R’ Yeshaya was deeply troubled by how the brazen dog merited to sing Hashem’s praise. In response, he fasted for eighty-five days and beseeched Hashem to explain the matter to him.

Although dogs possess redeeming qualities, kabbalistically they symbolize the brazen and insatiable wicked. At its core, R’ Yeshaya’s question was a profound philosophical one: Why do the wicked succeed?

He was told that this question had already been asked by the prophet Chavakuk, who struggled with the success of Yisrael’s brazen and insatiable oppressors throughout the exile. Chavakuk drew a circle around himself and refused to leave it until Hashem would answer him. Hashem reprimanded him for demanding insight into this Divine realm of wisdom, instructing him instead that the nation must faithfully await His redemption.

R’ Yeshaya was similarly admonished and told not to pursue the matter further. Nevertheless, the angel proceeded to offer an explanation. The dog’s brazenness, he explained, only manifests toward those who lack holiness—just as fire burns only what is flammable.

This is why no dog barked at the Jewish nation when they departed Egypt in a state of holiness, accompanied by the Divine Presence. Furthermore, since the dog is not inherently evil, even its most impure element—its excrement—was granted a role in holiness: it is used to remove hair, a symbol of impurity, from hides prepared for sacred writings.

This passage teaches that all elements of the world praise Hashem. Whether good or bad, whether understood or beyond our comprehension:

“Blessed is the Name of His glory forever, and may His glory fill the world. Amen and Amen.”