וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י בַיָּ֣ם יָד֑וֹ וּֽבַנְּהָר֥וֹת יְמִינֽוֹ׃
Aku akan menaruh tangannya atas laut, dan tangan kanannya atas sungai-sungai.
Bamidbar Rabbah
Another matter, “vekorbano…” – what did the princes see that led them to present offerings in this manner? The Rabbis say: Even though each of them presented an identical offering, they offered it regarding significant matters, and each and every one presented according to his perspective. Naḥshon began and presented regarding the protocol of the monarchy, just as his father crowned him over his brothers, just as it says: “Judah, you, your brothers will acknowledge you…[your father's sons will prostrate themselves to you]. Judah is a lion cub…” (Genesis 49:8–9). Likewise it says: “For Judah prevailed over his brothers, as the prince would come from him” (I Chronicles 5:2). There was a tradition in the hand of the tribe of Judah, their Sages, and their prominent leaders, from Jacob our patriarch, regarding everything that is destined to befall each tribe until the messianic era. Likewise, there was a tradition in the hand of each and every tribe regarding what would befall it until the messianic era, from Jacob their father.
“Vekorbano…” – he presented the dish and the basin corresponding to the kings of the house of David, who are destined to emerge from him, who ruled over the entire world, over the sea and over the land, e.g., Solomon and the messianic king. Solomon, from where is it derived? It is as it is written: “For he ruled over the entire region beyond the river, from Tifsaḥ to Gaza” (I Kings 5:4). Rav and Shmuel, one said Tifsaḥ is at one end of the world and Gaza is at the other end of the world. One said: They stand adjacent to one another; just as he ruled over Tifsaḥ and over Gaza, so he ruled over the entire world. And it says: “All the world sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom…. Each would bring his tribute…” (I Kings 10:24–25). From where is it derived that he ruled over the sea? It is as it is written: “Also the fleet of Hiram, which had carried gold from Ophir…” (I Kings 10:11). “For the king had a fleet of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years…” (I Kings 10:22). And it says: “I will set his hand upon the seas, his right on the rivers” (Psalms 89:26).
The messianic king, from where is it derived? It is, as it is written: "He will rule from sea to sea, from the river to the ends of the land" (Psalms 72:8). Over the land, from where is it derived? It is as it is written: “And all the kings, all the nations will bow to him, will serve him” (Psalms 72:11). And it says: “And behold, among the clouds of the heavens…. To him was given dominion, [honor, and kingship, and all the peoples, nations, and languages would serve him]” (Daniel 7:13–14). “The stone that struck the image became a great mountain, and filled the entire earth” (Daniel 2:35). This is why he presented a dish, corresponding to the sea that surrounds the entire world and resembles a dish.
Why was “its weight one hundred and thirty”? (Numbers 7:13). It is because when the Holy One blessed be He gathered all the waters to one place on the third day of the formation of the world, he called them seas, as it is stated: “And to the gathering of the waters, He called seas [yamim]” (Genesis 1:10). The numerical value of yamim is one hundred; yod, yod are twenty, mem, mem are eighty, that is one hundred. Solomon came and added a sea to the construction of the Temple in which the priests could immerse themselves, just as it says: “He crafted the sea, of cast metal, ten cubits from brim to brim, [circular around, and its height was five cubits; a thirty-cubit line would wrap around it]” (I Kings 7:23). Corresponding to those thirty cubits that was the circumference of the sea that Solomon crafted, he added thirty shekels to the weight of the dish corresponding to the sea of Solomon. That is one hundred and thirty shekels, the weight of the dish, corresponding to the seas and to the sea of Solomon.
“One silver basin” (Numbers 7:13), it is corresponding to the world, that is shaped like an orb that is tossed from hand to hand. Why was its weight “seventy shekels”? (Numbers 7:13). It is because both of them46Solomon and the Messianic king. ruled over seventy nations, which exist from one end of the world to the other end.
From where is it derived that the sea is shaped in the form of a dish and the world is shaped like an orb? It is like that which we learned: The Rabbis say: Only one that has in its hand a staff, a bird, an orb, a dish, a sword, a crown, or a ring is forbidden.47A statue of a person in whose hands one of these objects appears is considered an idol, and it is forbidden to benefit from it in any way. A staff, as it rules the entire world with it. A bird: “My hand has grasped the riches of the peoples like a nest” (Isaiah 10:14). An orb, as the world is shaped like an orb. Rabbi Yona said: Alexander of Macedonia, when he sought to ascend heavenward, he would rise and rise until he would see the world as an orb and the sea as a dish. That is why, when they draw him, it is with an orb in his hand. Should they draw him with a dish in his hand? He does not have dominion over the sea. But the Holy One blessed be He has dominion over the sea and has dominion over the land, recues at sea and rescues on land; that is why they brought a dish corresponding to the sea and a basin corresponding to the land.
“Both of them full [of high quality flour]" (Numbers 7:13), as the nation brought tributes [menaḥot]48The word menahot can also refer to meal offerings, which typically consist of high quality flour. to Solomon; likewise they are destined to bring it to the messianic king, just as it says: “[The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute [minḥa]]; the kings of Sheba and Seva will offer gifts” (Psalms 72:10). “Full [mele’im]” means nothing other than gifts, just as it says: “And gave them all [vaymalum] to the king” (I Samuel 18:27). “High quality flour [solet]" (Numbers 7:13), just as it says: "valued [hamesulaim] like gold" (Lamentations 4:2). "Mixed with oil” (Numbers 7:13), just as it says: “A good name is better than fragrant oil” (Ecclesiastes 7:1), and it says: “Your name is like poured oil” (Song of Songs 1:3), as their good name would go forth throughout the world.
Why were they of silver? It is just as it says: “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver” (Proverbs 10:20).
“One gold ladle, ten shekels, [full of incense]” (Numbers 7:14), corresponding to the ten generations from Peretz to David, as it is stated: “These are the generations of Peretz: [Peretz begot Hetzron]; and Hetzron begot [Ram, and Ram begot Aminadav;] Aminadav begot Naḥshon, [and Naḥshon begot Salmon; Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Oved]; and Oved begot [Yishai], and Yishai begot David” (Ruth 4:18–22). “One…ladle,” as they were all like one hand, all full-fledged righteous men. That is, “full of incense” (Numbers 7:14), as their actions were pleasant like the fragrance of the incense.
“One young bull” (Numbers 7:15), corresponding to Abraham, who was the primary progenitor, and who, in his regard, it is stated: “Abraham ran to the cattle [and took a young bull]” (Genesis 18:7). “One ram” (Numbers 7:15), this is Isaac, as, in his regard it is stated: “He took the ram and he offered it up as a burnt offering in place of his son” (Genesis 22:13). “One sheep” (Numbers 7:15), corresponding to Jacob, in whose regard it is stated: “Jacob separated the sheep” (Genesis 30:40). “One goat as a sin offering” (Numbers 7:16), corresponding to Judah, who brought Joseph’s fine tunic that he had immersed in the blood of the goat, as it is stated: “They slaughtered a goat [and they dipped the tunic in the blood]" (Genesis 37:31). Judah brought it to his father and said: “Identify this, please, is it your son’s tunic?” (Genesis 37:32). That is why it was meted to him with the same measure, as Tamar said to him: “Identify, please, whose signet, belt, [and staff are these?]” (Genesis 38:25). That is why sin offering is stated in this regard, as they brought it as atonement for him, because he brought anguish to his father.
“And for the peace offering [hashelamim], two cattle” (Numbers 7:17) – these are David and Solomon, as they initiated the monarchy, as cattle [bakar] is nothing other than an expression of monarchy, just as it says: “Butter of cattle [bakar] and milk of sheep…” (Deuteronomy 32:14), and we translate it: Give them the plunder of their kings.49Targum Onkelos on the verse. Shelamim, because they were full-fledged righteous men,50Shelamim is expounded as though it is written shelemim, complete. and in their days, Israel were flawless [mushlamim], and in the days of Solomon, the kingdom was complete [shelema], as it is stated: “Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord” (I Chronicles 29:23). The two of them built the Temple; David made the foundation, and Solomon built it.
“Five rams, five goats, five sheep in their first year” (Numbers 7:17) – these are fifteen corresponding to the fifteen kings who were from Reḥavam until Zedekiah, king son of a king. Some were full-fledged righteous men, some were middling, and some were full-fledged wicked men.
“This was the offering of Naḥshon son of Aminadav” (Numbers 7:17). When the Holy One blessed be He saw that he presented his offering corresponding to the order of the patriarchs and the royal dynasty, He began lauding his offering: “This was the offering of Naḥshon son of Aminadav.”
“Vekorbano…” – he presented the dish and the basin corresponding to the kings of the house of David, who are destined to emerge from him, who ruled over the entire world, over the sea and over the land, e.g., Solomon and the messianic king. Solomon, from where is it derived? It is as it is written: “For he ruled over the entire region beyond the river, from Tifsaḥ to Gaza” (I Kings 5:4). Rav and Shmuel, one said Tifsaḥ is at one end of the world and Gaza is at the other end of the world. One said: They stand adjacent to one another; just as he ruled over Tifsaḥ and over Gaza, so he ruled over the entire world. And it says: “All the world sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom…. Each would bring his tribute…” (I Kings 10:24–25). From where is it derived that he ruled over the sea? It is as it is written: “Also the fleet of Hiram, which had carried gold from Ophir…” (I Kings 10:11). “For the king had a fleet of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years…” (I Kings 10:22). And it says: “I will set his hand upon the seas, his right on the rivers” (Psalms 89:26).
The messianic king, from where is it derived? It is, as it is written: "He will rule from sea to sea, from the river to the ends of the land" (Psalms 72:8). Over the land, from where is it derived? It is as it is written: “And all the kings, all the nations will bow to him, will serve him” (Psalms 72:11). And it says: “And behold, among the clouds of the heavens…. To him was given dominion, [honor, and kingship, and all the peoples, nations, and languages would serve him]” (Daniel 7:13–14). “The stone that struck the image became a great mountain, and filled the entire earth” (Daniel 2:35). This is why he presented a dish, corresponding to the sea that surrounds the entire world and resembles a dish.
Why was “its weight one hundred and thirty”? (Numbers 7:13). It is because when the Holy One blessed be He gathered all the waters to one place on the third day of the formation of the world, he called them seas, as it is stated: “And to the gathering of the waters, He called seas [yamim]” (Genesis 1:10). The numerical value of yamim is one hundred; yod, yod are twenty, mem, mem are eighty, that is one hundred. Solomon came and added a sea to the construction of the Temple in which the priests could immerse themselves, just as it says: “He crafted the sea, of cast metal, ten cubits from brim to brim, [circular around, and its height was five cubits; a thirty-cubit line would wrap around it]” (I Kings 7:23). Corresponding to those thirty cubits that was the circumference of the sea that Solomon crafted, he added thirty shekels to the weight of the dish corresponding to the sea of Solomon. That is one hundred and thirty shekels, the weight of the dish, corresponding to the seas and to the sea of Solomon.
“One silver basin” (Numbers 7:13), it is corresponding to the world, that is shaped like an orb that is tossed from hand to hand. Why was its weight “seventy shekels”? (Numbers 7:13). It is because both of them46Solomon and the Messianic king. ruled over seventy nations, which exist from one end of the world to the other end.
From where is it derived that the sea is shaped in the form of a dish and the world is shaped like an orb? It is like that which we learned: The Rabbis say: Only one that has in its hand a staff, a bird, an orb, a dish, a sword, a crown, or a ring is forbidden.47A statue of a person in whose hands one of these objects appears is considered an idol, and it is forbidden to benefit from it in any way. A staff, as it rules the entire world with it. A bird: “My hand has grasped the riches of the peoples like a nest” (Isaiah 10:14). An orb, as the world is shaped like an orb. Rabbi Yona said: Alexander of Macedonia, when he sought to ascend heavenward, he would rise and rise until he would see the world as an orb and the sea as a dish. That is why, when they draw him, it is with an orb in his hand. Should they draw him with a dish in his hand? He does not have dominion over the sea. But the Holy One blessed be He has dominion over the sea and has dominion over the land, recues at sea and rescues on land; that is why they brought a dish corresponding to the sea and a basin corresponding to the land.
“Both of them full [of high quality flour]" (Numbers 7:13), as the nation brought tributes [menaḥot]48The word menahot can also refer to meal offerings, which typically consist of high quality flour. to Solomon; likewise they are destined to bring it to the messianic king, just as it says: “[The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute [minḥa]]; the kings of Sheba and Seva will offer gifts” (Psalms 72:10). “Full [mele’im]” means nothing other than gifts, just as it says: “And gave them all [vaymalum] to the king” (I Samuel 18:27). “High quality flour [solet]" (Numbers 7:13), just as it says: "valued [hamesulaim] like gold" (Lamentations 4:2). "Mixed with oil” (Numbers 7:13), just as it says: “A good name is better than fragrant oil” (Ecclesiastes 7:1), and it says: “Your name is like poured oil” (Song of Songs 1:3), as their good name would go forth throughout the world.
Why were they of silver? It is just as it says: “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver” (Proverbs 10:20).
“One gold ladle, ten shekels, [full of incense]” (Numbers 7:14), corresponding to the ten generations from Peretz to David, as it is stated: “These are the generations of Peretz: [Peretz begot Hetzron]; and Hetzron begot [Ram, and Ram begot Aminadav;] Aminadav begot Naḥshon, [and Naḥshon begot Salmon; Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Oved]; and Oved begot [Yishai], and Yishai begot David” (Ruth 4:18–22). “One…ladle,” as they were all like one hand, all full-fledged righteous men. That is, “full of incense” (Numbers 7:14), as their actions were pleasant like the fragrance of the incense.
“One young bull” (Numbers 7:15), corresponding to Abraham, who was the primary progenitor, and who, in his regard, it is stated: “Abraham ran to the cattle [and took a young bull]” (Genesis 18:7). “One ram” (Numbers 7:15), this is Isaac, as, in his regard it is stated: “He took the ram and he offered it up as a burnt offering in place of his son” (Genesis 22:13). “One sheep” (Numbers 7:15), corresponding to Jacob, in whose regard it is stated: “Jacob separated the sheep” (Genesis 30:40). “One goat as a sin offering” (Numbers 7:16), corresponding to Judah, who brought Joseph’s fine tunic that he had immersed in the blood of the goat, as it is stated: “They slaughtered a goat [and they dipped the tunic in the blood]" (Genesis 37:31). Judah brought it to his father and said: “Identify this, please, is it your son’s tunic?” (Genesis 37:32). That is why it was meted to him with the same measure, as Tamar said to him: “Identify, please, whose signet, belt, [and staff are these?]” (Genesis 38:25). That is why sin offering is stated in this regard, as they brought it as atonement for him, because he brought anguish to his father.
“And for the peace offering [hashelamim], two cattle” (Numbers 7:17) – these are David and Solomon, as they initiated the monarchy, as cattle [bakar] is nothing other than an expression of monarchy, just as it says: “Butter of cattle [bakar] and milk of sheep…” (Deuteronomy 32:14), and we translate it: Give them the plunder of their kings.49Targum Onkelos on the verse. Shelamim, because they were full-fledged righteous men,50Shelamim is expounded as though it is written shelemim, complete. and in their days, Israel were flawless [mushlamim], and in the days of Solomon, the kingdom was complete [shelema], as it is stated: “Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord” (I Chronicles 29:23). The two of them built the Temple; David made the foundation, and Solomon built it.
“Five rams, five goats, five sheep in their first year” (Numbers 7:17) – these are fifteen corresponding to the fifteen kings who were from Reḥavam until Zedekiah, king son of a king. Some were full-fledged righteous men, some were middling, and some were full-fledged wicked men.
“This was the offering of Naḥshon son of Aminadav” (Numbers 7:17). When the Holy One blessed be He saw that he presented his offering corresponding to the order of the patriarchs and the royal dynasty, He began lauding his offering: “This was the offering of Naḥshon son of Aminadav.”
Pesikta Rabbati
Arise, my light, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you [For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and thick darkness will cover the nations, and the Lord will rise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you] (Isaiah 60:1-2): This is what was said by the Holy Spirit through David, king of Israel, for your people are a fountain of life. In your light, light will be seen (Psalms 36:10). Against whom does David say this verse? They did not say it, but against the assembly of Israel. They said before the Holy One, blessed be He, the Lord of the world, because of the Torah that you gave me, which is called the fountain of life, I will delight in your light in the future to come. What is it in your light that light will be seen? What light is it that the assembly of Israel expects? This is the light of the Messiah, as it is said, And God saw the light, that it was good (Genesis 1:4). This teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, anticipated the Messiah and his works before the creation of the world (and also) [and] reserved it for his anointed for his generation under the throne of his glory. Satan said before the Holy One, blessed be He, [Lord of the world, the light that was reserved under the throne of your glory, to whom is God, to whom is he to return you and to disgrace you with shame. [God] The Lord of the world, show him to me, he said to him, "Come and see him." And when he saw him, he was shocked and fell on his face and said, "Surely this is the Messiah who is destined to cast me and all the rulers of the nations of the world into hell, as it is said, "And he will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces" (Isaiah 25:8). [At that time the nations were moved.] They said before him, "The Lord of the world, who is this that we fall into his hand? What is his name? What is his nature?" The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them, "He is the Messiah, and his name is Ephraim, the Messiah of righteousness (from the height of the heavens)." His stature and the stature of his generation, and the light of the eyes of Israel and the Savior of his people, and no nation or tongue can withstand him," as it is said, "No enemy will triumph over him, and the son of a foreigner will not answer him." (Psalms 59:23) And all his enemies and his adversaries flee, as it is said, "And I will crush his adversaries before him" (Psalms 24), and even the rivers of the sea, as it is said, "And I will set his hand in the sea and in the rivers of our right hand" (Psalms 25:8). 26) The Blessed One began a gift with him and said, "These are the ones whose sins are hidden with you. They will put you in a yoke of iron and make you like this calf whose eyes are closed and who strangle your spirit with a yoke. And with the sins of these ones, your tongue will stick to your jaws. Your desire for this is that the Messiah said before the Holy One, Blessed be He, that perhaps that sorrow will last for many years. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to him, "Your life and the life of the first week (you) [one] that I have decreed for you. If your soul is sad, I will trouble you from now on. The Lord of the worlds said before him, "In the joy of my soul and in the joy of my heart, I accept it upon me, so that not one of Israel will perish, nor will the living alone (be saved) [saved] in my days [but also those who are hidden in the dust, and not only the dead will be saved in my days, but also those who have died from the days of Adam until now], and not only those who have fallen, and not only those who have died in my days, but (for) [all] that you have thought of creating, and they were not created (in them)." In this I want in this I accept upon me At that time, the Blessed One appointed four living creatures to bear the throne of the glory of the Messiah At that time, his enemies and the princes of the kingdoms said, Come, let us argue about the generation of the Messiah that will never be created The Blessed One said to them, How do you argue about that generation that is lovely and beautiful and I am happy in it and I desire it and I will support it and I want it as it is said, "Behold, my servant, I will support him [my chosen one, whom my soul desires, I have put my spirit upon him, etc.]" (Isaiah 42:1) And how do you argue about him? I will destroy you all, fiery furnaces from the lights of kinship and not one soul will I lose. For this it is said that with you is a source of life in the light of which light is seen: [They said] A week that the son of David came, in which they brought iron beams and put them on his neck until his stature was bowed down (and it was) [and he] cried and wept and his voice ascended to heaven. He said before him, "The Lord of the universe, how much is my power and how much is my spirit and how much is my soul, how much will be my life?" My limbs are not flesh and blood. I am at that time David was weeping and saying, "My strength is as dry as clay" (Psalms 22:16). At that time, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, "Ephraim, the Messiah of my righteousness, you have already received upon you from the six days of the beginning. Now let your sorrow be like my sorrow, from the day that the wicked Nebuchadnezzar came up and destroyed my house and burned my temple and exiled my children among the nations of the world. Your life and the life of my head that I have not entered into my throne. And if you do not believe, see the dew that has come upon my head, as it is said, "My head is filled with dew, my extremities with the drops of the night" (Song of Songs 5:2). At that time, he said before Him, "Master of the world," now my mind has settled down enough for a servant to be like his master. Rabbi Levi, when the Blessed One said to the Knesset of Israel, "Arise, my light, for your light has come," she said before Him, "Master of the world (future)," you are at our head at that time. The Holy One, blessed be He, says to her, my daughter (Jephti), you say as it is said (My uncle answered and said to me, Arise, my wife Jephti, and go to you) [From the groaning of the poor, now will I arise, says the Lord, etc.] (Psalms 12:6). Another thing: Why is the assembly of Israel in this world like a girdle that cannot go and come, and the nations of the world despise them and say to them every day, "Where is your God? Why does he not save you?" She said (to him) [to them], "I have one day that my king will come upon me, and he will hold me and set me on my feet," as it is said (From the groaning of the poor, now will I arise, says the Lord, I will make him stand in salvation) [My uncle answered and said to me, Arise, my wife Jephti, and go to you] (Song of Songs 2:10). Rabbi Isaac said, "In the year that the King of the Messiah will appear, all the kings of the nations of the world will taunt one another. The king of Persia will taunt the king of Arabia. The king of Arabia will go to Edom to seek advice from them. The king of Persia will return and destroy the entire world. All the nations of the world will tremble and be terrified and fall on their faces. He will seize them with labor pains like the labor pains of a woman in labor. Israel will tremble and be terrified, saying, 'Where shall we go? Where shall we come?' And he will say to them, 'My sons, do not be afraid.' The time for your redemption has come. Not like the first redemption, so the last redemption. For the first redemption was for you sorrow and the bondage of (other) kingdoms.' But the last redemption is for you no sorrow and the bondage of (other) kingdoms.' Our sages taught that when the King of the Messiah will appear, he will stand on the roof of the Temple. He will make Israel hear and say to them, 'What shall we do?' Humble ones, the time of your redemption has come. If you do not believe, see (in its light) [in its light] that has shone upon you, as it is said, "Arise, my light, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has shone upon you, and upon you alone has it shone, and not upon the nations of the world, as it is said, "For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the nations; and upon you shall the Lord shine, and His glory shall be seen upon you." At that hour, the Holy One, blessed be He, will shine forth the light of the King of the Messiah and of Israel, and all the nations of the world will walk in darkness and gloom, and all will walk in the light of the Messiah and of Israel, as it is said, "And the nations shall walk along the kings to the star of your rising" (Isaiah 60:3). And they will come and shake the dust from under the feet of the King of the Messiah, as it is said, "And they shall tremble before him, and they shall shake the dust from his feet" (Isaiah 49:23). And they will all come and fall on their faces before the Messiah and before Israel, and say to them, "We will be your servants and Israel's servants, and each one of Israel will have two thousand and eight hundred servants," as it is said, "And it shall come to pass in that day that ten men will hold ten men." From all the languages of the nations, and they took hold of the wing of a Jew, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you" (Zechariah 8:23).