Pensée juive sur Samuel 1 17:14

(Parenthetically, it can be noted that in his commentary to the Talmud, Rashi states that the description of David as “small” is found in Divrei HaYamim. In his haste, Rashi was not careful. The intended reference is in I Shmuel, ch. 17.)⁴⁷This error is found in many early printings of the Talmud. It has been corrected in most contemporary printings.

R. Shimon ben Pazi (others attribute this teaching to ben Azzai) pointed out a contradiction between the verses. One verse says: “And God made the two great luminaries,” but it is also written, “the great luminary” and “the small luminary”. The moon said before the Holy One, blessed be He, “Master of the world, is it possible for two kings to wear one crown?” God answered: “Go and diminish yourself.” The moon replied, “Master of the world, because I have suggested something that is proper must I diminish myself?” God answered, “Go and ‘rule during the day and during the night.’” The moon responded, “Of what value will that be? Of what use is a candle in broad daylight?”¹²I.e., when the sun is shining, of what value will the moon’s light be? God answered, “Go. Israel will reckon by the days and the years according to you.” The moon countered, “That is impossible without the sun for the reckoning of the seasons,¹³Our translation of the Gemara follows Rashi’s commentary. The moon is responding that the seasons are entirely dependent on the sun. Since the Jewish calendar is to some extent bound by the seasons (e.g., Pesach must always be celebrated in the spring), the Jewish calendar is not totally dependent on the lunar cycle. as it is written: ‘And let them be for signs, and for appointed times, and for days and years.’”¹⁴Bereishis 1:14. God replied, “‘Go. The righteous will be called by your name. Thus Yaakov is referred to as “the smaller one;”¹⁵Amos 7:2. Shmuel is referred to as “the smaller one;”¹⁶This reference to Shmuel is problematic, for as will be mentioned later in the text (p. 64), there is no Biblical reference to Shmuel the prophet as small, and it is difficult to say that this statement is referring to the Sage, Shmuel HaKatan. and David is referred to as “the smaller one.”¹⁷I Shmuel 17:14. God saw that the moon would not be consoled. Hence, the Holy One, blessed be He, said: “Bring an atonement offering for Me because I diminished the moon.” This is reflected in the teaching of R. Shimon ben Lakish who said, “Why is the wording describing the goat offered on the new moon different, for it is written concerning it, “a sin-offering for God”? Because the Holy One, blessed be He, said: “Let this goat be offered as atonement for Me for diminishing the moon.”