so is verse 12, there being, however, a difference of opinion whether the mourning is

caused by the death of the Messiah the Son of Joseph, or else on account of the evil

concupiscence (Yetser haRa).

Zech. xiv . 2 will be readily understood to have been applied to the wars of Messianic

times, and this in many passages of the Midrashim, as, indeed, are verses 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Verse 7. The following interesting remark occurs in Yalkut on Ps. cxxxix. 16, 17 (vol. ii.

p. 129 d) on the words 'none of them.' This world is to last 6,000 years; 2,000 years it was

waste and desolate, 2,000 years mark the period under the Law, 2,000 years that under

the Messiah. And because our sins are increased, they are prolonged. As they are

prolonged, and as we make one year in seven a Sabbatic year, so will God in the latter

days make one day a Sabbatic year, which day is 1,000 years - to which applies the verse

in Zechariah just quoted. See also Pirqé de R. Eliez. c. 28.

Verse 8 is Messianically applied in Ber. R. 48. See our remarks on Gen. xviii 4, 5.

Verse 9 is, of course, applied to Messianic times, as in Yalkut i. p. 76 c, 266 a, and vol. ii.

p. 33 c, Midr. on Cant. ii. 13, and in other passages.

Malachi iii. 1 is applied to Elijah as forerunner of the Messiah in Pirqé de R.Eliez. c. 29.

Verse 4. In Bemidbar R. 17, a little before the close (ed. Warsh. p. 69 a), this verse seems

to be applied to acceptable sacrifices in Messianic days.

On verse 16 Vayyikra R. 34 (ed. Warsh. p. 51 b, line 4 from the bottom) has the

following curious remark: If any one in former times did the Commandment, the prophets

wrote it down. But now when a man observes the Commandment, who writes it down?

Elijah and the King Messiah and the Holy One, blessed be His Name , seal it at their

hands, and a memorial book is written, as it is written Mal. iii. 16.

The promise in verse 17 is extended to Messianic days in Shemoth R. 18.

On Mal. iv. 1 (in Hebrew iii. 19) the following curious comment occurs in Bereshith R. 6

(p. 14 b, lines 15 &c. from the bottom): 'The globe of the sun is encased, as it is said, He

maketh a tabernacle for the sun (Ps. xix.). And a pool of water is before it. When the sun

comes out, God cools its heat in the water lest it should burn up the world. But in the

latter days the Holy One takes it out of its sheath, and with it burns up the wicked, as it is

written Mal. iv. 1.'

Verse 2 (iii. 20 in Hebrew) is in Shemoth R. 31 quoted in connection with Ex. xxii. 26,

and explained 'till the Messiah comes.'