Persecutions are of short duration. Indeed, God assured our father Jacob
that although his children would be humbled and overcome by the nations,
they and not the nations would survive and endure. He declares, “Your
descendants shall be as the dust of the earth,” that is to say, although they
will be abased like the dust that is trodden under foot, they will ultimately
emerge triumphant and victorious. And as the simile implies, just as the
dust settles finally upon him who tramples upon it and remains after him,
so will Israel outlive its oppressors. The prophet Isaiah predicted that
during its exile various peoples will succeed in their endeavor to vanquish
Israel and lord over them, but that ultimately God would come to Israel’s
assistance and put an end to their woes and afflictions… The Lord has
given us assurance through His prophets that we are indestructible and
imperishable, and we will always continue to be a preeminent community.
As it is impossible for God to cease to exist, so is our destruction and
disappearance from the world unthinkable.
[Rambam Iggeres Teiman]
