Rabbi Hammuna said: Jerusalem
was destroyed only because they neglected the education of children; for it is
said, “pour it out [God’s wrath] because of the children on the street.” Why “pour
it out?” Because the child is in the street.”
Ulla said: Jerusalem was
destroyed only because they were not ashamed of each other, for it is written,
“Were they ashamed when the committed sins?”
“No, they were not ashamed [therefore they shall fall].”
Rabbi Isaac said: Jerusalem
was destroyed only because the small and the great were made equal, for it is
said, “And it shall be, like people like priest, which is followed by “the
earth shall be utterly emptied.”
Rabbi Amram son of Rabbi
Shimon bar Abba said in the name of Shimon bar Abba’s name in Rabbi Hanina’s
name: Jerusalem was destroyed only because they did not rebuke each other, for
the said, “Her princes are become like harts that find no pasture.” Just as the
hart, the head of one is at the side of the others tail, so Israel of that
generation hid their faces in the earth, and they do not rebuke one another.
Rav Judah said: Jerusalem was
destroyed only because scholars were despised, as it is said, “But they mocked
the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets,
until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy.”
What does “until there was no remedy” mean?
Said Rav Judah in Rav’s name, He who despises a scholar will find no
remedy for his wounds. Talmud, Shabbat
119b
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