Midrash Al Yithallel

Midrash Al Yithallel (Hebrew: מדרש אל יתהלל) is a small midrash containing stories from the lives of the wise Solomon, the mighty David, and the rich Korah, illustrating Jeremiah 9:23, whence comes the title:

Thus said the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom (אל יתהלל חכם בחכמתו); Let not the strong man glory in his strength (ואל יתהלל הגבור בגבורתו); Let not the rich man glory in his riches (אל יתהלל עשיר בעשרו). But only in this should one glory: In his earnest devotion to Me. For I the Lord act with kindness, justice, and equity in the world; For in these I delight —declares the Lord.^[1]

The text has been published according to a manuscript at Munich by A. Jellinek,^[2] and according to a manuscript from Yemen by Grünhut,^[3] with valuable references to sources and parallels. With the story of Solomon may be compared the passage cited in Jellinek;^[4] the history of David is similar to the midrash of Goliath;^[5] and that of Korach to the passage in the Midrash Tehillim.^[6]

References

^ Jeremiah 9:22–23, JPS translation
^ B. H. vi. 106-108
^ Sefer ha-Liḳḳuṭim, i. 21 et seq.
^ l.c. ii. 86 et seq., from the Emeḳ ha-Melek
^ ib. iv. 140 et seq.
^ ed. S. Buber on Psalms 1:15

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "Smaller Midrashim". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.

Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography

A. Jellinek, B. H. iv., p. xiii.; vi., pp. xxvi. et seq.

[1] Jeremiah 9:22–23, JPS translation

[2] B. H. vi. 106-108

[3] Sefer ha-Liḳḳuṭim, i. 21 et seq.

[4] .c. ii. 86 et seq., from the Emeḳ ha-Melek

[5] . iv. 140 et seq.

[6] . S. Buber on Psalms 1:15

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