps. 118, 16), and “I shall not die but live” (Ibid. 17).