[Avodah] better not to have been born

[Daniel Eidensohn]

Micha Berger wrote:
> That's R' Elazar on Pesachim 87b, using the lashon "Lo hiflah HQBH es
> Yisrael levein ha'umos ela kedei sheyosifu lahem geirim."
> And yet we know there are other reasons, such as our needing an
> onesh.
> Why does R"E use such absolute language?

Maharsha(Pesachim 87b): Jews were not sent into exile except so converts
could join the Jewish people - Because if it were merely a punishment
then it would be possible to punish them in another way. Therefore it
must be in order that converts could join. In other words exile serves
to publicize the Jewish faith amongst the nations.