Midrash su Levitico 23:78

“Cast your bread on the surface of the water, for after many days you will find it (Ecclesiastes 11:1).
“Cast your bread on the surface of the water” – Rabbi Beivai said: If you sought to perform charity, perform it with those who toil in Torah study, as water stated here is nothing other than words of Torah, as it is stated: “Anyone thirsty, go to water” (Isaiah 55:1).¹This verse is interpreted as using the term water to refer to Torah, as implied by the continuation: “Incline your ear and come to Me, hear and your soul shall live” (Isaiah 55:3). Rabbi Akiva said: When I was coming by sea, I saw a ship that sank in the sea, and I was very sorry about a certain Torah scholar who was on it and [must have] drowned. When I arrived at the province of Kapotkeya, I saw him, that he was sitting before me and asking questions. I said to him: ‘My son, how did you ascend from the sea?’ He said: ‘Rabbi, due to your prayer, each wave cast me to another, and another to another until they caused me to reach dry land.’ I said to him: ‘My son, what deeds do you have to your credit?’ He said: ‘When I boarded the ship, a certain unfortunate man encountered me. He said to me: Perform charity for me, and I gave him a loaf. He said to me: Just as you gave me my life with your gift, so may your life be given to you.’ I read in his regard: “Cast your bread on the surface of the water.”
There was an incident involving a certain large ship that set sail in the Mediterranean Sea. The wind took hold of it and brought it to a place where there was no flowing water.²The water currents in that location swirled in such a way that the ship was unable to progress. When they realized that they were in serious trouble, they said: Let us share our supplies. If we die, all of us will die. If we live, all of us will live. The Omnipresent enlightened their eyes and they took a goat, roasted it, and suspended it on the west side of the ship. A great beast came after its aroma and began dragging [the ship] until it cast it into flowing water and they traveled on. When they arrived and entered Rome, they recounted the incident to Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua. They read in their regard: “Cast your bread on the surface of the water.”
Bar Kappara was digging³Some commentaries contend that the text should read: Bar Kappara was strolling (Matnot Kehuna; Etz Yosef). on the coast at Caesarea. He saw a ship that had sunk in the sea and a governor ascending from it unclothed. When [bar Kappara] saw him, he approached him, inquired after his welfare, and gave him two sela. What [else] did he do? He took him into his house, fed him, gave him to drink, and gave him an additional three sela. He said to him: ‘A prominent man like you will [need to] spend an additional three sela.’ Sometime later, Jews were incarcerated in Safefasa. They said: ‘Who will go and appease [the authorities] on our behalf?’ They said to each other: ‘Bar Kappara, as he is esteemed by the government.’ He said to them: ‘You know that this kingdom does nothing for free.’ They said to him: ‘There are five hundred dinars here; take them and appease them on our behalf.’ He took five hundred dinars and ascended to the governmental authorities. When the governor saw him, [the governor] stood on his feet and inquired after his welfare. [The governor] said to him: ‘Why did the Rabbi trouble himself to come here?’ [Bar Kappara] said to him: ‘I am requesting from you that you have mercy on these Jews.’ [The governor] said to him: ‘You know that this kingdom does nothing for free.’ [Bar Kappara] said to him: ‘I have with me five hundred dinars. Take them and be appeased in our regard.’ [The governor] said to him: ‘Let these dinars be payment to you for the five sela that you gave me, and [the members of] your nation will be freed in exchange for the food and the drink that you fed me and gave me to drink in your house, and go you in peace, with great honor.’ They read in his regard: “Cast your bread on the surface of the water.”
Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua was strolling on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. He saw a ship that was being tossed in the sea, and in an instant, it sank along with everything that was on it. He saw one man who was sitting on one of the planks of the ship. [His plank was tossed] from one wave to another; he ascended to dry land when he was naked, and he hid on the seacoast. It was the season when Jews ascend to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage festival. He said to them: ‘I am from the descendants of Esau your brother. Give me some minimal garments, and I will cover my nakedness, as the sea stripped me bare and I was left with nothing.’ They said to him: ‘May your entire nation be stripped bare in this manner.’ He lifted his eyes and saw Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua strolling among them. He said: ‘I see that you are an elderly and respected man in your nation, and you are wise in the ways of the dignity of people. Perform charity for me and give me a covering, for the sea stripped me bare.’ Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua had on him seven cloaks. He removed one and gave it to him. He led him to his house, fed him, gave him to drink, gave him two hundred dinars, transported him fourteen parasangs, and accorded him great honor until he brought him into his [own] house.
Sometime later, the evil emperor died, and they appointed a king in his place. He decreed on that province that all the men were to be executed and all the women to be plundered.⁴The new king was the man who had been saved from the ship. He issued the decree because the Jews of that province had treated him so poorly in his time of need. They said to Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua: ‘Go and appease them on our behalf.’ He said to them: ‘You know that this kingdom does nothing for free.’ They said to him: ‘There are four thousand dinars here; take them and appease them on our behalf.’ He took them and ascended, and stood at the gate of the royal palace.
He said to them: ‘Go and say to the king: One Jewish man is standing at the gate and he wishes to ask after the welfare of the king.’ [The king] said: ‘Bring him in.’ When the king saw him, he threw himself off his throne and fell on his face. He said: ‘What business does my master have here, and why did my master trouble himself to come here?’ [Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua] said: ‘It is so you will have mercy on that province and abrogate that decree.’ He said to him: ‘Is there any untruth written in the Torah?’ He said to him: ‘No.’ He said to him: ‘Is it not written in your Torah: “An Amonite and a Moavite shall not enter into the assembly of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 23:4)? Why? “Because they did not greet you with bread and with water” (Deuteronomy 23:5). And it is written: “Do not despise an Edomite, as he is your brother” (Deuteronomy 23:8). Am I not a descendant of Esau your brother?⁵The Edomites were descendants of Esau. This man was Roman, and the Sages identified Rome as descendants of the Edomites. But they did not treat me with kindness. One who violates the Torah incurs liability to be executed.’
Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua said to him: ‘Even though they have incurred liability toward you, pardon them and have mercy on them.’ He said to him: ‘You know that this kingdom does nothing for free.’ He said to him: ‘I have with me four thousand dinars. Take them and have mercy on them.’ He said to him: ‘Let these four thousand be given to you in exchange for the two hundred that you gave me, and the entire province will be pardoned because of you, in exchange for the food and the drink that you fed me and gave me to drink. Go into my treasury and take for yourself seven cloaks of garments in exchange for the cloak that you gave to me. Go in peace to your people, and I will pardon them because of you.’ They read in his regard: “Cast your bread on the surface of the water.”
There was an incident involving a certain man who each day would take one loaf and cast it into the Mediterranean Sea. One day he went and purchased a fish. He cut it open and found a jewel in it. They said to him: This is the man who received a return for his loaves. They read in his regard: “Cast your bread on the surface of the water.”
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: There was an incident involving a merchant who was walking along the way along with a certain soldier. As they were walking together they developed a fondness for one another. When they entered the city, [the merchant] brought him in with him, fed him, and gave him to drink. Sometime later this merchant was arrested for selling garments stained with blood.⁶The suspicion was that he had attacked travelers and stolen their garments. That soldier heard, and he came to him. He said to [the merchant]: ‘What are you doing here?’ [The merchant] recounted the incident to him. [The soldier] said to him: ‘When you go out to be tried, say to them that so-and-so knows to speak in my favor.’ When he went out to be tried, he said: ‘So-and-so knows to speak in my favor.’ They said to [the soldier]: ‘What favorable [considerations] do you know about this [individual]?’ He said to them: ‘The brother of someone who was killed owed me [money], but he did not have anything to give. He gave me his⁷The garments of his dead brother. garments, and I gave them to this one to sell them for me.’ They said: ‘A trustworthy one received it from a trustworthy one,’ and he was freed. They read in his regard: “Cast your bread on the surface of the water.”
Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Simai interpreted it regarding Abraham our patriarch. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: You said: “I will take a loaf of bread [and you shall sustain your heart]” (Genesis 18:5); by your life, I will repay your descendants in the wilderness, in the settlement, and in the future. In the wilderness, as it is stated: “Behold I will rain bread down to you from the heavens” (Exodus 16:4). In the settlement, as it is stated: “A land of wheat and barley” (Deuteronomy 8:8). And in the future as it is stated: “There will be an abundance of grain in the land” (Psalms 72:16).
You said: “And wash your feet” (Genesis 18:4); by your life, I will repay your descendants in the wilderness, in the settlement, and in the future. In the wilderness, as it is stated: “I will wash you in water…” (Ezekiel 16:9).⁸The verse means that God cleansed them of the impurity of Egypt. In the settlement, as it is stated: “Wash and be purified” (Isaiah 1:16). And in the future as it is stated: “When the Lord will have washed away the excrement of the daughters of Zion” (Isaiah 4:4).
You said: “Please let a little water be taken” (Genesis 18:4); by your life, I will repay your descendants in the wilderness, in the settlement, and in the future. In the wilderness, as it is stated: “Arise, well, [give voice for it]” (Numbers 21:17).⁹Israel recited this expression of praise and gratitude for the miraculous well that provided water for them in the wilderness. In the settlement, as it is stated: “A land of streams of water…” (Deuteronomy 8:7). And in the future as it is stated: “It will be on that day, the mountains will drip nectar and the hills will flow with milk; all the streams of Judah will flow with water…” (Joel 4:18).
You said: “Recline under the tree” (Genesis 18:4); by your life, I will repay your descendants in the wilderness, in the settlement, and in the future. In the wilderness, as it is stated: “He spread a cloud for a screen” (Psalms 105:39). In the settlement, as it is stated: “You shall dwell in booths seven days; every native in Israel shall dwell in booths” (Leviticus 23:42). And in the future as it is stated: “It will be a shelter for shade by day…” (Isaiah 4:6).

Whence do we know that Sarah, Rachel and Hannah were visited on New Year's Day? R. Elazar said: We infer by comparing the expression, Zechiro, Zechiro (remember) and Pekidah Pekidah (visit) that appear in both places. Concerning the expression Zechira Zechira (remember), it is written of Rachel (Gen. 30, 32) And God remembered (Voyizkor) Rachel; and of Hannah, it is written (I Sam. 1, 19) And God remembered her (Voyizkor); this institutes an analogy between the word remember (Zechira) used in these passages and Zechiro, used in connection with New Year's Day, which is written (Lev. 23, 24) A remembrance (Zichrow) of blowing of cornets. Again, we make an inference from the analogy of Pekido Pekido (visit); it is written concerning Sarah (Gen. 21, 1) And the Lord visited (Pakad) Sarah as He said. Again, it is written concerning Hannah (I Sam. 2, 21) And truly the Lord visited (Pokad) Hannah. By the rule of analogy, all these events took place on the same [New Year's] day. Whence do we know that Joseph was released from prison on New Year's Day? It is written (Ps. 81, 4-5) Blow on the new moon the cornet at the appointed time on the day of our feast; for this is a statute for Israel. And again (Ib.) As a testimony in Joseph did he ordain it, when he went out over the land of Egypt. (Ib. b) On New Year's Day the bondage of our fathers in Egypt ceased. Whence do we know this? We infer it by rule of analogy of the word Sebila mentioned in two places. It is written (Ex. 6, 6) I will bring you out from under the burdens (Sibloth) of the Egyptians; and it is written (Ps. 81, 6) I removed his shoulder from the burden (Seibel); i.e., from the burden of Egypt on the day spoken of in the Psalm. In Nissan they were redeemed, as previously proven. In Tisari we shall again be redeemed. This he deduces by analogy from the word Shofor (cornet), found in the following passages. It is written (Ib.) Blow the cornet on the new moon (i.e., on New Year's Day); and it is written there (Isa. 27, 13) And on that day the great cornet (B'shofor), shall be blown [just as in the former case it means New Year's Day, so does it also in the latter]. R. Joshua says: "In Nissan they [our ancestors] were redeemed, and in Nissan we shall be redeemed in the future." Whence do we infer this? From the following passage (Ex. 12, 42), … this same night is a night of watching unto the Lord; i.e., a night specially designated from the first days of creation for the final redemption of Israel. (Ib.) … For all the children of Israel throughout their generations; i.e., a night looked forward to for the future redemption.

We are taught in a Baraitha: R. Juda taught in the name of R. Akiba: "Why does the Torah command (Lev. 23, 10) a sheaf of the first fruits to be brought on the Passover? Because Passover is the season when judgment is passed with respect to grain, and the Holy One, praised be He! said: 'Offer before Me the first sheaf of grain on Passover, so that the grain on the fields may be blessed, unto you.' And why are the two loaves offered on the Pentecost? Because Pentecost is the season when judgment is passed with respect to the fruit of trees, and the Holy One, praised be He! said: 'Bring before Me two loaves on the Pentecost, so that I may bless the fruits of the tree.' Why was the ceremony of the offer of Libation performed on the Feast of Tabernacles? Thus said the Holy One, praised be He! 'Perform before Me the ceremony of Libation that the rains shall fall in due season.' The Holy One, praised be He! said further: 'Recite before Me [on New Year's Day] Malchioth, in which divine homage is alluded to; Zichronoth, [verses in which divine remembrance is alluded to]; and Shofroth [verses treating of the Shofar]: Malchioth, that you proclaim Me king; Zichronoth, that your remembrance for good may come before Me. And how [shall this be done]? By the sounding of the cornet.' " R. Abahu said: "Why is the cornet made of a ram's horn? The Holy One, praised be He! said: Sound before Me a cornet made of a ram's horn, that I may remember, for your sake, the offering of Isaac, the son of Abraham."

(4) R. Joshua, however, says: "Whence do we know that the Patriarchs were born in the month of Nissan? It is said (I Kings 6, 1) In the fourth year, in the month Ziv (glory), which is the second month, etc.; i.e., in that month in which the glorious ones of the earth (the patriarchs) were born. But, how is the passage of Ethanim to be explained? This means that they (the Israelites) were strongly protected by meritorious deeds. But how will the one who holds that the patriarchs were born in Tishri explain the reference to the month of Ziv? He will explain it literally: In the month when the trees are blooming, as R. Juda said: "Whoever takes a walk in the month of Nissan and observes the trees sprouting forth, he should say: 'Blessed art thou who hast made thy world lacking in naught, but hast produced therein goodly creatures and goodly trees wherewith to give delight unto the children of men.'" According to the one who holds that the patriarchs were born in Nissan, they also died in Nissan; and, according to the one who holds that they were born in Tishri, they also died in Tishri; for it is said (Deut. 31, 2) Moses said, I am one hundred and twenty years old to-day. He need not say to-day [if it has no special significance]. We, therefore, infer that to-day implies that just that very day have his days and years been completed. This is to teach that the Holy One, praised be He! grants the righteous the fulfillment of the years of their life to the very month and day; as it is said (Ex. 23, 26) The number of thy days will I make full. (5) Isaac was born on Passover. Whence do we infer this? It is written (Gen. 18, 14) At the next festival I will return to thee, and Sarah will have a son. What festival was it when he said this? Shall I assume that it was Passover, that he referred to Pentecost? Is it possible to bear children after fifty days' gestation? If I assume that it was Pentecost, that he referred to Tishri, then again the question is, Who bears children after five months' gestation? Shall I assume that it was Tabernacles, and that he referred to Passover, the same objection may be made: Is it possible to bear children after: six months of gestation? We have been taught in a Baraitha [in answer to the last objection]; that particular year was a leap year [and, therefore, it makes seven months]. But at all events the objection remains, for we must deduct the days of menstruation; hence less than seven months will remain. Mar Zutra [in answer to this] said that although a child born after nine months' gestation is never born before the ninth month is completed, nevertheless a seven months' child can he born before the seventh month is complete; as it is said (I Sam. 1, 20) And it came to pass, Li't'kufoth Hayamim (when the time was come about); the minimum of T'kufoth are two and the minimum of yamim is also two (i.e., after six months and two days' gestation, child-birth is possible). (6) Whence do we know that Sarah, Rachel and Hannah were visited on New Year's Day? R. Elazar said: We infer by comparing the expression, Zechiro, Zechiro (remember) and Pekidah Pekidah (visit) that appear in both places. Concerning the expression Zechira Zechira (remember), it is written of Rachel (Gen. 30, 32) And God remembered (Voyizkor) Rachel; and of Hannah, it is written (I Sam. 1, 19) And God remembered her (Voyizkor); this institutes an analogy between the word remember (Zechira) used in these passages and Zechiro, used in connection with New Year's Day, which is written (Lev. 23, 24) A remembrance (Zichrow) of blowing of cornets. Again, we make an inference from the analogy of Pekido Pekido (visit); it is written concerning Sarah (Gen. 21, 1) And the Lord visited (Pakad) Sarah as He said. Again, it is written concerning Hannah (I Sam. 2, 21) And truly the Lord visited (Pokad) Hannah. By the rule of analogy, all these events took place on the same [New Year's] day. Whence do we know that Joseph was released from prison on New Year's Day? It is written (Ps. 81, 4-5) Blow on the new moon the cornet at the appointed time on the day of our feast; for this is a statute for Israel. And again (Ib.) As a testimony in Joseph did he ordain it, when he went out over the land of Egypt. (Ib. b) On New Year's Day the bondage of our fathers in Egypt ceased. Whence do we know this? We infer it by rule of analogy of the word Sebila mentioned in two places. It is written (Ex. 6, 6) I will bring you out from under the burdens (Sibloth) of the Egyptians; and it is written (Ps. 81, 6) I removed his shoulder from the burden (Seibel); i.e., from the burden of Egypt on the day spoken of in the Psalm. In Nissan they were redeemed, as previously proven. In Tisari we shall again be redeemed. This he deduces by analogy from the word Shofor (cornet), found in the following passages. It is written (Ib.) Blow the cornet on the new moon (i.e., on New Year's Day); and it is written there (Isa. 27, 13) And on that day the great cornet (B'shofor), shall be blown [just as in the former case it means New Year's Day, so does it also in the latter]. R. Joshua says: "In Nissan they [our ancestors] were redeemed, and in Nissan we shall be redeemed in the future." Whence do we infer this? From the following passage (Ex. 12, 42), … this same night is a night of watching unto the Lord; i.e., a night specially designated from the first days of creation for the final redemption of Israel. (Ib.) … For all the children of Israel throughout their generations; i.e., a night looked forward to for the future redemption.

(9) We are taught in a Baraitha: R. Juda taught in the name of R. Akiba: "Why does the Torah command (Lev. 23, 10) a sheaf of the first fruits to be brought on the Passover? Because Passover is the season when judgment is passed with respect to grain, and the Holy One, praised be He! said: 'Offer before Me the first sheaf of grain on Passover, so that the grain on the fields may be blessed, unto you.' And why are the two loaves offered on the Pentecost? Because Pentecost is the season when judgment is passed with respect to the fruit of trees, and the Holy One, praised be He! said: 'Bring before Me two loaves on the Pentecost, so that I may bless the fruits of the tree.' Why was the ceremony of the offer of Libation performed on the Feast of Tabernacles? Thus said the Holy One, praised be He! 'Perform before Me the ceremony of Libation that the rains shall fall in due season.' The Holy One, praised be He! said further: 'Recite before Me [on New Year's Day] Malchioth, in which divine homage is alluded to; Zichronoth, [verses in which divine remembrance is alluded to]; and Shofroth [verses treating of the Shofar]: Malchioth, that you proclaim Me king; Zichronoth, that your remembrance for good may come before Me. And how [shall this be done]? By the sounding of the cornet.' " R. Abahu said: "Why is the cornet made of a ram's horn? The Holy One, praised be He! said: Sound before Me a cornet made of a ram's horn, that I may remember, for your sake, the offering of Isaac, the son of Abraham."

“Judah was exiled due to affliction and great enslavement. She settled among the nations, did not find rest; all her pursuers have overtaken her within the straits” (Lamentations 1:3).
“Judah was exiled.” Are the nations of the world not exiled? Rather, even though they are exiled, their exile is not exile. The nations of the world who eat of their bread and drink of their wine, their exile is not exile.⁸³They assimilate into their new surroundings, symbolized by the fact that they consume the bread and wine of the people in their new surroundings. Consequently, they do not experience exile as acutely as Jews experience it. Israel, who do not eat of their bread and do not drink of their wine, their exile is exile. The nations of the world, who walk in their garments,⁸⁴They adopt the mode of dress of their new surroundings. their exile is not exile, but Israel, who walk barefoot, their exile is exile. That is why it is stated: “Judah was exiled.” Here it is stated: “Judah was exiled [galeta],” and there it is stated: “Judah was exiled [vayegal] from upon its land” (Jeremiah 52:27),⁸⁵The verse in Jeremiah uses the feminine form while the verse in Lamentations uses the masculine form. for once they were exiled, their power waned like a female. That is why it is stated: “Judah was exiled [galeta].”
“Due to affliction [me’oni],” it is because they ate leavened bread on Passover, just as it says: “You shall not eat with it leavened bread; seven days you shall eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction [oni]” (Deuteronomy 16:3). Alternatively, “due to affliction [me’oni],” because they took the collateral of a poor man [ani] into their homes, just as it says: “If he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his collateral” (Deuteronomy 24:12). Alternatively, “due to affliction [me’oni],” because they withheld the wages of hired laborers, just as it says: “You shall not exploit a poor [ani] or indigent hired laborer” (Deuteronomy 24:14). Alternatively, “due to affliction [me’oni],” because they stole the gifts of the poor, just as you say: “You shall leave them for the poor [ani] and the stranger” (Leviticus 19:10, 23:22). Alternatively, “due to affliction [me’oni],” because they ate the tithe of the poor; Rabbi Beivai and Rabbi Huna [said] in the name of Rav: One who eats produce from which the tithe of the poor was not taken is liable to receive the death penalty. Alternatively, “due to affliction [me’oni],” because they engaged in idol worship, just as it says: “It is a sound of crying [anot] that I hear” (Exodus 32:18).⁸⁶Moses said this when he heard the sound of the people worshipping the Golden Calf. Rabbi Aḥa said: It is the sound of lauding idol worship that I hear.⁸⁷This is Rabbi Aḥa’s explanation of the phrase from Exodus 32:18. Rabbi Yehuda says in the name of Rabbi Yosei: There is no generation that does not receive [punishment] due to the sin of the Calf.

1) (Vayikra 23:10) ("Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: When you come to the land which I give to you and you reap its harvest, you shall bring an omer (one-tenth of an ephah) of the first of your harvest to the Cohein.") I might think, when they came to trans-Jordan; it is, therefore, written "the land" — the distinctive land.

1) (Vayikra 23:15) ("And you shall count for yourselves from the morrow of the Sabbath, from the day that you bring the omer of the lifting; seven complete Sabbaths shall they be."): "And you shall count for yourselves": Each one shall count for himself individually. "from the morrow of the Sabbath": from the morrow of the festival (Pesach, on the sixteenth day of Nissan). I might think, from the morrow of the (literal) Sabbath, of creation (i.e., Saturday) — R. Yossi b. R. Yehudah said: "Until the morrow of the seventh Sabbath shall you count fifty days" (Vayikra 23:16) indicates that the entire count (from Pesach until Shavuoth) will (always) be fifty days, (which would not be the case if the Sabbath of creation were meant).

1) (Vayikra 23:15) ("And you shall count for yourselves from the morrow of the Sabbath, from the day that you bring the omer of the lifting; seven complete Sabbaths shall they be."): "And you shall count for yourselves": Each one shall count for himself individually. "from the morrow of the Sabbath": from the morrow of the festival (Pesach, on the sixteenth day of Nissan). I might think, from the morrow of the (literal) Sabbath, of creation (i.e., Saturday) — R. Yossi b. R. Yehudah said: "Until the morrow of the seventh Sabbath shall you count fifty days" (Vayikra 23:16) indicates that the entire count (from Pesach until Shavuoth) will (always) be fifty days, (which would not be the case if the Sabbath of creation were meant).

1) (Vayikra 23:15) ("And you shall count for yourselves from the morrow of the Sabbath, from the day that you bring the omer of the lifting; seven complete Sabbaths shall they be."): "And you shall count for yourselves": Each one shall count for himself individually. "from the morrow of the Sabbath": from the morrow of the festival (Pesach, on the sixteenth day of Nissan). I might think, from the morrow of the (literal) Sabbath, of creation (i.e., Saturday) — R. Yossi b. R. Yehudah said: "Until the morrow of the seventh Sabbath shall you count fifty days" (Vayikra 23:16) indicates that the entire count (from Pesach until Shavuoth) will (always) be fifty days, (which would not be the case if the Sabbath of creation were meant).

1) (Vayikra 23:17) ("From your dwellings shall you bring two breads of lifting. Two tenths of fine flour shall they be. Of leaven shall they be baked, first fruits to the L–rd.") "From your dwellings": and not from outside Eretz Yisrael. "From your dwellings": even from the attic (i.e., even from old grain if no new grain is available). "shall you bring": What you bring elsewhere (the thanksgiving loaves) should be (of the same measure) as this. Just as this is one-tenth to a loaf, so, what you bring elsewhere must be one-tenth to a loaf.

1) (Vayikra 23:2) ("Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: The festivals of the L–rd, which you shall call (them) callings of holiness — these are My festivals.") And whence is it derived that the year is intercalated for the sake of those living in exile, (who left their places) and have not yet reached (Jerusalem for the festival)? From "the children of Israel … The festivals of the L–rd" — Arrange the festivals so that they can be observed by all of Israel.

1) Above (Vayikra 23:2), intercalation of the year is being spoken of, and here (Vayikra 22:4) sanctification of the month is being spoken of. If (the moon) were seen clearly, or witnesses came and testified (to that effect) before them (beth-din), and they were unable to proclaim "It is intercalated until it became dark — whence is it derived that it is intercalated? From "which you shall call (them) in their times." If you called them, they are My festivals. If not, they are not My festivals.

1) (Vayikra 23:24) ("Speak to the children of Israel, saying: On the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be for you a Sabbath, a remembrance of teruah, a holy calling.") "the children of Israel … a holy calling," and not gentiles, (even though they, too, are judged on Rosh Hashanah.) If "the children of Israel," I would know only "the children of Israel" per se. Whence would I derive (for inclusion) proselytes and bondsmen? From (the superfluous) "for you." "a Sabbath (Shabbathon) a remembrance of teruah, a holy calling": "a Sabbath": R. Eliezer says: "a Sabbath": This is (the blessing over) the holiness of the day. "a remembrance": This is (the section of) zichronoth. "teruah": This is shofaroth. "a holy calling": Sanctify (the day) by abstaining from labor. R. Akiva (to R. Eliezer): Why should we not say that "Shabbathon" refers to abstention from labor, for this is the prime thrust of the verse? "Remembrance" is zichronoth." teruah": This is shofaroth. "a holy calling": This is the holiness of the day. And whence do we derive that (the section of) malchuyoth (Kingship) is included with them? From (Vayikra 23:22) "I am the L–rd your G d" (i.e., your King) … (Vayikra 23:24) "on the seventh month, etc." (i.e., on Rosh Hashanah). R. Yossi b. R. Yehudah says: This (the above derivation) is not necessary. It is written (Bamidbar 10:10) "Let this be a remembrance before your G d. (I am the L–rd your G d.") Let this (the seemingly) superfluous "I am the L–rd your G d") not be written. It must serve, then, as a prototype (binyan av) to teach that whenever "remembrances" are mentioned, "Kingships" are to be juxtaposed with it.

1) (Vayikra 23:24) ("Speak to the children of Israel, saying: On the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be for you a Sabbath, a remembrance of teruah, a holy calling.") "the children of Israel … a holy calling," and not gentiles, (even though they, too, are judged on Rosh Hashanah.) If "the children of Israel," I would know only "the children of Israel" per se. Whence would I derive (for inclusion) proselytes and bondsmen? From (the superfluous) "for you." "a Sabbath (Shabbathon) a remembrance of teruah, a holy calling": "a Sabbath": R. Eliezer says: "a Sabbath": This is (the blessing over) the holiness of the day. "a remembrance": This is (the section of) zichronoth. "teruah": This is shofaroth. "a holy calling": Sanctify (the day) by abstaining from labor. R. Akiva (to R. Eliezer): Why should we not say that "Shabbathon" refers to abstention from labor, for this is the prime thrust of the verse? "Remembrance" is zichronoth." teruah": This is shofaroth. "a holy calling": This is the holiness of the day. And whence do we derive that (the section of) malchuyoth (Kingship) is included with them? From (Vayikra 23:22) "I am the L–rd your G d" (i.e., your King) … (Vayikra 23:24) "on the seventh month, etc." (i.e., on Rosh Hashanah). R. Yossi b. R. Yehudah says: This (the above derivation) is not necessary. It is written (Bamidbar 10:10) "Let this be a remembrance before your G d. (I am the L–rd your G d.") Let this (the seemingly) superfluous "I am the L–rd your G d") not be written. It must serve, then, as a prototype (binyan av) to teach that whenever "remembrances" are mentioned, "Kingships" are to be juxtaposed with it.

1) (Vayikra 23:27) ("Only on the tenth day of this seventh month it is the day of atonement. A holy calling shall it be for you. And you shall afflict your souls and you shall present a fire-offering to the L–rd.") "the day of atonement, a holy calling," "the day of atonement and you shall afflict your souls," (Vayikra 23:28) "And all work you shall not do for it is a day of atonement." (Why three times?) For I might think that Yom Kippur does not atone unless he made it a holy calling (in the blessings of the day), and afflicted himself, and abstained from labor. Whence do I derive that even if he did not do these, the day atones? From "It is the day of atonement." I might think that Yom Kippur atoned only with the offerings and with the he-goats. Whence do I derive that the day atones even without them? From "It is the day of atonement." I might think that it atones both for those who repent and those who do not. — No would this follow? A sin-offering and a guilt-offering atone. Just as they atone only for penitents (viz. Bamidbar 5:7), so, Yom Kippur should atone only for penitents!

1) (Vayikra 23:27) ("Only on the tenth day of this seventh month it is the day of atonement. A holy calling shall it be for you. And you shall afflict your souls and you shall present a fire-offering to the L–rd.") "the day of atonement, a holy calling," "the day of atonement and you shall afflict your souls," (Vayikra 23:28) "And all work you shall not do for it is a day of atonement." (Why three times?) For I might think that Yom Kippur does not atone unless he made it a holy calling (in the blessings of the day), and afflicted himself, and abstained from labor. Whence do I derive that even if he did not do these, the day atones? From "It is the day of atonement." I might think that Yom Kippur atoned only with the offerings and with the he-goats. Whence do I derive that the day atones even without them? From "It is the day of atonement." I might think that it atones both for those who repent and those who do not. — No would this follow? A sin-offering and a guilt-offering atone. Just as they atone only for penitents (viz. Bamidbar 5:7), so, Yom Kippur should atone only for penitents!

1) Above (Vayikra 23:2), intercalation of the year is being spoken of, and here (Vayikra 22:4) sanctification of the month is being spoken of. If (the moon) were seen clearly, or witnesses came and testified (to that effect) before them (beth-din), and they were unable to proclaim "It is intercalated until it became dark — whence is it derived that it is intercalated? From "which you shall call (them) in their times." If you called them, they are My festivals. If not, they are not My festivals.

1) (Vayikra 23:33-34) "And the L–rd spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the children of Israel, saying: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the festival of Succoth, seven days to the L–rd." What is the intent of this? (i.e., it is essentially stated in verse 39). Because it is written (Vayikra 23 verse 42) "In Succoth shall you sit seven days, and I do not know if the first seven days or seven other days, "On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the festival of Succoth, seven days to the L–rd," I see that the first seven days are referred to, and not seven others.

1) I might think that (the above) are permitted (to be brought on the festival, but are not mandatory); it is, therefore, written (of the same) (Bamidbar 29:39) "These you shall offer to the L–rd on your festivals." If to permit, they have already been permitted (according to our assumption). If so, why is the latter stated? To make them mandatory — that all of them must be brought on the festival.

1) (Vayikra 23:40) ("And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a tree that is hadar, branches of date-palms, and a branch of a plaited tree, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the L–rd your G d seven days.") "And you shall take for yourselves": R. Yehudah says: "taking" is written here and elsewhere (Shemoth 12:22 "And take a bunch of hyssop") Just as there, a bunch, here, too, bunched together. And the sages say even without bunching it is kasher.

1)1(Vayikra 23:41) ("And you shall celebrate it at a festival to the L–rd, seven days a year, a statute forever throughout your generations; on the seventh month you shall celebrate it.") "And you shall celebrate it as a festival to the L–rd seven days": Because it is written "And you shall celebrate it as a festival to the L–rd seven days," I might think that one must bring a festive offering (chagigah) all seven days; it is, therefore, written you shall celebrate it" — one day alone.

1)1(Vayikra 23:41) ("And you shall celebrate it at a festival to the L–rd, seven days a year, a statute forever throughout your generations; on the seventh month you shall celebrate it.") "And you shall celebrate it as a festival to the L–rd seven days": Because it is written "And you shall celebrate it as a festival to the L–rd seven days," I might think that one must bring a festive offering (chagigah) all seven days; it is, therefore, written you shall celebrate it" — one day alone.

1) (Vayikra 23:33-34) "And the L–rd spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the children of Israel, saying: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the festival of Succoth, seven days to the L–rd." What is the intent of this? (i.e., it is essentially stated in verse 39). Because it is written (Vayikra 23 verse 42) "In Succoth shall you sit seven days, and I do not know if the first seven days or seven other days, "On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the festival of Succoth, seven days to the L–rd," I see that the first seven days are referred to, and not seven others.

1) (Vayikra 23:5) ("In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, it is Pesach to the L–rd.") I might think, when it gets dark; it is, therefore, written "day." If "day," I might think from the second hour (of the day); it is, therefore, written "at twilight." Just as twilight marks the "turning" of the day (towards evening), so, "day" (here) marks the turning of the day, from the sixth hour on. And even though there is no proof for this, it is intimated (in Yirmiyahu 6:4) "Woe unto us for the day is turning, for the shadows of evening have stretched forth."

(Fol. 25) MISHNAH: It once happened that two witnesses came and said: "We saw the moon in the eastern part of the horizon in the morning, and in the evening, in the western part of the horizon." R. Jochanan b. Nuri declared them to be false witnesses; but when they came to Yamnia, Rabban Gamaliel accepted their testimony as valid. On another occasion two other witnesses came and said: "We saw the moon on its proper day, but could not see it on the next evening of the intercalary day." R. Gamaliel accepted their testimony, but R. Dosa b. Harkinas said: "They are false witnesses; for how can they testify of a woman that she gave birth, when on the next day she appears to be pregnant?" "I approve of your opinion," remarked R. Joshua. Upon this, R. Gamaliel sent word to R. Joshua, saying: "I order thee to come to me with your staff and your money, on the Day of Atonement, — which is to come according to your computation." R. Akiba went to him (R. Joshua) and found him grieving. He then said to him: "I can prove that all which Rabban Gamaliel has done is proper, for it is said (Lev. 23, 4) These are the feasts of the Lord, holy convocations which ye shall proclaim, etc.; i.e., whether at their proper time, or not at their proper time, shall their convocations be considered as holy festivals." R. Joshua then went to R. Dosa b. Harkinas. "If we are to reinvestigate the decisions of the Beth Din of R. Gamaliel." R. Doso b. Hankinas said to him, "then we must also reinvestigate the decisions of all the tribunals of justice which have existed from the time of Moses till the present day! But it is said (Ex. 24, 9) "Moses, Nadah, Abihu, and seventy elders went up [to the Mount]. Why were not the names of the elders also specified? To teach us that every three men which are appointed in Israel to form a Beth Din (judiciary tribunal), are equal to the Beth Din of Moses." E. Joshua then took his staff and money in his hand, and went to Yamnia, to Rabban Gamaliel, on the very day on which the Day of Atonement would have been according to his computation. Then Rabban Gamaliel arose and kissed him on his forehead, saying: "Enter in peace, my teacher and my disciple! My teacher in knowledge; my disciple — since thou didst fulfil my words."

5. "An angel of the LORD appeared to him." It is written: "I sleep, but my heart is awake" (Song of Songs 5:2). I am sleeping [from performing] the commandments, but my heart is awake to perform them. "My undefiled [tamati]" (ibid.) at Sinai, for they attached themselves [nitmemu] to Me at Sinai and said: ‘"Everything the LORD had spoken we will do and obey’" (Exodus 24:7). R. Yannai said: Just as twins [te'omim] feel one another's s headaches, [so too] God said, as it were [as if He were our twin]: "’I am with him in sorrow" (Psalms 91:15). Another explanation: What is [the meaning of] "I am with him in sorrow"? When they have sorrows they only call out to the Holy One, Blessed be He. In Egypt, [as it is written] "And their cry came up unto God" (Exodus 2:23). By the sea [as it is written] "And the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord" (ibid. 14:10) and there are many other examples like these. And it says: "In all their sorrows He [too] was in sorrow" (Isaiah 63:9). The Holy One, Blessed be He said to Moses, You do not sense that I too dwell in sorrow just as Israel dwells in sorrow. But you should know: from the place I speak to you from within the thorn-bush, [that is a sign] as it were that I too am a partner in their sorrow. "An angel of the LORD appeared." R. Yohanan said: This is Michael. R. Hanina said, it was Gabriel. Whenever they saw R. Yose the tall, they used to say, There is our holy Rabbi! So too wherever Michael appears, he is the Glory of the Shechinah. "To him." What does ’"to him" [imply]‘? To teach that other men were with him, yet only Moses saw [the angel]. So too it is written regarding Daniel: "And only I Daniel saw the vision." (Daniel 10:7). "In a flame of fire..." to embolden him, so that when he would come to Sinai and saw the fires he should not be afraid of them. Another explanation of "In a flame [labat] of fire" - from the upper half of the bush, jut as the heart ([leb] is in the upper half of a man. "From within the bush." A Gentile once asked R. Joshua b. Karhah: Why did the Holy One, Blessed be He, see fit to speak to Moses from within a thorn-bush? [R. Joshua retorted]: If it had been a carob tree or a sycamore tree, would you not have asked the same question. However to send you away you without any answer is not possible, [so] why from within a thorn-bush? To teach you that there is no empty place devoid of the Shechinah, not even a [lowly] thorn-bush. "In a flame of fire." At first only one angel descended and stood in the center of the fire as an intermediary. Only afterwards did the Shechinah descend and spoke with him from within the thorn-bush. Rabbi Eliezer said: Just as the thorn-bush is the lowliest of all trees in the world, so too Israel were lowly and downtrodden in Egypt. Therefore the Holy One, Blessed be He revealed Himself to them and redeemed them, as it says (Exodus 3:8) "And I will go down and save them from the Egypt." Rabbi Yossi said: Just as the thorn-bush is the hardest of all the trees, and any bird that enters into it does not come out unharmed, so too the servitude in Egypt was harsher to God more than any other servitude in the world, as it says (Ibid. 7) "And the LORD said seen I have seen the poverty of My people." Why does the verse say "see I have seen" twice? For after they drowned them in the river they would then bury them in a building. This can be compared to someone who took a staff and hit two people, and the two of them received [a lashing] with a whip and know its suffering. So too the suffering and the servitude of Israel was revealed and known to the One who spoke and thereby was the world, as it says "For I know their pains." Rabbi Yohanan said: Just as this thorn-bush is used as a fence for a garden, so too Israel is a fence for the world. Alternatively, just as the thorn-bush grows near any water, so too Israel only grows in the merit of Torah which is called water, as it says (Isaiah 55:1) "Ho any thirsty one go to water." Alternatively, just as the thorn-bush grows in a garden or in a river, so too Israel are in this world and the next world. Alternatively, just as the thorn-bush produces thorns and roses, so too Israel contains righteous and wicked people. Rabbi Pinhas ha-Kohen the son of Rabbi Hama said: Just as this thorn-bush, if someone puts his hand in he does not feel anything, but when he takes it out it gets scratched; so too when Israel went down to Egypt no one noticed anything, but when they went out "The Lord plagued Pharaoh" (Genesis 12:17). Alternatively, "From with in the thorn-bush." Rabbi Nahman the son of Rabbi Shmuel the son of Nahman said: of all the trees, some produce one leaf, some two or three. A myrtle produces three, as it says (Leviticus 23:40) "A plaited tree". A thorn-bush however has five leafs. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Moses, Israel will only be redeemed in the merit of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and in your and Aaron's merit. Alternatively, "From with in the thorn-bush." He hinted to him [Moses] that he would live 120 years, the numerical value of the thorn-bush [הסנה - ה=5 ס=60, נ=50, ה=5]. "And he saw and behold the thorn-bush was consumed by fire." From here they said, Heavenly fire raises palm branches and burns but does not consume and is black. Earthly fire does not raise palm branches and is red, consumes and does not burn. And why did the Holy One, Blessed be He reveal Himself to Moses in this way? Because he [Moses] thought in his heart, saying, Maybe the Egyptians will destroy Israel. Therefore the Holy One, Blessed be He revealed Himself in a thorn-bush that was burning but not consumed. He said to him, just as the thorn-bush is burning but is not consumed, so too the Egyptians will not be able to destroy Israel. Alternatively, since the Holy One, Blessed be He was talking with Moses and he did not want stop his task [of minding the sheep], He showed him this thing so he would turn his face and see Him. You find this [intimated] from the beginning [of the verse]: "An angel of the LORD appeared to him" - yet Moses did not go. Once he stopped doing his task and went to see, immediately "God called him" (Exodus 3:4).

“He stripped His shrine like a garden; He destroyed His place of assembly. The Lord caused festival and Shabbat to be forgotten in Zion and He scorned king and priest in His furious wrath” (Lamentations 2:6).
“He stripped His shrine [suko] like a garden.” Rabbi Ḥama ben Rabbi Ḥanina said: Like a garden whose spring was removed and its greenery turned white. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said: Like Adam the first man, just as it says: “He banished the man…” (Genesis 3:24).⁹²Just as Adam was banished from the Garden of Eden, Israel was banished from the Temple (Yefe Anaf). Rabbi Abahu said: Suko is written with the letter sin;⁹³A left dotted shin is found in the text, rather than a samekh. Thus, the word suko is similar to the word assuaged [shakhakha]. once Israel was exiled, the fury of the Holy One blessed be He was assuaged.
“The Lord caused festival and Shabbat to be forgotten in Zion.” Is it possible that the Holy One blessed be He caused the festivals and Shabbatot of Israel to be forgotten? Rather, it is the festivals and sabbaths of Yerovam ben Nevat, that he fabricated for them. That is what is written: “In the month that he fabricated from his heart [milibo]” (I Kings 12:33). Milevad is written,⁹⁴The word in the verse in Kings is written milevad but pronounced milibo. just as it says: “Beside the [milevad] Sabbaths of the Lord” (Leviticus 23:38). “He scorned king and priest in His furious wrath.” “King,” this is Zedekiah. “And priest,” this is Seraya ben Maḥsaya.⁹⁵Zedekiah and Seraya were the king and High Priest, respectively, at the time of the destruction of the Temple. The destruction took place despite their personal piety (Yefe Anaf).

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2) R. Shimon says: "And if you offer a meal-offering of bikkurim to the L–rd": This meal-offering is mandatory. I might think it is voluntary; it is, therefore, written (Bamidbar 23:10): "and you shall bring the omer, the first (grain) of your harvest to the Cohein" — it is mandatory.

2) I might think, when they came to Ammon and Moav; it is, therefore, written "which I give to you" — not Ammon and Moav.

2) If I say (that the count is) from the morrow of the Sabbath of creation, then sometimes the count will be fifty-one days; sometimes, fifty-two; sometimes, fifty-three; sometimes, fifty-four; sometimes, fifty-five; sometimes, fifty-six (depending on which day Pesach begins). How, then, must I understand "from the morrow of the Sabbath"? As from the morrow of the festival.

2) "the meal-offering of your bikkurim": I might think this is an individual offering, (but) it is written here "bikkurim," and, elsewhere, (in respect to the two loaves, Vayikra 23:17): "bikkurim." Just as "bikkurim" there are a communal offering, so, bikkurim here. These are the words of R. Akiva. R. Shimon says: I might think this is an individual offering, but (this is negated by) its being written (Vayikra 23:14): "And you shall bring the omer, the first (grain) of your harvest, to the Cohein." If you say that this (in our verse) is an individual offering, and that is a communal offering, this cannot be. For if this is "bikkurim to the L–rd," then that is not the first of the harvest; and if that is the first of the harvest, then this is not "bikkurim to the L–rd." (Note:) Things omitted here (in connection with the omer offering [e.g., "waving" and the permitting of chadash (the new crop)] are written there.

2) If I say (that the count is) from the morrow of the Sabbath of creation, then sometimes the count will be fifty-one days; sometimes, fifty-two; sometimes, fifty-three; sometimes, fifty-four; sometimes, fifty-five; sometimes, fifty-six (depending on which day Pesach begins). How, then, must I understand "from the morrow of the Sabbath"? As from the morrow of the festival.

2) "the meal-offering of your bikkurim": I might think this is an individual offering, (but) it is written here "bikkurim," and, elsewhere, (in respect to the two loaves, Vayikra 23:17): "bikkurim." Just as "bikkurim" there are a communal offering, so, bikkurim here. These are the words of R. Akiva. R. Shimon says: I might think this is an individual offering, but (this is negated by) its being written (Vayikra 23:14): "And you shall bring the omer, the first (grain) of your harvest, to the Cohein." If you say that this (in our verse) is an individual offering, and that is a communal offering, this cannot be. For if this is "bikkurim to the L–rd," then that is not the first of the harvest; and if that is the first of the harvest, then this is not "bikkurim to the L–rd." (Note:) Things omitted here (in connection with the omer offering [e.g., "waving" and the permitting of chadash (the new crop)] are written there.

2) "breads of lifting two": They should look alike. "Two tenths": in sum total. "of fine flour shall they be; of leaven shall they be baked": He extracts it (the leaven) from themselves (the two loaves to be baked) and from their leaven. These are the words of R. Meir. R. Yehudah says: This, too, is not "select." Rather he brings leaven (from elsewhere) and he places it into the (one-tenth) measure and fills it up (with fine flour). R. Meir: That, too, would be lacking (of the exact measure) or more (than it).

2) If the year had to be intercalated, and they (beth-din) sat and deliberated and were unable to proclaim "It is intercalated" until the advent of Nissan, I might think that it were intercalated; it is, therefore, written "which you shall call them .. My festivals." If you call them, they are My festivals. If not, they are not My festivals.

3) (What is) the order of the blessings (in Mussaf)? Patriarchs (Shield of Abraham), Strengths (You are strong), and Holiness of the Name (You are holy). And he includes Kingships with them, but does not blow (the shofar). (Then) the Holiness of the day, and he blows; Remembrances, and he blows; Shofaroth, and he blows. Then, he recites the (sacrificial) service, and thanksgiving, and the priestly blessing. These are the words of R. Yochanan b. Nuri.

2) — No, this may be so for a guilt-offering and a sin-offering, which do not atone for witting sin as for unwitting sin. Would you say the same for Yom Kippur, which does atone for witting as for unwitting sin? And since it does, we would say that it atones both for those who do repent and for those who do not. It is, therefore, written "Only" (a term of exclusion). To teach that it atones only for those who repent.

2) If they sanctified it (erroneously) without witnesses, or if witnesses came and testified and were found to be scheming witnesses, whence is it derived that it is sanctified? From which you shall call (them) in their times." If you called them, they are My festivals. If not, they are not My festivals.

2) "this is the festival of Succoth": This (festival) requires a succah, but the festival of matzoth (Pesach) does not require a succah. Now would it not follow a fortiori, viz.: If this (festival), which does not require matzoh, requires a succah, then the festival of matzoth, which does require matzoh, how much more so should it require a succah! It is, therefore, written "this is the festival of Succoth" — This, the festival of Succoth, requires a succah, but not the festival of matzoth.

2) I might think (that he could bring them) on any festival that he desired. It is, therefore, written (Devarim 12:5-6) "And you shall come there (to the Temple) and you shall bring there" (the same). If to permit, it had already been permitted. If to make mandatory, it has already been made mandatory. If so, why is it written? (To make it mandatory for him to bring them) on the first festival (of the three festivals) that arrives (after they were due).

2) "And you shall take for yourselves": each one of you. "for yourselves": and not what is borrowed or stolen — whence it was ruled: One does not fulfill his obligation on the first day of the festival with his neighbor's lulav. But if he wishes, he may give it as a gift to his neighbor, and his neighbor to his neighbor, even if there be a hundred. Once, R. Gamliel and the elders were coming in a boat and no one but R. Gamliel had a lulav, whereupon he gave it as a gift to R. Yehoshua, R. Yehoshua to R. Elazar b. Azaryah, and R. Elazar b. Azaryah to R. Akiva, and all of them fulfilled their obligation thereby.

2) If so, why is "seven days" written? Restitution (for omission of the offering) may be made all seven days.

2) (Vayikra 23:6) ("And on the fifteenth day of this month is the festival of matzoth to the L–rd. Seven days shall you eat matzoh.") "And on the fifteenth day of this month is the festival of matzoth": This day requires matzoh, but the festival of Succoth does not require matzoh. For would it not follow otherwise, a fortiori, viz.: If this (Pesach), which does not require a succah (a booth) requires matzoh, then that (Succoth), which does require a succah, how much more so should it require matzoh! It is, therefore, written "this" ("of this month). It is this festival of matzoth, which requires matzoh, but not the festival of Succoth.

(Exodus 23:3) "Do not honor a poor man in his quarrel": Why is this needed? (i.e., it is already written [Leviticus 19:15] "You shall not favor a poor man (in the verdict) and you shall not honor a great one.") (From that verse) I would know only these (i.e., favoring the poor and honoring the rich). Whence do I derive that they ("favoring" and "honoring") are interchangeable, (both applying to the rich and the poor)? From "Do not honor a poor man." Abba Chanan says in the name of R. Elazar: Scripture speaks of leket, shikchah, and peah (i.e., it is "in his quarrel" that you are not to honor a poor man, but you are to honor him by deciding in his favor in instances of doubt as to whether something is leket, shikchah or peah, [which revert to the poor] viz. Leviticus 23:22.)

... [What about all] the praise of Joseph, who exceeded in the honor of his father? And yet he did not enter into him all the time, such that were it not that they came to tell him, "Your father is sick," he would not have known! Rather this is to inform you of his righteousness. For he did not want to be alone with his father, lest he say to him, "How did your brothers act with you?" And [then] he would curse them.... Hence he did not go to his father all the time.)

“What profit is there for man in all his toil that he toils under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3).
“What profit is there for man?” Rabbi Binyamin said: The Sages sought to suppress the book of Kohelet because they found in it matters that tend toward heresy. They said: All of Solomon’s wisdom that he seeks to impart is: “What profit is there for man in all his toil,” but one might [think that he meant] even in the toil of Torah. They then said: He did not say “in all toil,” but rather in his toil; in his toil he does not [profit from his] toil, but he does [profit from his] toil in the toil of Torah.
Rabbi Shmuel ben Rabbi Yitzḥak said: The Sages sought to suppress the book of Kohelet because they found in it matters that tend toward heresy. They said: All of Solomon’s wisdom is this statement: “Rejoice, young man, in your youth; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes” (Ecclesiastes 11:9). Moses said: “Do not stray after your heart and after your eyes” (Numbers 15:39), and Solomon said: “And walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes.” Restraint has been abolished; there is no [divine] justice and no [Divine] Judge. When he said: “But know that for all these, God will bring you to judgment” (Ecclesiastes 11:9), they said: Solomon spoke well.
Rabbi Huna and Rabbi Aḥa [said] in the name of Rabbi Ḥilfai: His toil is under the sun, but there is a treasure for him above the sun. Rabbi Yudan said: Under the sun he does not have [profit], but above the sun he does have [profit].¹⁰For physical toil there is no profit, but for spiritual toil there is profit. Rabbi Levi and the Rabbis, Rabbi Levi said: What benefit do people who amass mitzvot and good deeds have? It is sufficient for them that I shine light upon them.¹¹In the phrase “under [taḥat] the sun,” Rabbi Levi and the Rabbis interpret taḥat in the sense of “in exchange for.” The Rabbis say: What benefit do the righteous who amass mitzvot and good deeds have? It is sufficient for them that I am destined to renew their faces [and cause them to shine] like the sun, as it is written: “But those who love Him are like the sun emerging in its might” (Judges 5:31).
Rabbi Yannai said: The way of the world is that when a person takes a litra¹²480 grams. of meat, how much trouble must he undergo and how much effort must he expend until he has cooked it! But I blow the winds for you, elevate the clouds, cause the rains and the dew to fall, grow plants and ripen them, set a table before each and every one, give each and every person all his needs, and each and every body what it lacks, and all you bring Me is the omer. Rabbi Pinḥas said: The way of the world is that when a person launders his garment during the rainy season, how much trouble must he undergo and how much effort must he expend until he dries it! But I blow the winds for you, elevate the clouds, cause the rains and the dew to fall, grow plants, wash them, ripen them and dry them, and set a table before each and every one, give each and every person all his needs and each and every body what it lacks, and all you bring Me is the omer. Rabbi Berekhya said: I am your chef, and you do not allow Me to taste the dish that I cooked to know what it needs. Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin said in the name of Rabbi Levi: I am your guard and you do not give me from what I guarded.
Rabbi Elazar said: It is written: “They do not say in their heart: Let us now fear the Lord [our God, who gives the early rain and the late rain in due season]” (Jeremiah 5:24). Oh, wicked ones, do you no longer need Me?¹³Once the rain has come. The verse states: “Who preserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest” (Jeremiah 5:24) – He protects us from heatwaves, He protects us from harmful dews. That is what David says: “A bounteous [nedava] rain You will bring, God” (Psalms 68:10). If it requires rain, it is “a gift [nedava],” if it requires dew, “You will bring, God.”¹⁴Dew is ubiquitous and is therefore not called a gift.
Rabbi Ḥiyya taught: It is written: “It shall be seven complete weeks” (Leviticus 23:15) -– when? It is when Yeshua and Shekhanya are not among them.¹⁵When the first day of Nisan falls on Shabbat, the first day of Passover is on Shabbat and Shavuot is on Sunday. Then, the period of the omer is seven complete weeks, and then, the priestly watches of Yeshua and Shekhanya, the ninth and tenth of the twenty-four watches, would not serve during the omer. If the first of Nisan and the first day of Passover are in the middle of the week, Shavuot is in the middle of the week. In that case, because some of the earlier watches would serve only half a week, as on the festivals all the priests would participate in the Temple service, the watches of Yeshua and Shekhanya would serve during the omer period.
Rabbi Abba said: Come and see how much trouble is experienced and how much effort must be expended until they bring the omer, as we learn: How would they perform it? Emissaries of the court would emerge on the eve of the festival [of Passover] and fashion sheaves while [the grain was still] attached to the ground, so that it would be convenient to harvest. All the adjacent towns would assemble there, so that it would be harvested with great fanfare (Menaḥot 65a). Rabbi Levi said: The Holy One blessed be He said to you: ‘Man, you have plowed, sowed, reaped, gathered, and made several piles; if I do not produce for you a little wind, could you winnow? Yet even the fee for that wind you do not give Me.’ That is, “what is the advantage for He who toils for the wind?” (Ecclesiastes 5:15).
Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] made a wedding feast for his son. Rabbi invited all the Rabbis but forgot to invite bar Kappara. [Bar Kappara] went and wrote on the gate of [Rabbi’s] house: After all your rejoicing there is death; and what is the profit in your rejoicing? [Rabbi] said: ‘Who did this to us?’ They said: ‘It was bar Kappara whom, alone, you forgot to invite, and he is disgraced.’ He went and made another feast and he invited all the rabbis and he invited bar Kappara. For each and every dish that [the waiter] would place before them, [bar Kappara] would recite three hundred parables about the fox. [The parables] were very pleasant for them, and the dishes grew cold and they did not taste them. Rabbi would say to his servants: ‘Why are the dishes going in and going out and they are not tasting anything?’ They said to him: ‘Because one of the elders who is sitting there, when the dish is taken in, he says three hundred parables regarding the fox. That is why the dishes are growing cold and they are not eating anything.’ He came to [bar Kappara] and said: ‘Why are you doing this? Let the diners eat.’ [Bar Kappara] said to him: ‘It is so you do not think that I came here because of your feast, but rather, it is because you did not invite me here with my colleagues.’ Is this not what Solomon said: “What profit is there for man [in all his toil that he toils under the sun]” (Ecclesiastes 1:3), since “one generation passes and one generation comes” (Ecclesiastes 1:4).¹⁶As bar Kappara wrote on the gate: What is the profit in all your rejoicing? After they placated each other, they were reconciled. Abba bar Kappara said to Rabbi: ‘If, in this world, which is not yours, the Holy One blessed be He granted you serenity, in the World to Come, which is entirely yours, all the more so.’
Rabbi Bena’a said, the Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘My children, know what is the difference between Me and you.’ What is written?¹⁷With regard to the manna that God provided for the children of Israel. “An omer for a person; according to the number of your people…” (Exodus 16:16). But all of you give one omer, and not an omer of wheat, but rather of barley. Nevertheless, be vigilant to bring it at its appointed time; therefore, Moses cautions the children of Israel and says to them: “You shall bring the omer…” (Leviticus 23:10).

“What profit is there for man in all his toil that he toils under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3).
“What profit is there for man?” Rabbi Binyamin said: The Sages sought to suppress the book of Kohelet because they found in it matters that tend toward heresy. They said: All of Solomon’s wisdom that he seeks to impart is: “What profit is there for man in all his toil,” but one might [think that he meant] even in the toil of Torah. They then said: He did not say “in all toil,” but rather in his toil; in his toil he does not [profit from his] toil, but he does [profit from his] toil in the toil of Torah.
Rabbi Shmuel ben Rabbi Yitzḥak said: The Sages sought to suppress the book of Kohelet because they found in it matters that tend toward heresy. They said: All of Solomon’s wisdom is this statement: “Rejoice, young man, in your youth; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes” (Ecclesiastes 11:9). Moses said: “Do not stray after your heart and after your eyes” (Numbers 15:39), and Solomon said: “And walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes.” Restraint has been abolished; there is no [divine] justice and no [Divine] Judge. When he said: “But know that for all these, God will bring you to judgment” (Ecclesiastes 11:9), they said: Solomon spoke well.
Rabbi Huna and Rabbi Aḥa [said] in the name of Rabbi Ḥilfai: His toil is under the sun, but there is a treasure for him above the sun. Rabbi Yudan said: Under the sun he does not have [profit], but above the sun he does have [profit].¹⁰For physical toil there is no profit, but for spiritual toil there is profit. Rabbi Levi and the Rabbis, Rabbi Levi said: What benefit do people who amass mitzvot and good deeds have? It is sufficient for them that I shine light upon them.¹¹In the phrase “under [taḥat] the sun,” Rabbi Levi and the Rabbis interpret taḥat in the sense of “in exchange for.” The Rabbis say: What benefit do the righteous who amass mitzvot and good deeds have? It is sufficient for them that I am destined to renew their faces [and cause them to shine] like the sun, as it is written: “But those who love Him are like the sun emerging in its might” (Judges 5:31).
Rabbi Yannai said: The way of the world is that when a person takes a litra¹²480 grams. of meat, how much trouble must he undergo and how much effort must he expend until he has cooked it! But I blow the winds for you, elevate the clouds, cause the rains and the dew to fall, grow plants and ripen them, set a table before each and every one, give each and every person all his needs, and each and every body what it lacks, and all you bring Me is the omer. Rabbi Pinḥas said: The way of the world is that when a person launders his garment during the rainy season, how much trouble must he undergo and how much effort must he expend until he dries it! But I blow the winds for you, elevate the clouds, cause the rains and the dew to fall, grow plants, wash them, ripen them and dry them, and set a table before each and every one, give each and every person all his needs and each and every body what it lacks, and all you bring Me is the omer. Rabbi Berekhya said: I am your chef, and you do not allow Me to taste the dish that I cooked to know what it needs. Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin said in the name of Rabbi Levi: I am your guard and you do not give me from what I guarded.
Rabbi Elazar said: It is written: “They do not say in their heart: Let us now fear the Lord [our God, who gives the early rain and the late rain in due season]” (Jeremiah 5:24). Oh, wicked ones, do you no longer need Me?¹³Once the rain has come. The verse states: “Who preserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest” (Jeremiah 5:24) – He protects us from heatwaves, He protects us from harmful dews. That is what David says: “A bounteous [nedava] rain You will bring, God” (Psalms 68:10). If it requires rain, it is “a gift [nedava],” if it requires dew, “You will bring, God.”¹⁴Dew is ubiquitous and is therefore not called a gift.
Rabbi Ḥiyya taught: It is written: “It shall be seven complete weeks” (Leviticus 23:15) -– when? It is when Yeshua and Shekhanya are not among them.¹⁵When the first day of Nisan falls on Shabbat, the first day of Passover is on Shabbat and Shavuot is on Sunday. Then, the period of the omer is seven complete weeks, and then, the priestly watches of Yeshua and Shekhanya, the ninth and tenth of the twenty-four watches, would not serve during the omer. If the first of Nisan and the first day of Passover are in the middle of the week, Shavuot is in the middle of the week. In that case, because some of the earlier watches would serve only half a week, as on the festivals all the priests would participate in the Temple service, the watches of Yeshua and Shekhanya would serve during the omer period.
Rabbi Abba said: Come and see how much trouble is experienced and how much effort must be expended until they bring the omer, as we learn: How would they perform it? Emissaries of the court would emerge on the eve of the festival [of Passover] and fashion sheaves while [the grain was still] attached to the ground, so that it would be convenient to harvest. All the adjacent towns would assemble there, so that it would be harvested with great fanfare (Menaḥot 65a). Rabbi Levi said: The Holy One blessed be He said to you: ‘Man, you have plowed, sowed, reaped, gathered, and made several piles; if I do not produce for you a little wind, could you winnow? Yet even the fee for that wind you do not give Me.’ That is, “what is the advantage for He who toils for the wind?” (Ecclesiastes 5:15).
Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] made a wedding feast for his son. Rabbi invited all the Rabbis but forgot to invite bar Kappara. [Bar Kappara] went and wrote on the gate of [Rabbi’s] house: After all your rejoicing there is death; and what is the profit in your rejoicing? [Rabbi] said: ‘Who did this to us?’ They said: ‘It was bar Kappara whom, alone, you forgot to invite, and he is disgraced.’ He went and made another feast and he invited all the rabbis and he invited bar Kappara. For each and every dish that [the waiter] would place before them, [bar Kappara] would recite three hundred parables about the fox. [The parables] were very pleasant for them, and the dishes grew cold and they did not taste them. Rabbi would say to his servants: ‘Why are the dishes going in and going out and they are not tasting anything?’ They said to him: ‘Because one of the elders who is sitting there, when the dish is taken in, he says three hundred parables regarding the fox. That is why the dishes are growing cold and they are not eating anything.’ He came to [bar Kappara] and said: ‘Why are you doing this? Let the diners eat.’ [Bar Kappara] said to him: ‘It is so you do not think that I came here because of your feast, but rather, it is because you did not invite me here with my colleagues.’ Is this not what Solomon said: “What profit is there for man [in all his toil that he toils under the sun]” (Ecclesiastes 1:3), since “one generation passes and one generation comes” (Ecclesiastes 1:4).¹⁶As bar Kappara wrote on the gate: What is the profit in all your rejoicing? After they placated each other, they were reconciled. Abba bar Kappara said to Rabbi: ‘If, in this world, which is not yours, the Holy One blessed be He granted you serenity, in the World to Come, which is entirely yours, all the more so.’
Rabbi Bena’a said, the Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘My children, know what is the difference between Me and you.’ What is written?¹⁷With regard to the manna that God provided for the children of Israel. “An omer for a person; according to the number of your people…” (Exodus 16:16). But all of you give one omer, and not an omer of wheat, but rather of barley. Nevertheless, be vigilant to bring it at its appointed time; therefore, Moses cautions the children of Israel and says to them: “You shall bring the omer…” (Leviticus 23:10).

Rabbi Aḥa ben Rabbi Ze’eira said another: Just as this apple tree produces its blossom before its leaves, so too, Israel put performance before hearing, as it is stated: “We will perform and we will heed [nishma]” (Exodus 24:7).³⁵Although translated here as “heed,” the term nishma can be translated “hear.” The point here is that Israel committed to following God’s commands even before hearing what they were.
Rabbi Azarya said two [statements]: Just as the apple tree produces is ripened fruit only in Sivan, so too, Israel emitted a good fragrance only in Sivan.³⁶Sivan is the month in which Israel received the Torah. Rabbi Azarya said another: Just as this apple tree, from the time it produces its blossom until it produces ripened fruit is fifty days, so too, from the time that Israel departed from Egypt until they received the Torah it was fifty days. When did they receive it? It was “in the third month from the departure of the children of Israel” (Exodus 19:1).
Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon said two [statements]: Just as this apple, you give an isar for it³⁷An isar is a coin of relatively little value. and you can smell its fragrances numerous times, so too, Moses said to Israel: ‘If you wish to be redeemed, you can be redeemed with a simple matter.’ [This is analogous] to one who was injured in his legs and he circulated among all the doctors to be cured, but he was not cured. One came and said to him: ‘If you seek to be cured, you can be cured with a simple matter, attach animal dung to it.’ So too, Moses said to Israel: ‘If you wish to be redeemed, you can be redeemed with a simple matter: “You shall take a bundle of hyssop and dip”’ (Exodus 12:22). They said to him: ‘Moses our master, this bundle of hyssop, how much it its value, four ma’a or five ma’a?’³⁸It is of little monetary value. He said to them: ‘Even if it is one [ma’a], and it will cause you to acquire the plunder of Egypt, the plunder at the sea, the plunder of Siḥon and Og, and the plunder of the thirty-one kings. Regarding a palm branch,³⁹The reference is to the four species taken on Sukkot. on which a person is required to expend much money and it is associated with many mitzvot, all the more so.’ Therefore, Moses cautions Israel: “You shall take for you on the first day” (Leviticus 23:40).

3) "and you reap its harvest … the first of your harvest": It must be the first of all that is harvested. I might think, even from parched fields requiring irrigation and from the valleys; it is, therefore, written "the first of your harvest," and not the above.

3) R. Yehudah b. Betheira says: "from the morrow of the Sabbath": from the morrow of the festival. I might think, from the morrow of the Sabbath of creation. "Seven weeks shall you count for yourself" (Devarim 16:9) — a count which depends upon the determination (of the advent of the festivals) by beth-din, to exclude the Sabbath of creation, which is not dependent upon (the count of beth-din, its advent being known to all men.

3) "first-fruits (bikkurim) to the L–rd": R. Shimon says: I might think this is an individual offering, but (this is negated by) its being written (Vayikra 23:14): "And you shall bring the omer the first grain of your harvest, to the Cohein." If you say that this is an individual offering, and that is a communal offering, this cannot be. For if this is bikkurim to the L–rd," then that is not the first of the harvest; and if that is the first of the harvest, then this is not "bikkurim" to the L–rd." (Note:) Things omitted there (in connection with the omer offering [e.g., "lifting" and the permitting of chadash (the new crop)] are written here. (See Dibbura d'Nedavah Chapter 15:2)

3) R. Yehudah b. Betheira says: "from the morrow of the Sabbath": from the morrow of the festival. I might think, from the morrow of the Sabbath of creation. "Seven weeks shall you count for yourself" (Devarim 16:9) — a count which depends upon the determination (of the advent of the festivals) by beth-din, to exclude the Sabbath of creation, which is not dependent upon (the count of beth-din, its advent being known to all men.

3) "first-fruits (bikkurim) to the L–rd": R. Shimon says: I might think this is an individual offering, but (this is negated by) its being written (Vayikra 23:14): "And you shall bring the omer the first grain of your harvest, to the Cohein." If you say that this is an individual offering, and that is a communal offering, this cannot be. For if this is bikkurim to the L–rd," then that is not the first of the harvest; and if that is the first of the harvest, then this is not "bikkurim" to the L–rd." (Note:) Things omitted there (in connection with the omer offering [e.g., "lifting" and the permitting of chadash (the new crop)] are written here. (See Dibbura d'Nedavah Chapter 15:2)

3) If the year should not have been intercalated, and they intercalated it perforce or unwittingly or mistakenly — Whence is it derived that it is (nevertheless) intercalated? From (Vayikra 23:9) ("These are the festivals of the L–rd, callings of holiness, which you shall call (them) in their times": "them" — even unwittingly; "them" — even mistakenly; "them" — even perforce.

4) R. Akiva said to him: If he does not blow for Kingships, why mention it? Rather, he says Patriarchs, Strengths, and Holiness of the Name, and he includes Kingships in the Holiness of the day, and he blows; Shofaroth, and he blows, and then the service, thanksgiving, and the priestly blessing.

3) (Vayikra 23:28) ("And all work you shall not do on this self-same day; for it is a day of atonement to atone for you before the L–rd your G d.") "And all work you shall not do on this self-same day": This is the exhortation against labor (on Yom Kippur). (Vayikra 23:30) "And every soul that shall do any labor on this self-same day, I shall make that soul go lost from the midst of its people.": This is the punishment against labor.

3) If they sanctified it perforce or unwittingly or mistakenly, whence is it derived that it is (nevertheless) sanctified? From which you shall call (them) in their times. "them" — even mistakenly; them — even perforce.

3) (Vayikra 23:28) ("And all work you shall not do on this self-same day; for it is a day of atonement to atone for you before the L–rd your G d.") "And all work you shall not do on this self-same day": This is the exhortation against labor (on Yom Kippur). (Vayikra 23:30) "And every soul that shall do any labor on this self-same day, I shall make that soul go lost from the midst of its people.": This is the punishment against labor.

3) "the festival of Succoth, seven days to the L–rd": I might think that the chagigah (the festival offering) and the succah should be for the L–rd; it is, therefore, written (Devarim 16:13) "The festival of Succoth should you make for yourselves seven days." If (only) the latter (were written), I would think that both the chagigah and the succah reverted to the man; it is, therefore, written "the festival of Succoth, seven days to the L–rd." How is this to be reconciled? The chagigah, to the L–rd; the succah, to the man.

3) I might think that if one festival passed and he did not bring them, he transgresses (Devarim 23:22) "You shall not delay (to pay it.") It is, therefore, written (Bamidbar 29:29) "These shall you offer to the L–rd on your festivals." He does not transgress "You shall not delay" until all the (three) festivals of the year have passed. R. Shimon says: Three consecutive festivals, with the festival of matzoth first.

3) If the year should not have been intercalated, and they intercalated it perforce or unwittingly or mistakenly — Whence is it derived that it is (nevertheless) intercalated? From (Vayikra 23:9) ("These are the festivals of the L–rd, callings of holiness, which you shall call (them) in their times": "them" — even unwittingly; "them" — even mistakenly; "them" — even perforce.

3) "on the first day": and not on the first night. "on the first day": and even on the Sabbath. "on the first day": The Sabbath is overridden only for the first day of the festival alone.

3) And whence is it derived that if one did not offer the festival offering on the first day of the festival, he may do so on all the remaining days and on the last festival days? From "on the seventh month shall you celebrate" (i.e., offer). I might think that if he did not offer it on the festival he could offer it after the festival"; it is, therefore, written "shall you celebrate it" (the festival) — On the festival you celebrate, and you do not celebrate outside of it.

3) "the festival of matzoth to the L–rd, seven days, etc." What is the intent of this? Because it is written (Devarim 16:8) "Six days shall you eat matzoth and on the seventh day it is a cessation (atzereth) for the L–rd" — The seventh day was included in the general (mitzvah of matzoh, viz.: [Shemoth 13:6] "Seven days shall you eat matzoth; and it left that general category to serve as a paradigm, viz.: Just as (the eating of matzoth on) the seventh day is permitted (and not obligatory), so, all (of the days) are permitted (in this regard, and not obligatory.) I might think that (the eating of matzoth on) the first night, too, is permitted (and not obligatory); it is, therefore, written (Devarim 16:3) "Upon it shall you eat matzoth" — Scripture makes it mandatory.

3) If the year should not have been intercalated, and they intercalated it perforce or unwittingly or mistakenly — Whence is it derived that it is (nevertheless) intercalated? From (Vayikra 23:9) ("These are the festivals of the L–rd, callings of holiness, which you shall call (them) in their times": "them" — even unwittingly; "them" — even mistakenly; "them" — even perforce.

(Fol. 32) Our Rabbis were taught: "Whence do we learn that we are to recite [in the Eighteen Benedictions], the section of Aboth (the Patriarchs)? It is said (Ps. 29, 5) Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye sons of the Mighty. And whence do we learn that we have to recite the section of Geburoth (the power of God)? It is said (Ib.) Ascribing unto the Lord glory and strength. And whence do we learn that we are to recite the section of the sanctification of His name? It is said (Ib.) Ascribe unto the Lord the glory of His name. And whence do we learn that we should recite the Malchioth, Zichronoth, and Shophroth? Said R. Eliezer: From the following passage (Lev. 23, 24) in which it is written: Ye shall have a Sabbathon, a memorial (Zichron) of blowing cornets, a holy convocation. The word Sabbathon, refers to the consecration of the day; a memorial, refers to the Zichronoth; blowing of cornets, refers to the Shophroth; a holy convocation, means the hallowing of the day in order to prohibit servile work. And whence do we infer that we have to recite Molchiyoth? We are taught in a Baraitha: Rabbi says (Ib.) I am the Lord your God, and immediately follows (Ib. b) In the seventh month, etc.

(Fol. 32) R. Shephatia said again in the name of R. Jochanan: "Whence do we know that we may avail ourselves of a Heavenly voice? It is said (Is. 30, 31) Thine ears shall hear a thing from behind them, saying. When is this true? When one perceives a male voice in town, and a female voice in the country, and also when it says: 'Yea, yea,' or 'Nay, nay' [in double]." Another thing said R. Shephatia in the name of R. Jochanan: "Whoever reads without sweetness, and chants while reading Talmudic lessons, of him says the verse (Ezek. 20, 25) And I also have given unto them laws that are not good and ordinances whereby they could not live." R. Mesharshia raised the following objection: "Shall I say because one cannot sweeten his voice, ordinances whereby they could not live should be applied to him?" Therefore we must say that it refers to what R. Mesharshia said: "If two scholars are in one town, and derive no pleasure in discussing Halacha, to the passage. And ordinances whereby they could not live is applied."

(Lev. 23, 44) And Moses spoke of the festivals of the Lord to the children of Israel; i.e., he told them the merit of reading the portions of the Torah each in its season. Our Rabbis were taught: Moses ordered Israel to discuss and lecture on the subject of the day; the Halachas of Passover on Passover, the Halachas of Pentecost on Pentecost, and the Halachas of Tabernacles on the Feast of Tabernacles.

4) "harvest," and not pulse; "harvest," and not fodder corn. R. Yehudah said: If he began (harvesting) before a third (of its growth), he harvests it and feeds it to beasts, animals, and birds, and he is exempt from leket, shikchah, and peah. R. Shimon says: Even if it had grown a third, he begins to harvest and feeds it to beasts, animals, and birds, and he is exempt from leket, shikchah, and peah, and he must give the tithe. "and you reap its harvest, you shall bring the omer of the first of your harvest to the Cohein": There is no mitzvah of reaping for the Cohein.

4) R. Yossi says: "from the morrow of the Sabbath": from the morrow of the festival. I might think, from the morrow of the Sabbath of creation. Now is it written On the morrow of Sabbath on Pesach? Is it not written only "from the morrow of the Sabbath"? Isn't the entire year filled with Sabbaths? Go and figure which Sabbath is meant! And, furthermore, it is written here "from the morrow of the Sabbath," and, below, (Devarim 16:11), "from the morrow of the (seventh) Sabbath." Just as there, the reference is to a time period (i.e., the end of the seventh week) conjoined with the beginning of a festival (Shavuoth); here, too, the reference is to a time period (the omer) conjoined with the beginning of a festival (Pesach, which begins with the fifteenth day of Nissan).

4) as it is written (Vayikra 23:14): "And bread, and kali, and karmel you shall not eat until this self-same day, until you have brought the offering of your G d." "And if you offer a meal-offering of bikkurim to the L–rd": This is the meal-offering of the omer. From which (grain) does it come? From barley. — But perhaps it comes from wheat! R. Eliezer says (to negate this): It is written here (Vayikra 2:14): "aviv" (grain in the ear), and also in respect to Egypt (Shemoth 9:41). Just as "aviv" in respect to Egypt is barley, so, "aviv" here. R. Akiva says: It is written that the congregation is to bring bikkurim (the omer) on Pesach and that the congregation is to bring bikkurim (the two loaves) on Atzereth (Shavuoth). Just as we find that of that kind (of grain [i.e., wheat]) of which the individual brings his obligatory offering, the congregation brings its obligatory offering (the two loaves) on Atzereth — so, of that kind (i.e., barley), of which the individual brings his obligatory offering (the meal-offering of rancor of the sotah), the congregation is to bring its bikkurim (the omer) on Pesach. From which kind does the individual bring his obligatory offering? From barley. The congregation, too, is to bring its obligatory offering only from barley. An alternate derivation: If you say (that he brings it) of wheat, then the two loaves (which are of wheat) could not be (called) "bikkurim" (first fruits).

4) R. Yossi says: "from the morrow of the Sabbath": from the morrow of the festival. I might think, from the morrow of the Sabbath of creation. Now is it written On the morrow of Sabbath on Pesach? Is it not written only "from the morrow of the Sabbath"? Isn't the entire year filled with Sabbaths? Go and figure which Sabbath is meant! And, furthermore, it is written here "from the morrow of the Sabbath," and, below, (Devarim 16:11), "from the morrow of the (seventh) Sabbath." Just as there, the reference is to a time period (i.e., the end of the seventh week) conjoined with the beginning of a festival (Shavuoth); here, too, the reference is to a time period (the omer) conjoined with the beginning of a festival (Pesach, which begins with the fifteenth day of Nissan).

4) We have learned of terumah that it is one of ten, but I still do not know from how much (flour) he takes each loaf. We derive it by deduction. It is written here (Vayikra 7:13) ("With cakes of) leavened bread," and, elsewhere, in respect to the two loaves, (Vayikra 23:17) "leavened." Just as there, an issaron (of flour) for one loaf; here, too, an issaron for one loaf.

4) (Vayikra 23:18) ("And you shall present with the bread seven unblemished one-year old lambs, and one young bullock, and two rams. They shall be a burnt-offering to the L–rd, with their meal-offering and their drink-offerings, a fire-offering, a sweet savor to the L–rd.)" "and you shall present with the bread": They are required for the bread. "And you shall present with the bread seven unblemished one-year old lambs": lambs, even if there is no bread. These are the words of R. Tarfon. If so, why is "bread" stated? We are hereby taught that the lambs were not ordained until the bread was ordained.

4) I might think that if they intercalated it at night, or one year for (purpose of) the next, for less than a month of for more than a month — I might think that it were intercalated; it is, therefore, written "them (only those halachically proclaimed) … these are My festivals," and not those.

5) Rebbi says: With Kingships he recites the Holiness of the day. What do we find on all days (i.e., on other festivals)? (It is recited in the fourth (blessing); here, too, in the fourth. R. Shimon b. Gamliel says: He recites it with Remembrances. R. Shimon b. Gamliel said: What do we find on all days? (It is recited) in the middle (blessing). Here, too, in the middle. And when they (beth-din) sanctified the year in Usha, on the first day R. Shimon, the son of R. Yochanan b. Beroka arose and declared in accordance with R. Yochanan b. Nuri. R. Shimon b. Gamliel said: We did not follow this practice in Yavneh. On the second day, Chanania the son of R. Yossi Haglili arose and declared in accordance with R. Akiva, whereupon R. Shimon b. Gamliel said: This was our practice in Yavneh.

4) (Vayikra 23:29) "For every soul which will not be afflicted on this self-same day will be cut off from its people." This is the punishment for (non-) application. (Vayikra 23:30) "I shall make that soul go lost": What is the intent of this? (i.e., What do we learn from this equivalence between kareth ["cutting-off"] and "aveidah" ["going lost"]?) Because "kareth" is mentioned in every place and I do not know what it is, "I shall make that soul go lost" indicates that "kareth" refers to complete destruction (and not merely to the cutting off of the soul from the body.) And whence is it derived that eating, drinking, washing, anointing, cohabitation, and shodding are forbidden on Yom Kippur? From (Vayikra 23:32) "A Sabbath of resting … and you shall afflict" (The connotation is extension of affliction). I might then think that all of these are forbidden on the Sabbath of creation (i.e., Saturday, which is also referred to as "a Sabbath of resting"); it is, therefore, written "A Sabbath of resting it (Yom Kippur) shall be for you and you shall afflict, etc." "It" is forbidden in all (of these things), and not the Sabbath of creation.

4) If they sanctified it before its time or one day after its intercalation, I might think that it were sanctified; it is, therefore, written "these are the festivals." And not those.

4) (Vayikra 23:29) "For every soul which will not be afflicted on this self-same day will be cut off from its people." This is the punishment for (non-) application. (Vayikra 23:30) "I shall make that soul go lost": What is the intent of this? (i.e., What do we learn from this equivalence between kareth ["cutting-off"] and "aveidah" ["going lost"]?) Because "kareth" is mentioned in every place and I do not know what it is, "I shall make that soul go lost" indicates that "kareth" refers to complete destruction (and not merely to the cutting off of the soul from the body.) And whence is it derived that eating, drinking, washing, anointing, cohabitation, and shodding are forbidden on Yom Kippur? From (Vayikra 23:32) "A Sabbath of resting … and you shall afflict" (The connotation is extension of affliction). I might then think that all of these are forbidden on the Sabbath of creation (i.e., Saturday, which is also referred to as "a Sabbath of resting"); it is, therefore, written "A Sabbath of resting it (Yom Kippur) shall be for you and you shall afflict, etc." "It" is forbidden in all (of these things), and not the Sabbath of creation.

4) (Vayikra 23:29) "For every soul which will not be afflicted on this self-same day will be cut off from its people." This is the punishment for (non-) application. (Vayikra 23:30) "I shall make that soul go lost": What is the intent of this? (i.e., What do we learn from this equivalence between kareth ["cutting-off"] and "aveidah" ["going lost"]?) Because "kareth" is mentioned in every place and I do not know what it is, "I shall make that soul go lost" indicates that "kareth" refers to complete destruction (and not merely to the cutting off of the soul from the body.) And whence is it derived that eating, drinking, washing, anointing, cohabitation, and shodding are forbidden on Yom Kippur? From (Vayikra 23:32) "A Sabbath of resting … and you shall afflict" (The connotation is extension of affliction). I might then think that all of these are forbidden on the Sabbath of creation (i.e., Saturday, which is also referred to as "a Sabbath of resting"); it is, therefore, written "A Sabbath of resting it (Yom Kippur) shall be for you and you shall afflict, etc." "It" is forbidden in all (of these things), and not the Sabbath of creation.

4) (Vayikra 23:35) "On the first day is a holy calling" — Sanctify it and (Vayikra 23:36) "On the eighth day is a holy calling" — Sanctify it. How do you sanctify it? With (special) food and drink and with fresh clothing.

4) How so? It he vowed before Pesach, (he does not transgress) until Pesach, Shavuoth, and Succoth have passed. If he vowed before Shavuoth, (he does transgress) with Shavuoth, Succoth, Pesach, Shavuoth, and Succoth have passed. If he vowed before Succoth, he does not transgress until Succoth, Pesach, Shavuoth, and Succoth have passed.

4) (Vayikra 23:35) "On the first day is a holy calling" — Sanctify it and (Vayikra 23:36) "On the eighth day is a holy calling" — Sanctify it. How do you sanctify it? With (special) food and drink and with fresh clothing.

4) "the fruit of a tree": the taste of whose trunk and whose fruit is the same — an ethrog. Ben Azzai says "hadar" — "hadar" ("that lives"), something that lives on its tree (i.e., that is produced) from year to year.

4) (Vayikra 23:42) ("In succoth shall you sit seven days; every citizen in Israel shall sit in succoth.") "In succoth": and not in a succah under a house, and not in a succah under a tree, and not in a succah under a succah. R. Yehudah said: If the upper succah is not fit for tenancy, the lower succah is kasher.

4) This tells me only of the time that the Temple existed. Whence do I derive the same for these days, when the Temple does not exist (and there is no Paschal lamb)? From (Shemoth 12:18) "In the evening you shall eat matzoth."

5) R. Shimon b. Elazar says: In one place (Devarim 16:8) it is written "Six days shall you eat matzoth," and, in another, (Shemoth 12:15) "Seven days shall you eat matzoth"! How is this to be resolved? Matzoh which cannot eat seven days from the new grain, (permission to eat of the new grain [chadash] beginning with the bringing of the omer on the second day of the festival), you can eat, seven from the old grain and six from the new. How, then, must I understand "from the morrow of the Sabbath? As from the morrow of the festival.

5) (Vayikra 23:11) ("And he shall lift the omer before the L–rd as is acceptable to you; on the morrow of the Sabbath the Cohein shall lift it.") "And he shall lift the omer before the L–rd": It has three names: "the omer of the first," "the omer of lifting"; "omer," its (basic) name. "as is acceptable to you": The community is not compelled (to do a mitzvah) perforce. "on the morrow of the Sabbath": the morrow of (the first day of) the festival (of Pesach). "the Cohein shall lift it": a prototype (binyan av) for all "liftings" to be done by the Cohein.

5) Or, go in this direction. It is written here (Vayikra 23:13) "challoth," and, in respect to the show-bread, (Vayikra 24:5) "challoth." Just as there, two esronim for one challah, here, too, two esronim for one challah!

5) R. Shimon b. Elazar says: In one place (Devarim 16:8) it is written "Six days shall you eat matzoth," and, in another, (Shemoth 12:15) "Seven days shall you eat matzoth"! How is this to be resolved? Matzoh which cannot eat seven days from the new grain, (permission to eat of the new grain [chadash] beginning with the bringing of the omer on the second day of the festival), you can eat, seven from the old grain and six from the new. How, then, must I understand "from the morrow of the Sabbath? As from the morrow of the festival.

5) "and their drink offerings, a fire-offering, a sweet savor to the L–rd": Scripture (here) speaks in short (without detailing specific measurements).

5) And whence is it derived that the year is intercalated to answer some special need? From "which you shall call (them) in their times."

6) And whence is it derived that it (the blowing) is with a shofar? From (Vayikra 25:9) "And you shall cause to pass a shofar of teruah in the seventh month on the tenth day of the month. On Yom Kippur, etc." Let "in the seventh month" not be written (i.e., it is well known). Why is it written? (To teach that) the teruah of the seventh month (i.e., that of Rosh Hashanah) is like this one. Just as this is with a shofar, so, the teruah of Rosh Hashanah.

5) I might think that just as they intercalate the year and the month to answer some special need, so they can sanctify the month to answer some special need. It is, therefore, written (Shemoth 12:2) "This month is for you" — the month is to be followed.

5) (Vayikra 23:32) ("and you shall afflict your souls on the ninth day of the month in the evening; from evening until evening shall you rest your resting.") I might think that he should fast on the ninth day itself; it is, therefore, written "in the evening." If "in the evening," I might think when it became dark; it is, therefore, written "and you shall afflict your souls "on the ninth." How is this to be resolved? He begins fasting (on the ninth) when it is still light, adding "from the profane to the holy." This tells me (that we add) only before. Whence do we derive the same ("adding") for after? From "from evening until evening."

5) (Vayikra 23:35) "And "all manner of work you shall not do. (Vayikra 23:36) Seven days, etc.": We are hereby (by the juxtaposition) taught that labor is forbidden on the intermediate days of the festival.

5) (Vayikra 23:8) "And you shall present a fire-offering to the L–rd for seven days." Whence is it derived that if you have no bullocks, bring rams; if you have no rams, bring sheep; if you have no clean ones, bring unclean ones? From "And you shall present a fire-offering to the L–rd" — in any event.

5) (Vayikra 23:35) "And "all manner of work you shall not do. (Vayikra 23:36) Seven days, etc.": We are hereby (by the juxtaposition) taught that labor is forbidden on the intermediate days of the festival.

5) (Vayikra 23:39) ("But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you gather the produce of the land, you shall calibrate the festival of the L–rd seven days; on the first day a resting and on the eighth day a resting.") Beth Shammai say: I might think that the chagigah (olath re'iah [burnt-offering of "visitation"]) could be offered on the festival (itself); it is, therefore, written "But" (a term of exclusion). On the moed (the intermediate days of the festival) you offer the chagigah, but not on the festival (itself). Beth Hillel say: I might think that the chagigah could be offered on the Sabbath; it is, therefore, written "But." On the festival you may offer the chagigah, but not on the Sabbath.

5) "and branches (kapoth) of date-palms": R. Tarfon says "kafuth" ("pressed together"). If they are separated they are to be pressed together.

5) "shall you sit": similar to "shall you dwell" — whence it was ruled: He eats in the succah and drinks in the succah and walks in the succah and brings his vessels to the succah. ("seven) days": This tells me only of days. Whence do I derive nights (for inclusion)? It follows thus: "seven" is written here, and also in respect to the tent of meeting (Vayikra 8:35 "And at the door of the tent of meeting you shall sit day and night"). Just as there nights were equated with days, so, here.

5) (Vayikra 23:8) "And you shall present a fire-offering to the L–rd for seven days." Whence is it derived that if you have no bullocks, bring rams; if you have no rams, bring sheep; if you have no clean ones, bring unclean ones? From "And you shall present a fire-offering to the L–rd" — in any event.

R. Simeon ben Johay said:¹⁶See Gen. R. 1:13. Woe to blasphemers who take the name of the Holy One lightly, for one should not say: To the LORD an offering, to the LORD a burnt offering. Rather, < use the biblical wording > (as in Lev. 1:2): WHEN ONE OF YOU PRESENTS AN OFFERING TO THE LORD; (or as in Numb. 8:12): A SIN OFFERING < … > TO THE LORD; (or as in Lev. 23:18; Numb. 8:12; 28:11, 19; 29:8; Jud. 13:16; etc.): A BURNT OFFERING TO THE LORD; (or as in Gen. 4:3; Is. 66:20; Ezek. 46:14; Mal. 2:12; II Chron. 33:23): A MEAL OFFERING TO THE LORD. Learn (from the Hebrew word order in Gen. 1:1): IN THE BEGINNING CREATED, and after that, GOD. When he mentions his creation,¹⁷Gk.: ktisma. < it is only > afterwards < that > he mentions his name.

(Ib. b) We are taught: R. Eliezer says: "A man shall do nothing else on a holy day, but either eat and drink or sit and study." R. Joshua says: "A man must divide the holy day, one-half to be spent in eating and drinking, and the other half [in learning] at the house of study." "Both," said R. Jochanan, "make their deductions from the same passages. One passage says (Deu. 16, 8) A solemn assembly to the Lord, thy God, and another passage says (Num. 29, 35) 'Have ye' a solemn assembly. [How can both of these passages be reconciled? If it is to be solemn to 'the Lord,' then why say 'have ye'?] R. Eliezer, therefore, is of the opinion that this intends to suggest a celebration either for God or for yourself;" but R. Joshua is of the opinion that it means to divide the day, one-half for God and one-half for yourself." R. Eliezer said: "All agree that on the Shebouth festival, a certain part should also be devoted for yourself, because it is the day on which the Torah was given [hence we ought to rejoice on that occasion]." Rabba said: "All agree that the Sabbath should also be devoted for yourself. The reason of it is (Is. 58, 13) And thou shalt call the Sabbath rejoicing." R. Joseph said: "All agree that Purim should also be devoted for yourself; explanation is found in (Esther 9, 22) days of feasts and rejoicing." Mar, the son of Rabina, used to fast the whole year round except on Shebuoth (Feast of Weeks), Purim (Feast of Esther) and the day preceding Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement); on Shebuoth, being the day Israel received the Torah; Purim, concerning which it is written (Est. 9, 22) … days of feast and rejoicing; the day preceding Yom Kippur, because R. Chiya b. Rab, of Difthi, recited: (Lev. 23, 32) And ye shall afflict yourselves on the ninth day of the month. Do we fast on the ninth day? Behold it is only on the tenth that we fast! But this means to teach us that whoever eats and drinks on the ninth. Scripture accounts to his credit, as though he had fasted on both the ninth and tenth days.

6) — But, their ("strategic") common factor might be that they are similar in being offered by both rich and poor and requiring "touching" (as opposed to the meal-offering of a sinner, which is offered by a poor man only); it is, therefore, written: "the (implying "any") meal-offering," to indicate both a gift meal-offering and the meal-offering of a sinner as requiring "touching." R. Shimon says: "And you shall bring" — to include the meal-offering of the omer as requiring "touching," it being written (Ibid. 23:10): "And you shall bring the omer, the first of your harvest to the Cohein"; "and he shall present it" — to include the meal-offering of the sotah as requiring "touching," it being written (Bamidbar 5:25): "And he shall present it (the sotah's meal-offering) to the altar."

6) (Vayikra 23:12) ("And you shall offer, on the day that you lift the omer, an unblemished lamb in its first year as a burnt-offering to the L–rd.") "and you shall offer on the day … a one-year old lamb": even if there be no omer; "omer": even if there be no lamb. "on the day that you lift": Lifting is only in the daytime. "an unblemished lamb in its first year as a burnt-offering to the L–rd" not in a year by calendar count.

6) "from the day that you bring": you shall count. I might think that he could bring (the omer) and count, and harvest whenever he wished; it is, therefore, written (Devarim 16:9) "from the time you put the sickle to the standing grain you shall begin to count. If "from the time you put the sickle," I might think that one could harvest and count, and bring the omer whenever he liked; it is, therefore, written "from the day that you bring … shall you count." If from the day that you bring. "If from the day that you bring," I might think that he must harvest and count and bring in the daytime. It is, therefore, written "seven complete Sabbaths shall they be." When are they "complete"? When he begins at night. I might then think that he harvests and brings and counts at night. It is, therefore, written "from the day that you bring." How is this realized? The harvesting and counting is at night, and the bringing in the daytime.

6) (Vayikra 23:19) ("And you shall offer one kid of the goats as a sin-offering and two one-year old lambs as a sacrifice of peace-offerings.") "And you shall offer one kid of the goats as a sin-offering": I might think that the seven lambs and the kid of the goats mentioned in Bamidbar (Bamidbar 28:27, Bamidbar 28:29) are the same as those mentioned here. But when you come to bullocks and rams, you find that they are not so. (For here it is written "one year bullock and two rams," and there (Bamidbar 28:27) "two young bullocks" and "one ram.") But these are sacrificed because of the bread, and the others, because of the (festival) day.

6) I might think that just as the year is intercalated to answer some special need, so, it is intercalated because of tumah (of the populace); it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:5) "In the first month … it is Pesach" — Let the first month not pass without Pesach.

7) And whence is it derived that there is a plain blast (i.e., a single, uninterrupted blast [tekiah]) before it? (i.e., before the teruah ("broken" blasts)? From: "And you shall cause to pass (connoting a single "passing") a shofar of teruah." And whence is it derived that there is a plain blast after it? From (the repetition, Vayikra 25:9) "shall you cause to pass a shofar." This tells me only of (the blowing of the shofar on) the Jubilee year (see Vayikra 25:10) Whence do I derive the same for Rosh Hashanah? From "And you shall cause to pass a shofar of teruah in the seventh month on the tenth day of the month. On Yom Kippur, etc. Let "in the seventh month" not be written (i.e., it is well known). Why is it written? (To teach that the teruah of the seventh month (i.e., that of Rosh Hashanah) is like this one. Just as this one — a plain blast before and a plain blast after — so, Rosh Hashanah, a plain blast before and a plain blast after.

6) I might think that if two days were needed (for intercalation of the month instead of one), they could be added; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:6) ("And on the fifteenth) day of this month (is the festival of matzoth") — only one day can be added. And whence is it derived that the Sabbath may be desecrated (by the messengers to come to beth-din and) to testify about them? From "These are the festivals of the L–rd (which you shall call in their [proper] times.")

6) This tells me only of (adding on) Yom Kippur. Whence do I derive (the same for) the Sabbath of creation? From (the redundant) "shall you rest." Whence do we derive (the same for) the festivals? From "your resting." Wherever there is "resting" you add from the profane to the holy, both before and after.

6) I might think that crucial work is also forbidden on them; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:36) "It (the eighth day) (is a select day"). Crucial work is forbidden on it, and not on the intermediate days of the festival. These are the words of R. Yossi Haglili.

6) I might think that crucial work is also forbidden on them; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:36) "It (the eighth day) (is a select day"). Crucial work is forbidden on it, and not on the intermediate days of the festival. These are the words of R. Yossi Haglili.

6) "when you gather the produce of the land": Intercalate the year (if necessary) so that the festival occur when you gather the fruits.

6) I might think that just as the year is intercalated to answer some special need, so, it is intercalated because of tumah (of the populace); it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:5) "In the first month … it is Pesach" — Let the first month not pass without Pesach.

6) "and a branch of a plaited tree": (the connotation is) one whose leaves cover its wood — a hadas. "and willows of the brook": This tells me only of (willows) of the brook. Whence do I derive (for inclusion) those of the mountains and of naturally watered fields? From "and willows of the brook." Abba Shaul says: "willows of the brook" — two, one for the lulav (to be tied together with it) and one for the Temple (with which to circle the altar).

6) But why not go in this direction? "seven" is written here, and "seven" is written in respect to lulav. Just as with lulav, nights were not equated with days, here, too, nights should not be equated with days!

6) I might think that just as the year is intercalated to answer some special need, so, it is intercalated because of tumah (of the populace); it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:5) "In the first month … it is Pesach" — Let the first month not pass without Pesach.

6) I might think that if two days were needed (for intercalation of the month instead of one), they could be added; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:6) ("And on the fifteenth) day of this month (is the festival of matzoth") — only one day can be added. And whence is it derived that the Sabbath may be desecrated (by the messengers to come to beth-din and) to testify about them? From "These are the festivals of the L–rd (which you shall call in their [proper] times.")

“In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Aḥashverosh, he had cast a pur, that is, the lot, before Haman for each day and for each month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar” (Esther 3:7).
“In the first month, that is, the month Nisan” – it is taught: When the wicked Haman sought to eliminate Israel, he said: ‘How can I gain control over them? I will cast lots.’ The Holy Spirit cried out: “Over My people they cast lots” (Joel 4:3). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Wicked one son of wicked one, your lot is drawn to be hanged.’ “He cast a pur, that is [hu],¹¹The midrash is claiming that pronoun hu refers to Haman: He cast a pur; upon him was the lot. the lot” – upon him the lot fell. Why? “Indeed, the rod of wickedness will not rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous extend their hands for wrongdoing” (Psalms 125:3).
First, he cast a lot for the days, as it is stated: “for each day.” He cast the lot on Sunday. Its [Sunday’s] angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The heavens and the earth were created on me [my day], and You said: “truly My covenant is day and night, have I not set the statutes of heaven and earth?” (Jeremiah 33:25). There is a covenant in their flesh, as it is written: “You shall observe My covenant [you and your descendants that are after you for their generations…circumcise for yourselves every male]” (Genesis 17:9–10), and it is written: “My covenant shall be in your flesh” (Genesis 17:13). And there is a covenant in their mouths, that is the Torah, as it is written: “The book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth” (Joshua 1:8). And You said: “If the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below probed…”( Jeremiah 31:37) and it is written: “[when these laws should ever be annulled before Me, says the Lord,] so too will the descendants of Israel cease from being a nation before Me all the days” (Jeremiah 31:35), and this wicked one seeks to eliminate them? Uproot the heavens and the earth first, and then annihilate them.’
He cast the lot on Monday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: On the second day you separated the upper waters from the lower waters, and likewise, Israel is separated from the nations. That is what is written: “I have distinguished you from the peoples to be Mine” (Leviticus 20:26), and this wicked one wants to eliminate them? Overturn the upper and the lower worlds and then annihilate them.’
He cast the lot and it fell on Tuesday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The third day – on it, seeds were created, from which Israel separates teruma and tithes, and on it trees were created, with which Israel lauds you. That is what is written: “You shall take for you on the first day: The fruit of a pleasant tree…”¹²The verse refers to the four species; a palm branch, an etrog, myrtle branches and willow branches, that are taken on Sukkot. (Leviticus 23:40). On it the waters were gathered into the sea [during Creation], and the sea split into twelve segments for Israel’s sake. Now, if Israel is eradicated, how do we exist?’
He cast the lot on Wednesday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The fourth day – on it the lights were created to provide light for Israel’s use; that is what is written: “Nations will walk by your light and kings by the aura of your shining” (Isaiah 60:3), and on it the stars were created, and your children were likened to stars; if You eliminate them, how do we exist?’
He cast the lot on Thursday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The fifth day – on it were created birds [and animals], from which you commanded to present offerings, and with which You grant atonement to and are reconciled with people; if they are eradicated, who will present an offering?’
He cast the lot on Friday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The sixth day – on it Adam the first man was created, and you called Your children by his name; that is what is written: “You, My flock, flock of My pasture, you are men [Adam]” (Ezekiel 34:31). If you seek to uproot them, uproot all men and then let him [Haman] gain control over them.’
He cast the lot on Shabbat. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The Shabbat day – on it all your creations were completed and perfected; that is what is written: “God completed on the seventh day” (Genesis 2:2), and it is written: “It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever” (Exodus 31:17). If you seek to uproot them, uproot the Shabbat and cancel it; then eliminate them.’
Once that wicked one saw that the lot would not fall on the days, he moved to months.
He began with the month of Nisan, and the merit of Passover arose.
Iyyar had the merit of Pesaḥ sheni,¹³This refers to the fourteenth of Iyyar, when those who had been impure or were too distant from the Temple on the fourteenth of Nisan, could present the Passover offering. and the merit of the manna that was provided to Israel on the fifteenth of the month.
Sivan had the merit of the Torah.
Tammuz had the merit of the land.¹⁴The allusion is obscure. It perhaps refers to the fact that Ezra came to the Land of Israel on the first of that month (Ezra 7:8-9). Alternatively, there are midrashic traditions that Joshua stopped the sun in his war with the five Emorite kings during that month (Seder Olam Rabba:11).
Furthermore, why didn’t the lot fall on Tammuz and Av? Because they said to the Holy One blessed be He: Master of the universe, the calamities that befell your children in us, five in Tammuz and five in Av, are enough.
The possibility of Elul arose – [but it had] the merit of the completion of the wall of Jerusalem that was completed during it. That is what is written: “The wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul” (Nehemiah 6:15). There was also the merit of the animal tithe, as it is taught there: On the first of Elul is the New Year for the animal tithe (Mishna Rosh HaShana 1:1).
The possibility of Tishrei arose – [but it had] the merit of the shofar, Yom Kippur, and the festivals.
The possibility of Marḥeshvan arose – [but it had] the merit of Sarah our matriarch, who died during it.
Kislev – [but it had] the merit of Hanukkah.
The possibility of Tevet arose – [but it had] the merit of Ezra. That is what is written: “The exiles did so. Ezra the priest…sequestered themselves; [they convened on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter]...they finished with all the men who had settled with foreign women” (Ezra 10:16–17).
The possibility of Shevat arose – [but it had] the merit of the members of the Great Assembly. On the twenty-third of it [the month of Shevat] all Israel gathered over the concubine in Giva (Judges 19–21) and the idol of Mikha (Judges 17–18).
The possibility of the first of Adar arose, and no merit was found for it. The wicked one began rejoicing.
He then checked the signs of the Zodiac. Lamb [Aries] had the merit of the paschal lamb; that is what is written: “Each man, a lamb for each extended family, a lamb for each household” (Exodus 12:3).
Bull [Taurus] – the merit of Joseph, who was called a bull, was found. That is what is written: “A firstborn bull is his majesty” (Deuteronomy 33:17). And the merit of an offering, as it is stated: “A bull, or a sheep, or a goat, when it is born…” (Leviticus 22:27).
Twins [Gemini] – the merit of Peretz and Zeraḥ [the sons of Judah], who were called twins, was found in it; that is what is written: “And behold there were twins in her womb” (Genesis 38:27).
Lion [Leo] – the merit of Daniel, who was from the tribe of Judah, who was called a lion, [was found in it], as it is stated: “A lion cub is Judah” (Genesis 49:9).
Virgin [Virgo] – the merit of Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya, who were comparable to a virgin with whom no man was familiar other than her husband, [was found in it]; thus they did not change their God and their laws, and clung to their Judaism.
Scales [Libra] – that is Job, as it is stated: “If only my anger were weighed” (Job 6:2).
Scorpion [Scorpio] – that is Ezekiel, as it is stated: “And you sit among the scorpions” (Ezekiel 2:6).
Bow [Sagittarius] – that is Joseph, as it is stated about him: “His bow remained taut” (Genesis 49:24).
Kid [Capricorn] – that is Jacob, as it is stated: “And the hides of the kids of the goats” (Genesis 27:16).
Bucket [d’li] [Aquarius ] – that is Moses, as it is stated: “And he drew water [dalo dala] for us” (Exodus 2:19).
He arrived at the sign of Fish [Pisces], that serves during the month of Adar, and no merit was found for it. He immediately rejoiced and said: ‘Adar has no merit and its Zodiac sign has no merit. Not only that, but Moses their teacher died in Adar.’ And he did not know that Moses died on the seventh of Adar and Moses was born on the seventh of Adar. He said: ‘Just as fish swallow, so, I will swallow them.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Wicked one, fish sometimes swallow and sometimes are swallowed. Now, this man will be swallowed by the swallowers.’ Rabbi Ḥanan said: That is what is written: “It was reversed, so that it was the Jews who ruled over their enemies” (Esther 9:1). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: “But the Lord had not determined to expunge [the name of Israel]” (II Kings 14:27); rather, so He spoke: “For I will expunge the memory of Amalek” (Exodus 17:14).

7) (Vayikra 23:13) ("And its meal-offering, two tenths of fine flour mixed with oil, a fire-offering to the L–rd, a sweet savor; and its drink-offering, wine, a fourth of a hin.") "And its meal-offering, two tenths of fine flour mixed with oil, a fire-offering to the L–rd, a sweet savor": This two-tenths (meal-offering of the lamb which accompanies the omer) is twice the normal amount.

8) Whence is derive three of three and three (i.e., that he blows three teruoth, each of which is accompanied by a plain blast before and a plain blast after)? From (Vayikra 25:9) "And you shall cause to pass a shofar of teruah," (Vayikra 23:14) "a remembrance of teruah, a holy calling," (Bamidbar 29:1) "A day of teruah shall there be for you."

7) (Vayikra 2:12): ("As a first-offering you may offer them [leaven and honey] up to the L–rd"): "As a first-offering" (the two loaves were leavened, and the first-fruits contained the honey of fruits and dates.): — that they (the two loaves) be first of all the meal-offerings (of the year, no meal-offering of the new grain being brought before the two loaves are offered), as it is written (Vayikra 23:16): "And you shall offer a new meal-offering to the L–rd" — that it be the newest of all the meal-offerings. This tells me (that it precedes) only a meal-offering of wheat (the two loaves being of wheat.) Whence do I derive that it precedes even) a meal-offering of barley (such as the meal-offering of rancor [of the sotah])? From (Numbers 28:26): "And on the day of first-fruits, when you offer a new meal-offering to the L–rd, in your (festival of) weeks (Shavuoth)." If it ("new") is not needed for a wheat meal-offering, (this already having been written), understand it as applying to a barley meal-offering (i.e., that a barley meal-offering, too, does not precede it).

7) (Vayikra 23:16) ("Until the morrow of the seventh Sabbath shall you count fifty days, and you shall offer a new meal-offering to the L–rd.")

7) Or, go in this direction. We deduce a meal-offering (our verse), which comes (both) from the land (Eretz Yisrael) and from outside the land, from the new grain and from the old grain, from a meal-offering (the show-bread), which comes (similarly) from all of the aforementioned. And this is not to be refuted by the two loaves, which come only from the land and only from the new grain! It is, therefore, written (of the two breads, Vayikra 23:17): "From your habitations shall you bring the wave-bread." Let Scripture not state "shall you bring." (It is seemingly redundant.) — The intent is: What you bring from a different place (our instance), (which is similar to this), is like this, viz.: Just as this is one issaron for a loaf; so, what you bring from a different place (our instance), one issaron for a loaf.

7) "and two one-year old lambs as a sacrifice of peace-offerings": They must be sacrificed expressly as peace-offerings. "and the one-year old lambs as a sacrifice of peace-offerings": R. Shimon said: For what do the two Shavuoth lambs atone? For defilement of the sanctuary and its holy things. If the first atoned, why was the second needed? — For defilement that may have occurred between the (sprinkling of the blood of the) first and the (sacrifice of the) second. — If so, Israel would have to sacrifice every moment! (True,) but the Torah was "solicitous" of Israel.

7) This tells me only of cutting. Whence do I derive the same for tearing? From "to cut," (the repetition connoting extension of inclusion). Whence do I derive uprooting? From "your harvest." This tells me only of grain. Whence do I derive (for inclusion) beans? From "your land" (all that is in your land). Whence do I derive trees? From "your field." I might think that greens and cucumbers and gourds and melons, and cucumber-melons are all included. It is, therefore, written "harvest." Just as "harvest" connotes what is edible, and guarded (to exclude what is hefker [ownerless]), and growing from the ground, and gathered at one time, and stored for preservation — to exclude greens, which though they are gathered at one time, are not stored for preservation; to exclude figs, which, although they are stored for preservation, are not gathered at one time. And grain and beans are included in the general rule.

8) Whence is derive three of three and three (i.e., that he blows three teruoth, each of which is accompanied by a plain blast before and a plain blast after)? From (Vayikra 25:9) "And you shall cause to pass a shofar of teruah," (Vayikra 23:14) "a remembrance of teruah, a holy calling," (Bamidbar 29:1) "A day of teruah shall there be for you."

7) (Vayikra 23:3) ("Six days shall work be done, and on the seventh day is a Sabbath of resting, a calling of holiness. All work you shall not do; it is a Sabbath to the L–rd in all of your dwellings.") What does the Sabbath have to do with (the section on) festivals? To teach that all who desecrate the festivals are considered as having desecrated the Sabbaths, and that all who keep the festivals are considered as having kept the Sabbath.

7) I might think that just as the Sabbath may be desecrated to testify about it (the moon), so, it may be desecrated to apprise (the exiles of it) so that they can observe (the festivals on their proper times); it is, therefore, written "which you shall call" — You may desecrate the Sabbath for calling (i.e., sanctifying) it, but not for apprising (the exiles of it).

7) I might think that there is (kareth) liability for (labor on) the "addition" (above). It is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:30) "And every soul that should do any labor on this self-same day, I shall make go lost" — (for labor on) the self-same day there is kareth, but not for labor on the "addition."

7) I might think that there is (kareth) liability for (labor on) the "addition" (above). It is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:30) "And every soul that should do any labor on this self-same day, I shall make go lost" — (for labor on) the self-same day there is kareth, but not for labor on the "addition."

7) R. Akiva says: What is the intent of (Vayikra 23:37) "These are the festivals of the L–rd which you shall call them holy callings"? If to the days of the festival (proper), these are already mentioned, viz. (Vayikra 23:39) "on the first day, a resting, and on the eight day, a resting. If so, what is the intent of "which you shall call them holy callings"? These are the intermediate days of the festival, on which (non crucial) labor is forbidden.

7) R. Akiva says: What is the intent of (Vayikra 23:37) "These are the festivals of the L–rd which you shall call them holy callings"? If to the days of the festival (proper), these are already mentioned, viz. (Vayikra 23:39) "on the first day, a resting, and on the eight day, a resting. If so, what is the intent of "which you shall call them holy callings"? These are the intermediate days of the festival, on which (non crucial) labor is forbidden.

7) R. Akiva says: What is the intent of (Vayikra 23:37) "These are the festivals of the L–rd which you shall call them holy callings"? If to the days of the festival (proper), these are already mentioned, viz. (Vayikra 23:39) "on the first day, a resting, and on the eight day, a resting. If so, what is the intent of "which you shall call them holy callings"? These are the intermediate days of the festival, on which (non crucial) labor is forbidden.

7) I might think, when all the fruits are gathered. It is, therefore, written (Devarim 16:13) "from your threshing floor and from your winepress." "From your threshing floor," and not all of your threshing floor; "from your winepress," and not all of your winepress. If "from your threshing floor and from your winepress, I would think (even the lesser) part of them; it is, therefore, written "when you gather the produce of the land." How so? Exert yourselves to intercalate the year in such a manner that the festival falls out with most of the gathering of all of the fruits.

7) R. Yishmael says: "the fruit of a tree that is hadar" — one; branches of date-palms" — one; "a branch of a plaited tree" — three; "willows of the brook" — two; and even two (lopped off) hadas branches with one that is not lopped off. R. Tarfon says: even three lopped off ones. R. Akiva says: "the fruit of a tree that is hadar — one; "branches of date-palms" — one; "a branch of a plaited tree" — one; "willows of the brook" — one. Just as the lulav is one and the ethrog one, so is the hadas one and the willow (aravah) one. I might think that the ethrog is with them in the bunch, but is it written "the frit of a tree that is hadar and branches, etc."? How is that to be understood then? The ethrog by itself; the others in a bunch by themselves.

7) Let us see where there is (greater) similarity. We derive seven which are constant, the entire day (i.e., succah) from seven which are constant, the entire day (the tent of meeting), and this is not to be refuted by lulav, which is not constant, the entire day, (but only for the time of his fulfilling the mitzvah).

"to sanctify it": with a blessing — whence they ruled: It is sanctified by wine (i.e., "kiddush") upon its entry. This tells me only of kiddush at night. Whence do I derive (the same for )kiddush in the daytime? From "Remember the day of Sabbath." This tells me only of (kiddush for) the Sabbath. Whence do I derive (the same for) the festivals? From (Leviticus 23:4) "These are the festivals of the L rd, which (including the Sabbath) you shall "call" (in the kiddush) in their times."

Another interpretation (of Ps. 48:3 [2]:) BEAUTEOUS LANDSCAPE (NWP), in its waving (rt.: NWP), as stated (in Numb. 8:11): AND LET AARON OFFER (rt.: NWP) <THE LEVITES BEFORE THE LORD AS A WAVE OFFERING (rt.: NWP) FROM THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL>…. (Lev. 23:11:) THEN HE SHALL WAVE (rt.: NWP) THE SHEAF < BEFORE THE LORD>.

8) I might think that just as its meal is doubled, so should its wine be doubled; it is, therefore, written "wine, a fourth of a hin" (the normal amount). I might think that the wine is not doubled because it is not included in the meal-offering (but in the lamb offering), but that oil should be doubled because it is included in the meal-offering. It is, therefore, written and its (the meal-offerings) drink offering, a fourth of a hin — all of its drink offerings are to be a quarter (of a hin).

8) "you shall count fifty days": I might think that one should count fifty days and make the fifty-first the festival (of Shavuoth); it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:15) "seven complete Sabbaths shall they be." (In that case, I might think that he should count forty-eight days and make the forty-ninth the festival. It is, therefore, written "shall you count fifty days." How is this related? Fount forty-nine days and make the fiftieth day the festival, as with the Jubilee year.

8) "you shall count fifty days": I might think that one should count fifty days and make the fifty-first the festival (of Shavuoth); it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:15) "seven complete Sabbaths shall they be." (In that case, I might think that he should count forty-eight days and make the forty-ninth the festival. It is, therefore, written "shall you count fifty days." How is this related? Fount forty-nine days and make the fiftieth day the festival, as with the Jubilee year.

8) Why, then, do I not say that just as these (the two loaves) total two esronim; so these, (our instance) total two esronim (instead of ten); it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:17) "shall they be" ("tihyenah," an extra yod (numerical equivalent 10) in the word, signaling ten loaves for our instance).

8) (Vayikra 23:20) ("And the Cohein shall lift them on the bread of the first fruits, a lifting before the L–rd, on the two lambs. Holy shall they be to the L–rd, to the Cohein.") "And the Cohein shall lift them on the bread of the first fruits": I might think that the bread is to be beneath them; it is, therefore, written "on the two lambs." If "on the two lambs," I might think that the bread is to be on top of the lambs; it is, therefore, written "on the bread of the first fruits." The matter, then, must be weighed. What do we find elsewhere? (Vayikra 8:26) That the bread is on top. Here, too, the bread is on top. R. Yossi b. Mushulam says: The lambs are (placed) on top of the bread. And how am I to understand "on the two lambs"? To exclude the seven (mentioned above from "lifting." Chanina b. Achinas says: He places the two breads between the thighs of the lambs and lifts, thereby satisfying both of these verses — the bread on the lambs and the lambs on the bread. Rebbi said: We would not do so before a king of flesh and blood. Should we do so before the Holy One Blessed be He? Rather, he places one beside the other and lifts, (the word "on" in Hebrew being susceptible to the signification "with.")

9) And whence is it derived that what applies to Yovel (vis-à-vis shofar) applies to Rosh Hashanah, and that what applies to Rosh Hashanah applies to Yovel? From the identity (gezeirah shavah) of "in the seventh month" (stated in respect to each).

8) And whence is it derived that if Yom Kippur fell on a Sabbath and he unwittingly performed a (forbidden) labor that he is liable for each (day) in itself? From "It is Sabbath," (Vayikra 23:27) "It is Yom Kippur." These are the words of R. Akiva. R. Yossi says: He is liable only for one.

8) I might think that there is no kareth liability for labor (on the addition), but that there is such liability for (non-) affliction on the addition; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:29) "For every soul which will not be afflicted on this self-same day will be cut off." For (non-) affliction on the self-same day there is kareth liability, but not for (non-) affliction on the addition. I might think that he is not subject to the punishment, but that he is subject to (transgression of) the exhortation. It is, therefore, written "All work you shall not do on this self-same day." There is exhortation against (labor on) this self-same day, but not against labor on the addition.

8) I might think that there is no kareth liability for labor (on the addition), but that there is such liability for (non-) affliction on the addition; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:29) "For every soul which will not be afflicted on this self-same day will be cut off." For (non-) affliction on the self-same day there is kareth liability, but not for (non-) affliction on the addition. I might think that he is not subject to the punishment, but that he is subject to (transgression of) the exhortation. It is, therefore, written "All work you shall not do on this self-same day." There is exhortation against (labor on) this self-same day, but not against labor on the addition.

8) And whence is it derived that if Yom Kippur fell on a Sabbath and he unwittingly performed a (forbidden) labor that he is liable for each (day) in itself? From "It is Sabbath," (Vayikra 23:27) "It is Yom Kippur." These are the words of R. Akiva. R. Yossi says: He is liable only for one.

8) I might think that there is no kareth liability for labor (on the addition), but that there is such liability for (non-) affliction on the addition; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:29) "For every soul which will not be afflicted on this self-same day will be cut off." For (non-) affliction on the self-same day there is kareth liability, but not for (non-) affliction on the addition. I might think that he is not subject to the punishment, but that he is subject to (transgression of) the exhortation. It is, therefore, written "All work you shall not do on this self-same day." There is exhortation against (labor on) this self-same day, but not against labor on the addition.

8) I might think that crucial work is also forbidden on them; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:36) "It" — "It (the eighth day) (is a select day"). Crucial work is forbidden on it, and not on the intermediate days of the festival.

8) I might think that crucial work is also forbidden on them; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:36) "It" — "It (the eighth day) (is a select day"). Crucial work is forbidden on it, and not on the intermediate days of the festival.

8) "you shall celebrate the festival of the L–rd seven days": seven days for "making up" (omission of the chagigah offering on the first day [see beginning of Chapter 17]). "on the first day, a resting": from labor. "and on the eighth day, a resting": from labor.

8) And whence is it derived that they are mutually indispensable? From "And you shall take ("ulekachtem") for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a tree that is hadar, branches of date-palms, and a branch of a plaited tree, and willows of the brook. ("ulekachtem") equals "lekichah tamah," whereby we are taught that they (all of them) are mutually indispensable.

8) — But perhaps we should go in this direction: We derive "seven" which obtain in all generations (succah) from seven which obtain in all generations (lulav), and this is not to be refuted by the "seven" of the tent of meeting, which does not obtain in all generations! It is, therefore, written (of) both the tent of meeting and of succah) "you shall sit seven days," for a gezeirah shavah (identity). Just as with the "you shall sit seven days" of the tent of meeting, nights were equated with days, so with the "you shall sit seven days" of succah, nights are to be equated with days.

“The king said to her: What troubles you, Queen Esther, and what is your request… Esther said: If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet… The king said: Hasten Haman…The king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared…Haman emerged on that day joyful and glad of heart, but upon Haman’s seeing Mordekhai at the king’s gate, and he did not stand, and he did not move on his account, Haman became filled with fury…Haman restrained himself…and brought his supporters and Zeresh his wife, etc.” (Esther 5:3–5; 8–10).
Among all of them, there was no one capable of giving counsel like Zeresh his wife. He [Haman] had three hundred and sixty-five advisers, corresponding to the days of the solar year. His wife said to him: The person [Mordekhai] about whom you are asking, “If he is of the progeny of the Jews…you will not prevail against him” (Esther 6:13) – unless you approach him with cleverness, with [a strategy] that has never been attempted against members of his nation. If you drop him into a fiery furnace, Ḥananya and his cohorts have already been rescued [from it]; if [you place him in] the lions’ den, Daniel already emerged from it. If you incarcerate him in prison, Joseph already emerged from it. If you ignite a fire in a vat beneath him, Menashe [king of Judah] already pleaded, and the Holy One blessed be He acceded to his plea and he emerged from it. If you exile him to the wilderness, his ancestors already procreated in the wilderness, and they were confronted with numerous ordeals and passed them all and were rescued. If you blind his eyes, Samson took numerous Philistine lives when he was blind. Rather, hang him on a gibbet, as no member of his people has survived it.
Immediately, “the matter was pleasing to Haman and he prepared the gibbet” (Esther 5:14). From what tree was that gibbet crafted? The Rabbis said: When he came to prepare it, the Holy One blessed be He called to all the trees of Creation: ‘Who will give [of its wood] so this wicked one [Haman] will be hanged on it?’
The fig said: ‘I will give of myself, as Israel brings first fruits from me. Moreover, Israel was likened to the first fruits [of a fig]; that is what is written: “Like a first fruit on a fig tree in its first season”’ (Hosea 9:10).
The grapevine said: ‘I will give of myself, as Israel was analogized to me; that is what is written: “You transported a vine from Egypt”’ (Psalms 80:9).
The pomegranate said: ‘I will give of myself, as Israel was analogized to me; as it is stated: “Your temple is like a pomegranate slice”’ (Song of Songs 4:3).
The nut said: ‘I will give of myself, as Israel was likened to me; that is what is written: “I have descended to the nut garden”’ (Song of Songs 6:11).
The citron said: ‘I will give of myself, as Israel takes from me for a mitzva; that is what is written: “You shall take for you on the first day the fruit of a pleasant tree…”’¹This verse refers to the mitzva to take the four species on Sukkot. Rabbinic tradition identifies the “pleasant tree” as the citron. (Leviticus 23:40).
The myrtle said: ‘I will give of myself, as Israel was analogized to me; as it is stated: “And he was standing among the myrtles”’ (Zechariah 1:8).
The olive said: ‘I will give of myself, as Israel was analogized to me; as it is stated: “The Lord called your name a flourishing olive-tree, fair of fruit and form”’ (Jeremiah 11:16).
The apple said: ‘I will give of myself, as Israel was analogized to me; as it is stated: “Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the boys” (Song of Songs 2:3), and as it is written: “And the fragrance of your face like apples”’ (Song of Songs 7:9).
The palm said: ‘I will give of myself, as Israel was analogized to me; that is what is written: “This, your stature, is likened to a palm”’ (Song of Songs 7:8).
Acacia trees and cypress trees said: ‘We will give of ourselves, as the Sanctuary was crafted and the Temple was constructed from us.’
The cedar and the date said: ‘We will give of ourselves, as we are analogized to the righteous, as it is stated: “The righteous man flourishes like a palm tree; like a cedar in Lebanon he grows tall”’ (Psalms 92:13).
The willow says: ‘I will give of myself, as Israel was analogized to me, as it is stated: “Like willows by streams of water” (Isaiah 44:4); and they take from me for the mitzva of the four species in the lulav.’
At that moment, the thorn said before the Holy One blessed be He: ‘Master of the universe, I, who have nothing to ascribe [litlot] to myself, I will give of myself, and that impure one will be hanged [veyitaleh]. My name is thorn, and he [Haman] is a painful thorn; it is appropriate for a thorn to be hanged on a thorn.’ They found [suitable wood from a thorn] and erected [the gibbet].
When they brought it before Haman, he prepared it at the entrance to his house and measured himself on it to show his servants how Mordekhai should be hanged on it. A divine voice replied to him: ‘The tree is suitable for you; this tree has been prepared for you since the six days of Creation.’ The Rabbis there [i.e. Babylonia] say: Where in the Torah is there [an allusion] to Haman? It is, as it is stated: “Was it from the tree [hamin haetz]” (Genesis 3:11), which is expounded to read: Haman haetz.
Another matter: “it was on the third day” (Esther 5:1). Israel is never subject to trouble for more than three days, as in Abraham’s regard it is written: “On the third day, Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place from a distance” (Genesis 22:4). The tribes, “he gathered them into custody for three days” (Genesis 42:17). Jonah, as it is stated: “Jonah was in the innards of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 2:1). And the dead will live only after three days, as it is stated: “On the third day He will raise us” (Hosea 6:2).²At the resurrection of the dead, all will be revived for the day of judgement, when some will be granted “eternal life,” and others will receive “reproaches and everlasting abhorrence” (Daniel 12:2). The midrash here is stating that the righteous will experience the anxiety of the impending judgement for three days before they are granted eternal life. This miracle, too, transpired after three days of their fasting; that is what is written: “It was on the third day, that Esther donned royalty” (Esther 5:1). She sent and invited Haman to a banquet with the king on the fifteenth of Nisan. Once they ate and drank, Haman said: ‘The king promotes me, his wife honors me, and there is no one in the kingdom greater than I am,’ and his heart was overjoyed; that is what is written: “Haman emerged on that day joyful and glad of heart” (Esther 5:9).

9) (Vayikra 23:14) ("And bread, and parched grain, and fresh ears you shall not eat until this self-same day, until you have brought the offering of your G d; a statute forever, throughout your generations, in all of your dwellings.") If it were written (only) "parched grain and fresh ears you shall not eat," I would think that pulse (which lends itself to these) were also included. It is, therefore, written "bread." This tells me only of what, which is called "bread," as it is written (Vayikra 23:17) "From your dwellings shall you bring two breads of lifting." Whence is derived for inclusion barley, spelt, oats, and rye? From "and parched grain and fresh ears you shall not eat until this self-same day."

9) "and you shall offer a new meal-offering": It must be the newest of all the meal-offerings (i.e., Meal offerings are not brought of the new grain in the Temple until the two loaves are brought on a Shavuoth.) This tells me only of wheat meal-offerings. Whence do I derive the same for a barley meal-offering (i.e., the meal-offering of a sotah, that it may not be brought of new grain before this meal-offering has been brought)? It is written (Bamidbar 28:26) "And on the day of the first-fruits, when you offer up a new meal-offering to the L–rd in your festival of weeks." If this is not needed for a wheat meal-offering, (this being the import of our verse), understand it as applying to a barley meal-offering, (that it, too, may not precede it).

9) (Vayikra 23:14) ("And bread, and parched grain, and fresh ears you shall not eat until this self-same day, until you have brought the offering of your G d; a statute forever, throughout your generations, in all of your dwellings.") If it were written (only) "parched grain and fresh ears you shall not eat," I would think that pulse (which lends itself to these) were also included. It is, therefore, written "bread." This tells me only of what, which is called "bread," as it is written (Vayikra 23:17) "From your dwellings shall you bring two breads of lifting." Whence is derived for inclusion barley, spelt, oats, and rye? From "and parched grain and fresh ears you shall not eat until this self-same day."

9) ("These are the festivals of the L–rd, which you shall call holy callings to present a fire-offering to the L–rd, a burnt-offering and a meal-offering, a sacrifice and drink-offerings, the object of the day on its day.") "to present a fire-offering to the L–rd, a burnt-offering and a meal-offering": If there is no burnt-offering, there is no meal-offering. The burnt-offering must precede the meal-offering, and if the meal-offering preceded the burnt-offering, it (the burnt-offering) is invalid. "a sacrifice and drink-offerings": If there is no sacrifice, there are no drink-offerings. The sacrifice must precede the drink-offerings, and if drink-offerings preceded sacrifices, they (the sacrifices) are invalid. "the object of the day": We are hereby taught that the entire day is valid for the additional offerings (mussafin). "in its day": If its time passed (and he did not offer them), he is not required to make restitution. I might think that they are not required to make restitution for their (omitted) drink-offerings (though he presented the sacrifice itself); it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:18) "with their meal-offering and their drink-offerings" — even at night; "with their meal-offering and their drink-offerings" — even on the morrow.

9) "Holy shall they be to the L–rd to the L–rd to the Cohein": Bread (is to be offered) even if there are no lambs. These are the words of R. Akiva. R. Shimon b. Naness says: No, lambs (are to be offered) even if there is no bread. Rebbi said: It can go both ways. Who will decide? Ben Naness: I will decide. For we find that for forty years in the desert they sacrificed lambs without bread. Here, too, without bread.

10) What is the order of the tekioth? Tekiah-teruah-tekiah, tekiah-teruah-tekiah, three times that are nine (i.e., process is repeated three times). The length of a tekiah is that of the teruah, and that of the teruah is that of three shevarim (broken blasts. The size of the shofar — so that it can be held in the hand and blown.

9) I might think that (though) there is no exhortation against labor on the addition, there is exhortation against (non-) affliction on the addition. But it follows a fortiori (that this is not so, viz.: If (the ban against) labor, which obtains on festivals and Sabbaths, is not exhorted against (vis-à-vis labor on the addition), then (non-) affliction, (the ban against which does not obtain on festivals and Sabbaths — how much more so is it not exhorted against (on the addition)! But we have not heard any exhortation against (non-) affliction on the day (Yom Kippur) itself! (It is derived, however, as follows:) Let the punishment against labor not be stated, for it may be derived a fortiori, viz.: If (non-) affliction, (the ban against which) does not obtain on festivals and Sabbaths, is (on Yom Kippur) punishable by kareth, then labor (the ban against which) does obtain on festivals and Sabbaths, how much more so should it be punishable (by kareth!) Why, then, is the punishment for labor (on Yom Kippur) stated? To derive from it the exhortation against (non-) affliction (on Yom Kippur), viz.: Just as the punishment for labor follows a (written) exhortation, so, the punishment for (non-) affliction follows an (understood) exhortation.

9) ("These are the festivals of the L–rd, which you shall call holy callings to present a fire-offering to the L–rd, a burnt-offering and a meal-offering, a sacrifice and drink-offerings, the object of the day on its day.") "to present a fire-offering to the L–rd, a burnt-offering and a meal-offering": If there is no burnt-offering, there is no meal-offering. The burnt-offering must precede the meal-offering, and if the meal-offering preceded the burnt-offering, it (the burnt-offering) is invalid. "a sacrifice and drink-offerings": If there is no sacrifice, there are no drink-offerings. The sacrifice must precede the drink-offerings, and if drink-offerings preceded sacrifices, they (the sacrifices) are invalid. "the object of the day": We are hereby taught that the entire day is valid for the additional offerings (mussafin). "in its day": If its time passed (and he did not offer them), he is not required to make restitution. I might think that they are not required to make restitution for their (omitted) drink-offerings (though he presented the sacrifice itself); it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:18) "with their meal-offering and their drink-offerings" — even at night; "with their meal-offering and their drink-offerings" — even on the morrow.

9) "and you shall rejoice before the L–rd your G d seven days": and not in the borders (i.e., outside of Jerusalem) all seven days (but only on the first). And after the destruction of the Temple, R. Yochanan b. Zakkai instituted that the lulav be taken in the country (i.e., outside of Jerusalem seven days, in commemoration of the Temple, and that the entire day of lifting (the omer) be forbidden (See Section 10:11-12).

9) "citizen": as stated; "the citizen" — to exclude women; "every citizen" — to include minors (amenable to such training); "in Israel" — (I would think this) to include proselytes and freed bondsmen.

10) "until you have brought the offering of your G d": This is the omer. I might think it is the lamb. Go and see what is written below (Vayikra 23:15) — the bringing of the omer; here, too, the omer (is being referred to). When the omer was offered, they found the markets of Jerusalem full of parched flour — without the approbation of the sages. These are the words of R. Meir. R. Yehudah says: They did so with the approbation of the sages. When the omer was offered, the new (produce) was immediately permitted, and those who were far (and did not know whether the omer had already been offered) were permitted (to eat if) from mid-day on. When the Temple was destroyed, R. Yochanan b. Zakkai ordained that the entire day of lifting was forbidden (in the eating of new produce). R. Yehudah said: Is it not forbidden by the Torah, it being written "until the self-same day"! (including the day [the sixteenth of Nissan] itself)? Why were those at a distance permitted to eat it from mid-day on? Because they know that beth-din were not dilatory in this matter.

10) "until you have brought the offering of your G d": This is the omer. I might think it is the lamb. Go and see what is written below (Vayikra 23:15) — the bringing of the omer; here, too, the omer (is being referred to). When the omer was offered, they found the markets of Jerusalem full of parched flour — without the approbation of the sages. These are the words of R. Meir. R. Yehudah says: They did so with the approbation of the sages. When the omer was offered, the new (produce) was immediately permitted, and those who were far (and did not know whether the omer had already been offered) were permitted (to eat if) from mid-day on. When the Temple was destroyed, R. Yochanan b. Zakkai ordained that the entire day of lifting was forbidden (in the eating of new produce). R. Yehudah said: Is it not forbidden by the Torah, it being written "until the self-same day"! (including the day [the sixteenth of Nissan] itself)? Why were those at a distance permitted to eat it from mid-day on? Because they know that beth-din were not dilatory in this matter.

10) R. Shimon said: The halachah is according to Ben Naness, but not the rationale. For everything mentioned in Bamidbar was offered in the desert, and what is mentioned in Vayikra was not offered in the desert. And when they come to Eretz Yisrael, both were offered, as it is written (Vayikra 22:10) "When you come to the land … then you shall bring." Why do I say that lambs are to be offered (even) without bread? Because the lambs "permit" themselves (with the sprinkling of their blood and the offering of their devoted portions). And there is no bread without lambs, for there is no one to permit them, (it being forbidden to eat the bread until the lambs are offered up).

10) Whence is it derived that the additional offerings of the Sabbath are presented together with the devoted portions of the festival (when the Sabbath falls out on a festival)? From (Vayikra 23:38) "Aside from the Sabbaths of the L–rd." (Vayikra 23:38) "aside from your gifts and aside from all your vows, and aside from all your free-will offerings that you give to the L–rd": What is the intent of this? I might think that only the offerings of the festival itself are to be presented on the festival. Whence is it derived that individual offerings and communal offerings consecrated on the festival are presented on the festival? From "aside from your gifts and aside from all your vows, and aside from all your free-will offerings." "that you give to the L–rd": These are birds and meal-offerings (which are entirely consumed by fire, and, thus, entirely "to the L–rd") — to include all of them as fit for presentation on the festival.

10) Whence is it derived that the additional offerings of the Sabbath are presented together with the devoted portions of the festival (when the Sabbath falls out on a festival)? From (Vayikra 23:38) "Aside from the Sabbaths of the L–rd." (Vayikra 23:38) "aside from your gifts and aside from all your vows, and aside from all your free-will offerings that you give to the L–rd": What is the intent of this? I might think that only the offerings of the festival itself are to be presented on the festival. Whence is it derived that individual offerings and communal offerings consecrated on the festival are presented on the festival? From "aside from your gifts and aside from all your vows, and aside from all your free-will offerings." "that you give to the L–rd": These are birds and meal-offerings (which are entirely consumed by fire, and, thus, entirely "to the L–rd") — to include all of them as fit for presentation on the festival.

10) "shall sit in succoth": in a succah of any kind (and not just of the four species mentioned above). For R. Yehudah was wont to say — and it would follow — that a succah must be of the four species, viz.: If lulav, which does not obtain in the nights as in the daytime, is of the four species, then succah, which does obtain in the nights as in the daytime, how much more so must it be of the four species! They said to R. Yehudah: Every hermeneutical rule, whose initial thrust is for stringency and its end result, for leniency, is not a (valid rule). For (according to the above) if he did not find (material) of the four species, he would sit without a succah! And Scripture states (categorically) "they shall sit in succoth" — (meaning, of necessity) in succoth of all kinds.

11) (a statute forever": For the eternal house (the Temple). "throughout your generations": for all of your generations (and not that of the desert alone). "in all of your dwellings": in Eretz Yisrael and outside of it. R. Shimon said: Three things are land-linked and obtain both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of it: chadash (the ban on the new produce before the lifting of the omer), arlah (the fruits of the trees of the first three years) and kilayim (mixed seeds of the vineyard). Chadash is forbidden by the Torah in all places. Arlah (is forbidden by) a law (to Moses on Sinai). And kilayim (is forbidden by) the words of the scribes.

11) (Vayikra 23:21-22) "And you shall call out on this self-same day a holy calling … And when you harvest the harvest of your land, do not end off the corner of your field in your reaping and the gleaning of your harvest you shall not gather." R. Avardimos b. R. Yossi said: Why did Scripture see fit to insert this (peah and leket) in the midst of the festivals — Pesach and Shavuoth on one side, and Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur on the other? To teach that one who gives leket, shikchah, peah, and the poor tithe — it is accounted to him as if the Temple existed and he offered up his sacrifices therein. And one who does not give it — it is accounted to him as if the Temple existed and he did not offer up his sacrifices therein.

11) And thus does Ezra say (Nechemiah 8:15) "and that they must announce and proclaim throughout all their cities and Jerusalem, saying: Go out to the mountains and bring olive leaves, and olive-tree leaves and hadas leaves, and date-palm leaves, and plaited-tree leaves to make succoth, as it is written" (Vayikra 23:43) "So that your generations know that I caused the children of Israel to dwell in succoth when I took them out of the land of Egypt." R. Eliezer says that they were booths, literally; R. Akiva says that they were clouds of glory. "when I took them out of the land of Egypt." We are hereby taught that even the succah is a reminder of the exodus from Egypt.

11) And thus does Ezra say (Nechemiah 8:15) "and that they must announce and proclaim throughout all their cities and Jerusalem, saying: Go out to the mountains and bring olive leaves, and olive-tree leaves and hadas leaves, and date-palm leaves, and plaited-tree leaves to make succoth, as it is written" (Vayikra 23:43) "So that your generations know that I caused the children of Israel to dwell in succoth when I took them out of the land of Egypt." R. Eliezer says that they were booths, literally; R. Akiva says that they were clouds of glory. "when I took them out of the land of Egypt." We are hereby taught that even the succah is a reminder of the exodus from Egypt.

Rabbi Yitzḥak began: “Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and with gladness of heart, due to abundance of everything, you will serve your enemies…” (Deuteronomy 28:47–48) – had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance” (Exodus 15:17), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Let all their evil come before You [and do to them as You did to me]” (Lamentations 1:22).³³The term “You will bring them” in the verse in Exodus and the word “come” in the verse in Lamentations have the same root: tav, bet, alef.
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “Peoples heard, they were agitated” (Exodus 15:14), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “They heard that I am sighing” (Lamentations 1:21).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “I have seen the affliction of My people that is in Egypt” (Exodus 3:7), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “See, Lord, for I am in distress, my innards burn” (Lamentations 1:20).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “You shall proclaim on this very day” (Leviticus 23:21), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “I called my lovers; [they deceived me]” (Lamentations 1:19).³⁴The word “proclaim” in Leviticus and the word “called” in Lamentations have the same root: kuf, resh, alef.
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “Justice [tzedek], justice you shall pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “The Lord is righteous [tzadik], for I have defied His word” (Lamentations 1:18).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “You shall open your hand [to your brother]” (Deuteronomy 15:11), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Zion spread its hands, [there is no comforter for it]” (Lamentations 1:17).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “These are the appointed times of the Lord” (Leviticus 23:4), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “For these I weep” (Lamentations 1:16).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “We will ascend on the highway [bamsila]” (Numbers 20:19), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “The Lord trampled [sila] all my mighty” (Lamentations 1:15).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “I broke the bars of your yoke” (Leviticus 26:13), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “The yoke of my transgressions is preserved in His hand” (Lamentations 1:14).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “A perpetual fire shall burn upon the altar” (Leviticus 6:6), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “From on high He sent fire into my bones” (Lamentations 1:13).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “[The Lord your God who goes before you, He shall fight for you according to all that He did for you.…] in the entire path [derekh] that you went” (Deuteronomy 1:30–31), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “May it not befall you, all passersby [ovrei derekh]” (Lamentations 1:12).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “You will eat your bread to satiation” (Leviticus 26:5), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “All its people are sighing, seeking bread” (Lamentations 1:11).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “No man will covet your land” (Exodus 34:24), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “The besieger spread his hand over all its delights” (Lamentations 1:10).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “For on this day he shall atone for you [to purify you]” (Leviticus 16:30), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Its impurity is on its skirts” (Lamentations 1:9).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “From all your sins you shall be purified before the Lord” (Leviticus 16:30), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Jerusalem has sinned” (Lamentations 1:8).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “You shall be remembered before the Lord your God” (Numbers 10:9), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Jerusalem remembered in the days of its affliction” (Lamentations 1:7).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “I will walk in your midst” (Leviticus 26:12), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “All the glory of the daughter of Zion has gone” (Lamentations 1:6).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “The Lord will place you as a head [lerosh]” (Deuteronomy 28:13), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Its foes are ascendant [lerosh], its enemies are tranquil” (Lamentations 1:5).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “Three times a year [shall all your males appear before the Lord your God…on the festival]” (Deuteronomy 16:16), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “The ways of Zion mourn [without festival pilgrims]” (Lamentations 1:4).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “You will dwell securely” (Leviticus 26:5), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Judah has been exiled in affliction” (Lamentations 1:3).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “It is a night of watching of the Lord” (Exodus 12:42), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “It weeps at night” (Lamentations 1:2).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “How [eikha] can I bear alone” (Deuteronomy 1:12), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “How [eikha] does…sit solitary?” (Lamentations 1:1).

Rabbi Yitzḥak began: “Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and with gladness of heart, due to abundance of everything, you will serve your enemies…” (Deuteronomy 28:47–48) – had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance” (Exodus 15:17), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Let all their evil come before You [and do to them as You did to me]” (Lamentations 1:22).³³The term “You will bring them” in the verse in Exodus and the word “come” in the verse in Lamentations have the same root: tav, bet, alef.
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “Peoples heard, they were agitated” (Exodus 15:14), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “They heard that I am sighing” (Lamentations 1:21).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “I have seen the affliction of My people that is in Egypt” (Exodus 3:7), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “See, Lord, for I am in distress, my innards burn” (Lamentations 1:20).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “You shall proclaim on this very day” (Leviticus 23:21), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “I called my lovers; [they deceived me]” (Lamentations 1:19).³⁴The word “proclaim” in Leviticus and the word “called” in Lamentations have the same root: kuf, resh, alef.
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “Justice [tzedek], justice you shall pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “The Lord is righteous [tzadik], for I have defied His word” (Lamentations 1:18).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “You shall open your hand [to your brother]” (Deuteronomy 15:11), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Zion spread its hands, [there is no comforter for it]” (Lamentations 1:17).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “These are the appointed times of the Lord” (Leviticus 23:4), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “For these I weep” (Lamentations 1:16).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “We will ascend on the highway [bamsila]” (Numbers 20:19), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “The Lord trampled [sila] all my mighty” (Lamentations 1:15).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “I broke the bars of your yoke” (Leviticus 26:13), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “The yoke of my transgressions is preserved in His hand” (Lamentations 1:14).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “A perpetual fire shall burn upon the altar” (Leviticus 6:6), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “From on high He sent fire into my bones” (Lamentations 1:13).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “[The Lord your God who goes before you, He shall fight for you according to all that He did for you.…] in the entire path [derekh] that you went” (Deuteronomy 1:30–31), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “May it not befall you, all passersby [ovrei derekh]” (Lamentations 1:12).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “You will eat your bread to satiation” (Leviticus 26:5), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “All its people are sighing, seeking bread” (Lamentations 1:11).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “No man will covet your land” (Exodus 34:24), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “The besieger spread his hand over all its delights” (Lamentations 1:10).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “For on this day he shall atone for you [to purify you]” (Leviticus 16:30), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Its impurity is on its skirts” (Lamentations 1:9).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “From all your sins you shall be purified before the Lord” (Leviticus 16:30), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Jerusalem has sinned” (Lamentations 1:8).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “You shall be remembered before the Lord your God” (Numbers 10:9), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Jerusalem remembered in the days of its affliction” (Lamentations 1:7).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “I will walk in your midst” (Leviticus 26:12), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “All the glory of the daughter of Zion has gone” (Lamentations 1:6).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “The Lord will place you as a head [lerosh]” (Deuteronomy 28:13), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Its foes are ascendant [lerosh], its enemies are tranquil” (Lamentations 1:5).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “Three times a year [shall all your males appear before the Lord your God…on the festival]” (Deuteronomy 16:16), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “The ways of Zion mourn [without festival pilgrims]” (Lamentations 1:4).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “You will dwell securely” (Leviticus 26:5), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “Judah has been exiled in affliction” (Lamentations 1:3).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “It is a night of watching of the Lord” (Exodus 12:42), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “It weeps at night” (Lamentations 1:2).
Had you been worthy, you would have read in the Torah: “How [eikha] can I bear alone” (Deuteronomy 1:12), but now that you are not worthy, you read: “How [eikha] does…sit solitary?” (Lamentations 1:1).

12) (Vayikra 23:44) "And Moses declared the festivals of the L–rd to the children of Israel": We re hereby apprised that Moses related to Israel the laws of Pesach on Pesach, the laws of Shavuoth on Shavuoth, and the laws of Succoth on Succoth. In the language that he heard it (from the L–rd), he related it to Israel, (after which he imparted to them the oral law upon it. And all of the sections of the Torah were related in the same manner. R. Yossi Haglili says: The festivals of the L–rd were declared, but not the Sabbath of creation along with them. Ben Azzai says: The festivals of the L–rd were stated, but not the section of vows along with them.

R. Hosha'ya said: When Israel arrives at (i.e., determines the time for) New Year's Day, the Holy One says to his ministering angels:⁵²Cf. also Exod. R. 15:2. Raise up the tribunal,⁵³Gk.: bema. and bring {back} [out] the books. Then they say: Why? And he says: Because I wish to judge my children tomorrow when it is New Year's Day. They immediately raise up {bring out} a tribunal [and bring out] the books. An earthly court has made a determination to proclaim <a leap year>. It says tomorrow we are celebrating New Year's Day. The ministering angels say to the Holy One: Sovereign of the World, you did not tell us: Tomorrow is New Year's Day. He said to them: The reckoning is in their hands, as stated (in Exod. 12:2): THIS NEW MOON (i.e., THIS MONTH) BELONGS TO YOU; it is transferred to you. As for you and me, let us go to my children, so that whatever they do, we may go along with them. Moses said (in Deut. 4:7): {AND} [FOR] WHAT GREAT NATION IS THERE WHO HAS A GOD SO NEAR TO IT AS IS THE LORD OUR GOD WHENEVER WE PROCLAIM ON HIS BEHALF.⁵⁴A more traditional translation of these last six words would read: WHENEVER WE CALL UPON HIM. Now the word PROCLAIM (rt.: QR') is only <used in reference to> festival times. Thus it is stated (in Lev. 23:4): [THESE ARE THE FESTIVAL TIMES OF THE LORD…,]⁵⁵This lacuna does not occur in the Masoretic Text. THE HOLY ASSEMBLIES (rt.: QR'), <WHICH YOU SHALL PROCLAIM (rt.: QR') AT THEIR APPOINTED TIME>. Therefore (according to Exod. 12:2): THIS NEW MOON (i.e., THIS MONTH) <BELONGS TO YOU>.

13) Rebbi says: What is the intent of "And Moses declared the festivals of the L–rd to the children of Israel"? Because we learned only that the daily burnt-offering and the Paschal lamb override the Sabbath, it being written concerning them "in its appointed season," whence do we derive that the other communal offering also overrides the Sabbath? From "These shall you offer to the L–rd in your appointed seasons." But we did not hear (the same for) the omer and what is offered along with it and the two loaves and what is offered along with them. Therefore, in "And Moses declared the festivals of the L–rd to the children of Israel" Scripture established a set time ("festival" ["moadim"] = appointed times) for all of the offerings (even if the Sabbath must be overridden).

"Command the Children of Israel" (Numbers 28:2). This is [the meaning of] that which was stated by the verse (Job 27:23), "The Omnipresent we have not found to be of great power"; and [yet] it is written (in Job 36:22), "It is true that God is beyond reach in His power." How are these two verses [resolved]? Rather [it is that] when He gives to Israel, He gives to them according to His power. But when He requests something from them, He only requests according to their power. See what is written, "As for the Tabernacle, make it of ten curtains." Hence it is written, "The Omnipresent we have not found to be of great power." But when He gives to them, He gives according to His power: In the future, the Holy One, blessed be He, will make a canopy from clouds of glory for each and every righteous person, as it is stated (in Is. 4:5), "The Lord will create over the whole shrine and meeting place of Mount Zion [cloud by day and smoke with a glow of flaming fire by night; indeed] over all the glory shall hang a canopy." And why is smoke in the canopy? Since anyone whose eyes were smoky and stingy with his students in this world will have his canopy filled with smoke in the world to come. Why is there fire in the canopy? [It is coming to] teach that each and every righteous person is lit up from the canopy of his fellow, that is more elevated than he, with light the radiance of which shines from [one] end of the world to the [other] end. Hence it is written, "It is true that God is beyond reach in His power." When He requested something from them, He only requested according to their power, as it is stated (Exodus 27:20), "And you shall command...." But when He lit up for them, it was according to His power, as it is stated (Exodus 13:21), "And the Lord went in front of them by day." [Moreover, about] the future to come, it is stated (Isaiah 60:1), "Arise, My light...." And it is [also] written (Isaiah 30:26), "And the light of the moon shall become like the light of the sun." Hence, "It is true that God is beyond reach in His power." When He requested something from them, He only requested according to their power, as it is stated (Exodus 23:19), "The choice first fruits of your land." But when He gives to them, it is according to His power, as it is stated (Ezekiel 47:12), "All kinds of trees for food will grow up on both banks of the stream; their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail; they will yield new fruit every month...." What is [the meaning of] "they will yield new fruit every month?" That each and every tree yields new fruit each and every month, [such that] the new fruit of this month is not like the new fruit of another month. When He requested something from them, He only requested according to their power, as it is stated (Leviticus 23:40), "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a beautiful true." But when He gives, it according to His power, as it is stated (Isaiah 41:19), "I will give in the wilderness cedar, acacia." And it is [also] written (Isaiah 55:13), "Instead of the brier, a cypress shall rise."

"And you shall celebrate it as a festival for the L rd": This tells me only of the first day of the festival as requiring a chagigah (offering). Whence do I derive (the same for) the last day? It is, therefore, written (Ibid. 13:6) "and on the seventh day, a festival (chag) to the L rd." This tells me only of the first and the last days as requiring a chagigah. Whence do I derive the same for the intermediate days of the festival (chol hamoed )? It follows inductively, viz.: Since the first and the last days are called mikra kodesh ("a calling of holiness") and chol hamoed is called mikra kodesh, then if you have learned about the former that they require a chagigah, then the latter, too, require a chagigah. And, furthermore, it follows a fortiori, viz.: If the first and last days, which are not preceded or followed by holy days, require a chagigah, how much more so (the days of) chol hamoed , which are preceded and followed by holy days! R. Yossi Haglili says: It is written (Devarim 16:15) "Seven days shall you celebrate ('tachog') to the L rd your G d," to include the seven days of Pesach as requiring a chagigah. __ But perhaps it speaks only of Succoth? (This is not so, for Leviticus 23:41) "And you shall celebrate it as a festival of the L rd" already speaks of Succoth. How, then, are we to understand "Seven days shall you celebrate"? To include the seven days of Pesach as requiring a chagigah.

What is the intent of (Exodus, Ibid. 150 "And the seventh day, a Sabbath of resting, holy to the L rd"? From (Leviticus 23:4) "These are the festivals of the L rd, callings of holiness," I might think that just as the holiness of the festivals (i.e., the determination of their times by intercalation and the like) is relegated to beth-din, so, the holiness of Sabbath. It is, therefore written "and the seventh day, a Sabbath of resting, holy to the L rd" — Sabbath is relegated to the L rd, and not to beth-din. And thus is it written (Ibid. 14) "And you shall keep the Sabbath."

It must, therefore, be written "Seven [and not six] days shall you eat matzoth." (Ibid. 15) "Only on the first day": This makes (the eating of matzoth on) the first day mandatory and the others optional. You say this, but perhaps (the intent is) to make the first optional and the others mandator? It is, therefore, written (18) "On the first day, on the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening shall you eat matzoth," whereby Scripture fixes the first day as mandatory. It is not the second assumption, then, which is to be accepted, but the first. One verse (15) states "Seven days shall you eat matzoth," and a second (Devarim 16:8) "Six days shall you eat matzoth." How are these two verses to be reconciled? The seventh day was in the general category (of eating matzoth), and it left that category (in verse 15) to teach about the entire category, viz.: Just as the seventh is optional, so all are optional. But perhaps (the meaning is) Just as the seventh is optional, so the first night is optional? It is, therefore, written (18) "On the first day, on the fourteenth day of the month shall you eat matzoth." Scripture established it as mandatory. It is not the second assumption, then, which is to be accepted, but the first. Variantly: One verse states "Six," and another "Seven." How are these two verses to be reconciled? Six from the new crop; seven from the old. (i.e., If he wishes to eat matzoth from the new crop, he can do so only for six days, it being forbidden on the first day, until after the offering of the omer [viz. Leviticus 23:15]).

(Exodus 12:16) "On the first day, a calling of holiness, etc.": Sanctify it with food and drink and with clean clothing. This tells me only that the first and last day of the festival are "callings of holiness." Whence do I derive the same for chol hamoed (the intermediate days)? From (Leviticus 23:38) "These (intermediate days) are the festivals of the L rd, which you shall call callings of holiness.""All labor shall not be done in them": This tells me that labor is forbidden only on the first and last days. Whence do I derive (the same for) chol hamoed ? From (Exodus 23;15) "The festival of matzoth shall you keep seven days" — in any event. These are the words of R. Yoshiyah. R. Yonathan says: This (derivation) is not necessary. If labor is forbidden on the first and last days, which are neither preceded nor followed by holiness, then how much more so chol hamoed , which is both preceded and followed by holiness! __ (No,) this is refuted by the six days of creation, on which labor is not forbidden, though they are preceded and followed by holiness (i.e., Sabbath)! __ No, this may be true of the six days of creation, on which there is no mussaf offering, as opposed to chol hamoed , on which there is a mussaf offering, wherefore labor is forbidden upon them. __ (No,) this is refuted by the New Moons, where labor is permitted, even though there is a mussaf offering upon them. __ (No,) this may be true of New Moons, which are not called "callings of holiness," as opposed to chol hamoed , which is called "a calling of holiness," wherefore labor should be forbidden upon them. We hereby derive that labor is forbidden on chol hamoed .

"All labor shall not be done in them": Neither you nor your neighbor shall do it, but a gentile may do it (for you). You say this, but perhaps the meaning is: Neither you, nor your neighbor, nor a gentile may do your work? It is, therefore, written (Leviticus 23:7) "All manner of work you shall not do," but a gentile may do your work. Therefore, (the meaning here is) You shall not do it, and your neighbor shall not do it, but a gentile may do it for you. These are the words of R. Yoshiyah. R. Yonathan says: This (derivation) is not needed. Is it not already written (Exodus 20:8) "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, etc." Now does this not follow a fortiori, viz.: If on a Sabbath, the greater, you are not exhorted against the work of a gentile for you, how much more so on a festival, the lesser! If so, what is the intent of "All labor shall not be done in them"? Neither you nor your neighbor shall do it (for you). This tells me only of a festival. Whence do I derive (the same for) Sabbath, that your neighbor may not do it for you? __ Would you ask that? If you are exhorted against his doing it (for you) on a festival, the lesser, how much more so on Sabbath, the greater!

(Numb. 29:35:) ON THE EIGHTH DAY YOU SHALL HAVE (literally: THERE SHALL BE FOR YOU) A SOLEMN ASSEMBLY. What is the meaning of FOR YOU? The Holy One said to Israel: The festive occasion⁵²Simhah. The allusion is to the solemn assembly on the eighth day of the festival, which is called Simhat Torah. is fitting FOR YOU; New Moons are fitting FOR YOU; festival times are fitting FOR YOU; holidays are fitting FOR YOU. It is therefore stated (ibid.): FOR YOU. A certain star worshiper questioned R. Aqiva. He said to him: Why do you keep festival times? Did not he say the following to you (in Is. 1:14): YOUR NEW MOONS AND YOUR FESTIVAL TIMES MY SOUL HATES? R. Aqiva said to him: If <the Holy One> had said: "My New Moons and my festival times my soul hates," I should have said so. He only said: YOUR NEW MOONS AND YOUR FESTIVAL TIMES, because these are the festival times which Jeroboam instituted, as stated (in I Kings 12:32): JEROBOAM ALSO INSTITUTED A FESTIVAL…. These festival times, however, (the ones ordained by the Holy One) shall never be abolished. Neither shall the New Moons. Why? Because they belong to the Holy One, as stated (in Lev. 23:2): THE FESTIVAL TIMES OF THE LORD. It also says (ibid.): THESE ARE MY FESTIVAL TIMES. [(Also in vs. 4:) THESE ARE THE FESTIVAL TIMES OF THE LORD.] They shall, therefore, never be abolished; for it is concerning them that it is stated (in Ps. 111:8): THEY ARE ESTABLISHED FOREVER TO BE PERFORMED WITH FAITHFULNESS AND UPRIGHTNESS.

(Numb. 29:35:) “On the eighth day.” What was the reason for [the number of sacrificial animals] being reduced on each day?⁴³Numb. R. 21:25. The Torah is simply teaching you etiquette from the sacrifices. Thus if someone goes for lodging,⁴⁴Gk.: Xenia. and his host receives him; on the first day he receives him properly and feeds him fowl. Then on the second he feeds him fish; on the third he feeds him cheese; on the fourth he feeds him greens. So does he continue to reduce, until he is feeding him pulse. (Numb. 29:35:) “On the eighth day you shall have (literally, there shall be for you) a solemn assembly.” What is the meaning of “for you?” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel, “Joy is fitting for you; new moons are fitting for you; festival times are fitting for you; holidays are fitting for you.” It is therefore stated (ibid.), “for you.” A certain gentile questioned R. Aqiva. He said to him, “Why do you keep festival times? Did not the Holy One, blessed be He, say the following to you (in Is. 1:14), ‘Your new moons and your festival times My soul hates?’” R. Aqiva said to him, “If He had said, ‘My new moons and My festival times My soul hates,’ I should have said so. But He said, ‘Your new moons and your festival times’; because of those festival times which Jeroboam instituted, as stated (in I Kings 12:32-33), ‘Jeroboam also instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the festival in Judah, at Bethel to sacrifice to the calves, and he ascended the altar…. and he made a festival for the Children of Israel.’ These festival times, however, (the ones ordained by the Holy One, blessed be He,) shall never be abolished. Neither shall the new moons. Why? Because they belong to the Holy One, blessed be He, as stated (in Lev. 23:4), ‘These are My festivals times’” And it is also written (ibid. verse 44), “And Moses told the festival times of the Lord.” They shall, therefore, never be abolished; for it is concerning them that it is stated (in Ps. 111:8), “They are established forever to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.”

(Lev. 23:40:) “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day [beautiful tree fruit, branches of palm trees, boughs of dense trees and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days].” This text is related (to Prov. 4:10), “Heed, my child, and take in (rt.: lqh) my words,” and (in Prov. 2:1), “treasure my commandments.” I have charged you with many takings (rt.: lqh) in order to benefit you.⁸¹Lev. R. 30:13. I told you (in Numb. 19:2), “’And let them bring (rt.: lqh) you a red cow.’ Was it possibly for My sake? No. I only did it in order to cleanse you. Is it not so written (in vs. 19), ‘And the clean person shall sprinkle it [upon the unclean person]?’ I told you (in Exod. 25:2), ‘And let them take (rt.: lqh) for Me a priestly share,’ so that I might dwell among you.” It is so stated (in vs. 8), “And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.’” He, as it were, spoke a difficult thing to them, “Take Me that I may dwell among you.” “And take a priestly share” is not written here, but “And let them take (for)⁸²Since “for Me” can sometimes be understood as a direct object, the midrash is understanding the verse to mean: LET THEM TAKE ME AS A PRIESTLY SHARE. Me a priestly share.” [It is] I, [whom] you are taking.” “I said to you (in Exod. 27:20), ‘And let them bring unto you pure olive oil.’ Do I need your light? It is simply to preserve your souls, since the soul is likened to a lamp, where it is stated (in Prov. 20:27), ‘A person's soul is a lamp of the Lord.’ And now when it says (in Lev. 23:40), ‘And you shall take for yourselves on the first day,’ it is not because it is necessary for Me, but in order to benefit you.” (Lev. 23:40:) “A beautiful tree fruit, branches of palm trees, boughs of dense trees and willows of the brook.” What is the nature of these four species?⁸³Lev. R. 30:12. Some of them produce fruit and some of them do not produce fruit. “A beautiful tree fruit, the branches of the palm trees.” These are the righteous, [because they have good works, which are like these plants that have fruit]. “Boughs of dense trees and willows of the brook.” These are the average Israelites. The Holy One, blessed be He, said, “All of you join together to become a single group, so that there not be leftovers among my children. If you have done so, I will be exalted upon you.” And so the prophet says (in Amos 9:6), “Who builds His upper chambers in the heavens and founds His celestial vault upon earth.” Now when is He exalted? When they become a single group (agudah), as stated (ibid., cont.), “and founds His celestial vault (agudah) upon earth.”

"And you shall guard this day": What is the intent of this? Is it not already written (16) "all labor shall not be done in them"? This tells me only of labor per se. Whence do I derive (the same for) shvuth (i.e., violation of "resting")? From "And you shall guard this day." __ But then let (violations of) shvuth be forbidden on chol hamoed , too! And this would follow a fortiori, viz.: Since the first and the last day (of Pesach) are called "a calling of holiness," and chol hamoed is called "a calling of holiness," and (violations of shvuth are forbidden on the first and the last day, let them, likewise, be forbidden on chol hamoed . It is, therefore, written (Leviticus 23:39) "The first day is shabbaton (like "shvuth"), and the eighth day is shabbaton" (but not chol hamoed ).

(Lev. 23:40:) “And you shall take for yourselves.” [Take (rt.: lqh) implies] by a full purchase (rt.: lqh), for you are not to persist in stealing it.⁸⁴ySuk. 3:1 (53c); Suk. 43a; Lev. R. 30:6; PRK 27:6; cf. Lev. R. 30:5. Then it would turn out that his advocate⁸⁵Gk.: synegoros. has become his accuser.⁸⁶Gk.: kategor. (Lev. 23:40:) “And you shall take (rt.: lqh) [ for yourselves ].” R. Hiyya taught in a baraita, “Through buying (mqh) and not through stealing, through buying (mqh) and not gratIs. [Such prohibitions serve] to exclude what is borrowed and to exclude what is stolen. A parable: To what is the matter comparable? To a royal agent who went to collect [taxes] in the city. After he had collected them, a certain townsperson found him on the road [and] he was a bandit.⁸⁷Gk.: lestes. He beat him and took everything belonging to him plus the collected tax money which was in his possession. After some time that townsperson came to be on trial before the governor. He went to hire himself someone who would plead his case. The [tax] collector said to him, ‘What are you doing here?’ He said to him, ‘There is a lawsuit, and I wish to hire myself someone who will plead my case.’ He said to him, ‘Give me that gold and those articles and that baggage⁸⁸Lat.: tapeta and Gk.: tapetes (“carpets”), from which comes the English, “tapestries.” which you took from me. Then I will plead your case. And tomorrow when you stand for trial in front of the governor and he will say to you, “Do you have someone to plead your case,” say, “Such and such a person,” and I will go and plead your case.’ [So] he took that gold and that baggage from him, [but only] a part [of it,] and he went away.⁸⁹Cf. the reading in Codex Vaticanus Ebr. 34: He said to him, “What will you give me, if I plead your case?” He said to him, “You then give me the baggage.” So he gave him a rug and other garments which he had taken from him. The next day, when he stood before the governor, he said, ‘Do you have someone who is pleading (melamed) your case.’ He answered and said, ‘Such and such a person.’ The governor said to him, ‘What case are you making (melamed) for this person?’ He said to him, ‘My Lord, I am telling the things that this companion of mine did to me. When I went to collect taxes in such and such a city, he rose up against me, robbed me, and took everything that I had. And the things which you see in my hands are some of the things which he returned to me so that I would plead his case.’ Then they all began to say, ‘Woe to that one, for his advocate has become his accuser.’ Thus, no one from Israel should give praise with a stolen lulav. [He should not use one] unless he buys (rt.: lqh) it for himself with money, as stated (in Lev. 23:40), ‘And you shall take (rt.: lqh) for yourselves.’” (Lev. 23:40:) “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day.” This text is related (to Ps. 96:12 // I Chron. 16:33), “Then shall all forest trees shout for joy.” About whom does Scripture speak? About Israel and about the peoples of the world, when the Holy One, blessed be He, judges them on the Day of Atonement. The former and the latter come [for a verdict], but we do not know who has prevailed. To what is the matter comparable?⁹⁰Lev. R. 30:2; PRK 27:2. To two humans who came before the king for a verdict. Now no one except the king himself knew what [the issue] was between them. The king judged them, but the people did not know who had prevailed against his companion. [However], the king said, “You should know that whoever leaves with a lance⁹¹Agon. Buber, p. 99, n. 190, points out the variant readings for this word in various mss. and parallel texts. He suggests that the reading may be, bayyon, which comes from the Greek baion, and means “palm branch.” Certainly this reading makes more sense in the context here. in his hand has prevailed.” So Israel and the peoples of the world come for a verdict on the Day of Atonement, and the people do not know who is victorious. The Holy One, blessed be He, said, “Take your lulavim in your hand, so that everyone may know that you have won in the judgment.” Therefore David said (in Ps. 96:12–13; // I Chron. 16:33), “Then shall all forest trees shout for joy [before the Lord ]” When? (Ibid., cont.:) “When He comes, when He comes to judge the earth,” on the Day of Atonement. What does Israel do? They wait for him five more days in order that everyone may hear that Israel won. It is therefore stated (in Lev. 23:40:) “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day [beautiful tree fruit, branches of palm trees].”

(Lev. 23:40:) “And you shall take for yourselves.” This text is related (to Ps. 35:10), “All my bones shall say, ‘Lord, who is like you?’” David has stated this verse beautifully.⁹²Lev. R. 30:14. You yourself know that the lulav is like a human spine, the myrtle is like the eyes, the willow is like the lips, and the ethrog is like the heart. David said, “I have no greater organs than these, [since] they correspond to the [whole body (in importance)].” Ergo (in Ps. 35:10), “All my bones [shall say, ‘Lord, who is like you?’]”

(Lev. 23:40:) “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day.” After all the wisdom which is ascribed to Solomon (since according to I Kings 5:11), “He was the wisest of all people,”⁹³See PRK 4:3; PR 14:9. he left everything and sat wondering about these four species.⁹⁴Lev. R. 30:15. This is related (to Prov. 30:18), “Three things are too difficult for me; and four I do not understand.” These are the four species which are in the lulav, which he sought to understand. Now if you say that (in Lev. 23:40) the “beautiful tree fruit” is an ethrog, all trees bear fruit. (Ibid., cont.:) “Branches of palm trees.” One needs to take two branches and their hearts, but one only takes the heart of the palm, i.e., the lulav. (Ibid., cont.:) “Boughs of dense trees.” Who says to you that it is the myrtle, since it is written in another place (i.e., in Neh. 8:15), “Go out to the mountain and bring leafy branches of olive trees, leafy branches of oil-giving trees, leafy branches of myrtle, leafy branches of palms, and leafy branches of dense trees to make the sukkot (huts), as is written.” (Lev. 23:40, cont.:) “And willows of the brook”; [yet] all the trees grow in the water. (Prov. 30:18:) “And four I do not understand.” But in another place it says (i.e., in Prov. 30:29), “Three things have a stately stride, and four have a stately walk.” These are the four species which are in the lulav, for each and every person from Israel goes running to buy one of them for himself in order to give praise to the Lord, so that he be acceptable to Him and make atonement for all his sins. “A stately walk.” The one who sees these same four species, disparages them, and [yet] they loom large before the Holy One, blessed be He. (Prov. 30:24:) “Four things are tiny on earth.” They are these four species. (Ibid., cont.:) “But they are the wisest of the wise,” because they deal wisely, when they plead merit and wisdom before the One who spoke and the world came into being. Another interpretation (of Prov. 30:24), “But they are the wisest of the wise”: And who gave us the interpretation that these four species are ethrog, lulav, myrtle, and willow? The rabbinic sages (hakhamim), “but they are the wisest (hakhamim) of the wise.”

(Lev. 23:40:) “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day,” and even on the Sabbath.⁹⁵See Lev. 30:8; PRK 27:8. [Indeed] during the time that the Temple was standing, [the people] took up [their lulavim on the Sabbath], but now the later sages have decreed for them not to take up [lulavim] on the Sabbath, lest one goes to the legal expert to learn [about the matter], and [it cause] him to carry it four cubits in the public domain.⁹⁶For other reasoning behind the ruling, cf. Suk. 43a. The same also [holds true] in regard to a shofar and a scroll [of Esther].

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23 "Command the Children of Israel" (Numbers 28:2). This is [the meaning of] that which was stated by the verse (Job 27:23), "The Omnipresent we have not found to be of great power"; and [yet] it is written (in Job 36:22), "It is true that God is beyond reach in His power." How are these two verses [resolved]? Rather [it is that] when He gives to [Israel], He gives to them according to His power. But when He requests something from them, He only requests according to their power. See what is written (Exodus 26:1), "As for the Tabernacle, make it of ten curtains." But in the future, the Holy One, blessed be He, will make a canopy from clouds of glory for each and every righteous person, as it is stated (in Is. 4:5), "The Lord will create over the whole shrine and meeting place of Mount Zion cloud by day and smoke with a glow of flaming fire by night; indeed over all the glory shall hang a canopy." And why is smoke in the canopy? Since anyone whose eyes were smoky and stingy with his students in this world will have his canopy filled with smoke in the world to come. Why is there fire in the canopy? [It is coming to] teach that each and every righteous person is lit up from the canopy of his fellow, that is more elevated than he; with light the radiance of which shines from [one] end of the world to the [other] end. Hence it is written, "It is true that God is beyond reach in His power." When He requested something from them, He only requested according to their power, as it is stated (Exodus 27:20), "And you shall command [...]." But when He lit up for them, it was according to His power, as it is stated (Exodus 13:21), "And the Lord went in front of them by day." [Moreover, about] the future to come, it is stated (Isaiah 60:1-3), "Arise, My light [...]. But upon you the Lord will shine, and His Presence be seen over you. And nations shall walk by your light; kings, by your shining radiance. And it is written, (Isaiah 30:26), "And the light of the moon shall become like the light of the sun […]." Hence, "It is true that God is beyond reach in His power." When He requested something from them, He only requested according to their power, as it is stated (Exodus 23:19), "The choice first fruits of your land." But when He gives to them, it is according to His power, as it is stated (Ezekiel 47:12), "All kinds of trees for food will grow up on both banks of the stream; their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail; they will yield new fruit every month." What is [the meaning of] "they will yield new fruit every month?" That each and every tree yields new fruit each and every month, [such that] the new fruit of this month is not like the new fruit of another month. When He requested something from them, He only requested according to their power, as it is stated (Leviticus 23:40), "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a beautiful true." But when He gives, it is according to His power, as it is stated (Isaiah 41:19), "I will give in the wilderness cedar, acacia […]." [And it is also written] (Isaiah 55:13), "Instead of the brier, a cypress shall rise."

26 (Numb. 29:35) “On the eighth day”: What was the reason for [the number of sacrificial animals] being reduced on each day? The Torah is simply teaching you etiquette from the sacrifices. Thus if someone goes for lodging,²²Gk.: Xenia. and his host receives him; on the first day he receives him properly and feeds him fowl. Then on the second he feeds him meat; on the third he feeds him fish; on the fourth he feeds him greens. So does he continue to reduce, until he is feeding him pulse. (Numb. 29:35) “You shall have (literally, there shall be for you)”: What is the meaning of “for you?” [The Holy One, blessed be He,] said to them, “Festival times are fitting for you.” A certain gentile questioned R. Aqiva. He said to him, “Why do you keep festival times? Did not the Holy One, blessed be He, say the following to you (in Is. 1:14), ‘Your new moons and your festival times My soul hates?’” R. Aqiva said to him, “If He had said, ‘My new moons and My festival times My soul hates,’ I should have said [so. But] He said, ‘Your new moons and your festival times’; because of those festival times which Jeroboam instituted, as stated (in I Kings 12:32-33), ‘Jeroboam also instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the festival in Judah, at Bethel to sacrifice to the calves. And he ascended the altar […] and he made a festival for the Children of Israel […].’ These festival times, however, (the ones ordained by the Holy One, blessed be He,) shall never be abolished. Neither shall the new moons. Why? Because they belong to the Holy One, blessed be He, as stated (in Lev. 23:37), ‘These are the festival times of the Lord.’ And similarly (in Lev. 23:4), ‘These are My festivals times.’” And it is also written (ibid. verse 44), “And Moses told the festival times of the Lord.” They shall, therefore, never be abolished; for it is concerning them that it is stated (in Ps. 111:8), “They are established forever to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.”

26 (Numb. 29:35) “On the eighth day”: What was the reason for [the number of sacrificial animals] being reduced on each day? The Torah is simply teaching you etiquette from the sacrifices. Thus if someone goes for lodging,²²Gk.: Xenia. and his host receives him; on the first day he receives him properly and feeds him fowl. Then on the second he feeds him meat; on the third he feeds him fish; on the fourth he feeds him greens. So does he continue to reduce, until he is feeding him pulse. (Numb. 29:35) “You shall have (literally, there shall be for you)”: What is the meaning of “for you?” [The Holy One, blessed be He,] said to them, “Festival times are fitting for you.” A certain gentile questioned R. Aqiva. He said to him, “Why do you keep festival times? Did not the Holy One, blessed be He, say the following to you (in Is. 1:14), ‘Your new moons and your festival times My soul hates?’” R. Aqiva said to him, “If He had said, ‘My new moons and My festival times My soul hates,’ I should have said [so. But] He said, ‘Your new moons and your festival times’; because of those festival times which Jeroboam instituted, as stated (in I Kings 12:32-33), ‘Jeroboam also instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the festival in Judah, at Bethel to sacrifice to the calves. And he ascended the altar […] and he made a festival for the Children of Israel […].’ These festival times, however, (the ones ordained by the Holy One, blessed be He,) shall never be abolished. Neither shall the new moons. Why? Because they belong to the Holy One, blessed be He, as stated (in Lev. 23:37), ‘These are the festival times of the Lord.’ And similarly (in Lev. 23:4), ‘These are My festivals times.’” And it is also written (ibid. verse 44), “And Moses told the festival times of the Lord.” They shall, therefore, never be abolished; for it is concerning them that it is stated (in Ps. 111:8), “They are established forever to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.”

26 (Numb. 29:35) “On the eighth day”: What was the reason for [the number of sacrificial animals] being reduced on each day? The Torah is simply teaching you etiquette from the sacrifices. Thus if someone goes for lodging,²²Gk.: Xenia. and his host receives him; on the first day he receives him properly and feeds him fowl. Then on the second he feeds him meat; on the third he feeds him fish; on the fourth he feeds him greens. So does he continue to reduce, until he is feeding him pulse. (Numb. 29:35) “You shall have (literally, there shall be for you)”: What is the meaning of “for you?” [The Holy One, blessed be He,] said to them, “Festival times are fitting for you.” A certain gentile questioned R. Aqiva. He said to him, “Why do you keep festival times? Did not the Holy One, blessed be He, say the following to you (in Is. 1:14), ‘Your new moons and your festival times My soul hates?’” R. Aqiva said to him, “If He had said, ‘My new moons and My festival times My soul hates,’ I should have said [so. But] He said, ‘Your new moons and your festival times’; because of those festival times which Jeroboam instituted, as stated (in I Kings 12:32-33), ‘Jeroboam also instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the festival in Judah, at Bethel to sacrifice to the calves. And he ascended the altar […] and he made a festival for the Children of Israel […].’ These festival times, however, (the ones ordained by the Holy One, blessed be He,) shall never be abolished. Neither shall the new moons. Why? Because they belong to the Holy One, blessed be He, as stated (in Lev. 23:37), ‘These are the festival times of the Lord.’ And similarly (in Lev. 23:4), ‘These are My festivals times.’” And it is also written (ibid. verse 44), “And Moses told the festival times of the Lord.” They shall, therefore, never be abolished; for it is concerning them that it is stated (in Ps. 111:8), “They are established forever to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.”

26 (Numb. 29:35) “On the eighth day”: What was the reason for [the number of sacrificial animals] being reduced on each day? The Torah is simply teaching you etiquette from the sacrifices. Thus if someone goes for lodging,²²Gk.: Xenia. and his host receives him; on the first day he receives him properly and feeds him fowl. Then on the second he feeds him meat; on the third he feeds him fish; on the fourth he feeds him greens. So does he continue to reduce, until he is feeding him pulse. (Numb. 29:35) “You shall have (literally, there shall be for you)”: What is the meaning of “for you?” [The Holy One, blessed be He,] said to them, “Festival times are fitting for you.” A certain gentile questioned R. Aqiva. He said to him, “Why do you keep festival times? Did not the Holy One, blessed be He, say the following to you (in Is. 1:14), ‘Your new moons and your festival times My soul hates?’” R. Aqiva said to him, “If He had said, ‘My new moons and My festival times My soul hates,’ I should have said [so. But] He said, ‘Your new moons and your festival times’; because of those festival times which Jeroboam instituted, as stated (in I Kings 12:32-33), ‘Jeroboam also instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the festival in Judah, at Bethel to sacrifice to the calves. And he ascended the altar […] and he made a festival for the Children of Israel […].’ These festival times, however, (the ones ordained by the Holy One, blessed be He,) shall never be abolished. Neither shall the new moons. Why? Because they belong to the Holy One, blessed be He, as stated (in Lev. 23:37), ‘These are the festival times of the Lord.’ And similarly (in Lev. 23:4), ‘These are My festivals times.’” And it is also written (ibid. verse 44), “And Moses told the festival times of the Lord.” They shall, therefore, never be abolished; for it is concerning them that it is stated (in Ps. 111:8), “They are established forever to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.”

(Lev. 23:40:) “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day.” Is it the first [day]?⁹⁷Lev. R. 30:7; PRK 27:7. Is it not the fifteenth day? So how is it the first? It is simply the first for the reckoning (heshbon) of sins. R. Mani and R. Joshua of Sikhnin in the name of R. Levi said a parable, “To what is the matter comparable?⁹⁸Eccl. R. 9:7:1. To a province which owed back taxes⁹⁹Gk.: loipas. to the king. [When] the king sent to collect [the sum], they did not hand it over, because the bill was large. So it happened the first time, and a second time; when he sent [for it], they did not hand it over. What did the king do? He said to his courtiers,¹⁰⁰Literally, “children of the palace (palation).” Cf. Lat.: palatium; Gk: palation. ‘Arise and let us move against them.’ While they were traveling about ten mil¹⁰¹Milin; cf. Lat.: mille passus. [away], the people of the province heard [what was happening]. What did they do? The nobles of the province began to go to a meeting¹⁰²Gk.: apante. with the king. He said to them, ‘Who are you?’ They said to him, ‘We are people of such and such a province where you sent to collect our taxes.’ He said to them, ‘So what do you want?’ They said to him, ‘If you please, show us kindness, because we have nothing to hand over.’ He said to them, ‘I will remit half for you.’ While he was [still] coming, the ruffians of the province went out and greeted him about five mil [away]. He said to them, ‘Who are you?’ They said to him, ‘We are people of such and such a province where you sent to collect our taxes, but we don’t have the ability to stand [up to the demand]; if you please, have mercy upon us.’ He said to them, ‘I have already remitted half [your debt], but for your sake I am remitting half of [the remaining] half. While he was [still] coming, all the people of the province came out to him, [both] large and small. He said to them, ‘What do you want?’ They said to him, ‘Our Lord king, we don’t have the ability to remit what we owe you.’ He said to them, ‘I have already remitted half plus half of [the remaining] half, but for your sake I am remitting everything. However, from now on there [begins] a new account (heshbon).’ This king is [the supreme King of kings], the Holy One, blessed be He. The people of his province? These are Israel, who acquire sins during all of the whole year. What does the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He says, ‘Do penance at the beginning of the year.’ So they come in submission on the Day of Atonement, when they humble themselves and do penance. Then the Holy One, blessed be He, forgives them. And what do they do? The eve of Rosh Hashanah, the great ones of the generation fast, and the Holy One, blessed be He, relinquishes [Israel] a third of its sins. And from Rosh Hashanah to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), individuals fast, and the Holy One, blessed be He, relinquishes [another] third of their sins. And on the Day of Atonement, all of Israel fasts and requests mercy, men, women and infants. And [so] the Holy One, blessed be He, relinquishes everything; as it is written (in Leviticus 16:30), ‘As upon this day, there will be atonement for you….’ What does Israel do [then]? They all take their lulavim on the first day of the festival and render praise to the Holy One, blessed be He. Thus He is reconciled to them and forgives them. He says to them, ‘See, I have relinquished all your former sins for you. However, from now on there is a new account (heshbon).’ Thus it is stated (in Lev. 23:40), ‘And you shall take for yourselves on the first day.’ [It is] first for the reckoning (heshbon) of sins.’” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them, “In this world I have told you to make a sukkah in order to pay me my remuneration for what I have done for you. It is so stated (in Lev. 23:42-43), ‘You shall dwell in sukkot for seven days […]. In order that your generations may know that I had [the Children of Israel] dwell in sukkot.’ So I reckon it to your credit, as if you are rendering payment to Me. But in the world to come I will appear over you like a sukkah, as stated (in Is. 4:6), ‘There shall be a sukkah as a shade from the heat by day.’”

(Lev. 23:40:) “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day.” Is it the first [day]?⁹⁷Lev. R. 30:7; PRK 27:7. Is it not the fifteenth day? So how is it the first? It is simply the first for the reckoning (heshbon) of sins. R. Mani and R. Joshua of Sikhnin in the name of R. Levi said a parable, “To what is the matter comparable?⁹⁸Eccl. R. 9:7:1. To a province which owed back taxes⁹⁹Gk.: loipas. to the king. [When] the king sent to collect [the sum], they did not hand it over, because the bill was large. So it happened the first time, and a second time; when he sent [for it], they did not hand it over. What did the king do? He said to his courtiers,¹⁰⁰Literally, “children of the palace (palation).” Cf. Lat.: palatium; Gk: palation. ‘Arise and let us move against them.’ While they were traveling about ten mil¹⁰¹Milin; cf. Lat.: mille passus. [away], the people of the province heard [what was happening]. What did they do? The nobles of the province began to go to a meeting¹⁰²Gk.: apante. with the king. He said to them, ‘Who are you?’ They said to him, ‘We are people of such and such a province where you sent to collect our taxes.’ He said to them, ‘So what do you want?’ They said to him, ‘If you please, show us kindness, because we have nothing to hand over.’ He said to them, ‘I will remit half for you.’ While he was [still] coming, the ruffians of the province went out and greeted him about five mil [away]. He said to them, ‘Who are you?’ They said to him, ‘We are people of such and such a province where you sent to collect our taxes, but we don’t have the ability to stand [up to the demand]; if you please, have mercy upon us.’ He said to them, ‘I have already remitted half [your debt], but for your sake I am remitting half of [the remaining] half. While he was [still] coming, all the people of the province came out to him, [both] large and small. He said to them, ‘What do you want?’ They said to him, ‘Our Lord king, we don’t have the ability to remit what we owe you.’ He said to them, ‘I have already remitted half plus half of [the remaining] half, but for your sake I am remitting everything. However, from now on there [begins] a new account (heshbon).’ This king is [the supreme King of kings], the Holy One, blessed be He. The people of his province? These are Israel, who acquire sins during all of the whole year. What does the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He says, ‘Do penance at the beginning of the year.’ So they come in submission on the Day of Atonement, when they humble themselves and do penance. Then the Holy One, blessed be He, forgives them. And what do they do? The eve of Rosh Hashanah, the great ones of the generation fast, and the Holy One, blessed be He, relinquishes [Israel] a third of its sins. And from Rosh Hashanah to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), individuals fast, and the Holy One, blessed be He, relinquishes [another] third of their sins. And on the Day of Atonement, all of Israel fasts and requests mercy, men, women and infants. And [so] the Holy One, blessed be He, relinquishes everything; as it is written (in Leviticus 16:30), ‘As upon this day, there will be atonement for you….’ What does Israel do [then]? They all take their lulavim on the first day of the festival and render praise to the Holy One, blessed be He. Thus He is reconciled to them and forgives them. He says to them, ‘See, I have relinquished all your former sins for you. However, from now on there is a new account (heshbon).’ Thus it is stated (in Lev. 23:40), ‘And you shall take for yourselves on the first day.’ [It is] first for the reckoning (heshbon) of sins.’” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them, “In this world I have told you to make a sukkah in order to pay me my remuneration for what I have done for you. It is so stated (in Lev. 23:42-43), ‘You shall dwell in sukkot for seven days […]. In order that your generations may know that I had [the Children of Israel] dwell in sukkot.’ So I reckon it to your credit, as if you are rendering payment to Me. But in the world to come I will appear over you like a sukkah, as stated (in Is. 4:6), ‘There shall be a sukkah as a shade from the heat by day.’”

(Exod. 16:4:) BEHOLD, I WILL RAIN DOWN BREAD <FROM THE HEAVENS> FOR YOU…. The Holy One said to them: See what the difference is between me and you. You offer me one omer for the whole year, as stated (in Lev. 23:10): YOU SHALL BRING <THE FIRST> SHEAF ('omer) <OF YOUR HARVEST UNTO THE PRIEST>…. But I have given each and every one of you an omer, as stated (concerning the manna in Exod. 16:16): AN OMER PER CAPITA. Furthermore you only offered me one omer a year while I gave you manna every day, as stated (in Exod. 16:4): AND THE PEOPLE SHALL GO OUT TO GATHER [A DAY'S PORTION EVERY DAY].

(Numb. 4:18:) “Do not cut off.” This text is related (to Ps. 33:18), “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him….” The text speaks along many lines of thought.¹²¹Shittim. For this use of the word, Buber, n. 209, cites Lev. R. 34:8. For the other interpretations, see above, Gen. 6:5. For what we need, however, it is speaking about the tribe of Levi.¹²²Numb. R. 5:1. And where is it shown? Where the tribe of Levi is called those who fear the Lord, as stated (in Mal. 2:5), “and I gave them (i.e., life and peace) as well as fear, and he feared Me.” (Ps. 33:19) “On those who wait for His steadfast love,” because they are always waiting for the name of the Holy One, blessed be He. (Ps. 33:19:) “To deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine,” through the twenty-four gifts which the Holy One, blessed be He, has given them.¹²³THal. 2:7-9; BQ 110b (bar.); Hul. 133b (bar.); cf. Hal. 4:9. These are them: ten in the sanctuary, ten within the borders, and four in Jerusalem. The ten in the sanctuary: the sin offering (Lev. 6:17-23; Zev. 5:3), the guilt offering (Lev. 5:14-16, 20-26; 19:20-22; Zev. 5:5), the peace sacrifices and the community peace sacrifices (Lev. 23:19-20; Zev. 5:5), the sin offering of a fowl (Lev. 5:8), the guilt offering for a doubtful sin (Lev. 5:17-19; Zev. 5:5), the leper's log of oil (Lev. 14:12), the two loaves (Lev. 23:17), the shewbread (Exod. 25:30; Lev. 24:5-9), the remnant of the omer (Lev. 23:10-12; Men. 10:4), and the remainder of the meal offering (Lev. 2:3).
The ten within the borders: the terumah (Numb. 18:12), the terumah of the tithe (Numb. 18:25-29), the hallah (Numb. 15:18-21), the first of the shorn wool (Deut. 18:4), the shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach (Deut. 18:3), the redemption of the [first-born] son (Numb. 18:15-16), [the redemption of] a firstling ass (Exod. 13:13), [the payment for] the robbery of a proselyte (Thal. 2:9; Bq 110b; Hul. 133b), things consecrated (Numb. 18:14; Bik. 3:12), and a field of possession (Lev. 27:16-21)
The four in Jerusalem: the firstlings [of animals] (Numb. 18:17-18), the first fruits (Exod. 23:19; Numb. 18:13; Hal. 4:9), the priest's share from the thank-offering ram and from the nazarite ram, the breast of the peace offerings, and the thigh (Exod. 29:27-28; Lev. 7:12-14; 31-34; 10:14-15; Numb. 6:13-20; 18:18), and skins of [burnt, sin, and guilt] offerings (Lev. 7:8; Zev. 12:3)
Behold, these are twenty-four gifts. Ergo (in Ps. 33:19), “and to keep them alive in famine. (Numb. 4:18) “Do not cut off [the tribe of the Kohathite families from the Levites].” The Holy One, blessed be He, foresaw that Korah was going to arise and disagree about the priesthood.¹²⁴Cf. Numb. R. 5:5. The Holy One, blessed be He, said. “I will not destroy the Levites because of Korah.” (Numb. 4:18:) “Do not cut off [the tribe of the Kohathite families from the Levites].” This text is related (to Is. 48:9), “For the sake of My name I will delay My anger, and for My praise I will hold back for you so as not to cut you off.” To what is the matter comparable?¹²⁵Numb. R. 5:6. To a king who had a son that was associated with bandits;¹²⁶Gk.: lestai. and when they were captured, his son was captured with them. The king said, “What shall I do? Shall I execute the robbers? Possibly my son is with them. Instead, for the sake of my son, I will exonerate them for now.” Similarly, the Levites carried the tabernacle. Thus it is stated (in Numb. 7:9), “But to the Children of Kohath he gave no [wagons], because they had the service of the holy.” When the Holy One, blessed be He, saw that Korah and his assembly were going to be opposed to Moses and Aaron, the Holy One, blessed be He, said, “What shall I do with these? To kill them in the desert is not possible.” Why? Because the Holy One, blessed be He, had taken half of His name and bestowed it upon them, the yh (of yhwh) in the Kohathite (hqhty in Numb. 4:18).¹²⁷Numb. R. 5:6, and Yalqut Shim‘oni, Is. 48:9, 326 (466) add that the letters from the divine name appear at the end and the beginning of HQHTY, and Numb. R. explains further that the Holy One added the definite article (H) to the name, Kohathite, for this very reason. It therefore says (in Is. 48:9), “For the sake of My name I will delay¹²⁸Literally: LENGTHEN. This verb may have suggested that the Holy One deliberately lengthened the name, Kohathite, with the addition of the article. My anger….”

(Numb. 4:18:) “Do not cut off.” This text is related (to Ps. 33:18), “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him….” The text speaks along many lines of thought.¹²¹Shittim. For this use of the word, Buber, n. 209, cites Lev. R. 34:8. For the other interpretations, see above, Gen. 6:5. For what we need, however, it is speaking about the tribe of Levi.¹²²Numb. R. 5:1. And where is it shown? Where the tribe of Levi is called those who fear the Lord, as stated (in Mal. 2:5), “and I gave them (i.e., life and peace) as well as fear, and he feared Me.” (Ps. 33:19) “On those who wait for His steadfast love,” because they are always waiting for the name of the Holy One, blessed be He. (Ps. 33:19:) “To deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine,” through the twenty-four gifts which the Holy One, blessed be He, has given them.¹²³THal. 2:7-9; BQ 110b (bar.); Hul. 133b (bar.); cf. Hal. 4:9. These are them: ten in the sanctuary, ten within the borders, and four in Jerusalem. The ten in the sanctuary: the sin offering (Lev. 6:17-23; Zev. 5:3), the guilt offering (Lev. 5:14-16, 20-26; 19:20-22; Zev. 5:5), the peace sacrifices and the community peace sacrifices (Lev. 23:19-20; Zev. 5:5), the sin offering of a fowl (Lev. 5:8), the guilt offering for a doubtful sin (Lev. 5:17-19; Zev. 5:5), the leper's log of oil (Lev. 14:12), the two loaves (Lev. 23:17), the shewbread (Exod. 25:30; Lev. 24:5-9), the remnant of the omer (Lev. 23:10-12; Men. 10:4), and the remainder of the meal offering (Lev. 2:3).
The ten within the borders: the terumah (Numb. 18:12), the terumah of the tithe (Numb. 18:25-29), the hallah (Numb. 15:18-21), the first of the shorn wool (Deut. 18:4), the shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach (Deut. 18:3), the redemption of the [first-born] son (Numb. 18:15-16), [the redemption of] a firstling ass (Exod. 13:13), [the payment for] the robbery of a proselyte (Thal. 2:9; Bq 110b; Hul. 133b), things consecrated (Numb. 18:14; Bik. 3:12), and a field of possession (Lev. 27:16-21)
The four in Jerusalem: the firstlings [of animals] (Numb. 18:17-18), the first fruits (Exod. 23:19; Numb. 18:13; Hal. 4:9), the priest's share from the thank-offering ram and from the nazarite ram, the breast of the peace offerings, and the thigh (Exod. 29:27-28; Lev. 7:12-14; 31-34; 10:14-15; Numb. 6:13-20; 18:18), and skins of [burnt, sin, and guilt] offerings (Lev. 7:8; Zev. 12:3)
Behold, these are twenty-four gifts. Ergo (in Ps. 33:19), “and to keep them alive in famine. (Numb. 4:18) “Do not cut off [the tribe of the Kohathite families from the Levites].” The Holy One, blessed be He, foresaw that Korah was going to arise and disagree about the priesthood.¹²⁴Cf. Numb. R. 5:5. The Holy One, blessed be He, said. “I will not destroy the Levites because of Korah.” (Numb. 4:18:) “Do not cut off [the tribe of the Kohathite families from the Levites].” This text is related (to Is. 48:9), “For the sake of My name I will delay My anger, and for My praise I will hold back for you so as not to cut you off.” To what is the matter comparable?¹²⁵Numb. R. 5:6. To a king who had a son that was associated with bandits;¹²⁶Gk.: lestai. and when they were captured, his son was captured with them. The king said, “What shall I do? Shall I execute the robbers? Possibly my son is with them. Instead, for the sake of my son, I will exonerate them for now.” Similarly, the Levites carried the tabernacle. Thus it is stated (in Numb. 7:9), “But to the Children of Kohath he gave no [wagons], because they had the service of the holy.” When the Holy One, blessed be He, saw that Korah and his assembly were going to be opposed to Moses and Aaron, the Holy One, blessed be He, said, “What shall I do with these? To kill them in the desert is not possible.” Why? Because the Holy One, blessed be He, had taken half of His name and bestowed it upon them, the yh (of yhwh) in the Kohathite (hqhty in Numb. 4:18).¹²⁷Numb. R. 5:6, and Yalqut Shim‘oni, Is. 48:9, 326 (466) add that the letters from the divine name appear at the end and the beginning of HQHTY, and Numb. R. explains further that the Holy One added the definite article (H) to the name, Kohathite, for this very reason. It therefore says (in Is. 48:9), “For the sake of My name I will delay¹²⁸Literally: LENGTHEN. This verb may have suggested that the Holy One deliberately lengthened the name, Kohathite, with the addition of the article. My anger….”

(Numb. 4:18:) “Do not cut off.” This text is related (to Ps. 33:18), “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him….” The text speaks along many lines of thought.¹²¹Shittim. For this use of the word, Buber, n. 209, cites Lev. R. 34:8. For the other interpretations, see above, Gen. 6:5. For what we need, however, it is speaking about the tribe of Levi.¹²²Numb. R. 5:1. And where is it shown? Where the tribe of Levi is called those who fear the Lord, as stated (in Mal. 2:5), “and I gave them (i.e., life and peace) as well as fear, and he feared Me.” (Ps. 33:19) “On those who wait for His steadfast love,” because they are always waiting for the name of the Holy One, blessed be He. (Ps. 33:19:) “To deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine,” through the twenty-four gifts which the Holy One, blessed be He, has given them.¹²³THal. 2:7-9; BQ 110b (bar.); Hul. 133b (bar.); cf. Hal. 4:9. These are them: ten in the sanctuary, ten within the borders, and four in Jerusalem. The ten in the sanctuary: the sin offering (Lev. 6:17-23; Zev. 5:3), the guilt offering (Lev. 5:14-16, 20-26; 19:20-22; Zev. 5:5), the peace sacrifices and the community peace sacrifices (Lev. 23:19-20; Zev. 5:5), the sin offering of a fowl (Lev. 5:8), the guilt offering for a doubtful sin (Lev. 5:17-19; Zev. 5:5), the leper's log of oil (Lev. 14:12), the two loaves (Lev. 23:17), the shewbread (Exod. 25:30; Lev. 24:5-9), the remnant of the omer (Lev. 23:10-12; Men. 10:4), and the remainder of the meal offering (Lev. 2:3).
The ten within the borders: the terumah (Numb. 18:12), the terumah of the tithe (Numb. 18:25-29), the hallah (Numb. 15:18-21), the first of the shorn wool (Deut. 18:4), the shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach (Deut. 18:3), the redemption of the [first-born] son (Numb. 18:15-16), [the redemption of] a firstling ass (Exod. 13:13), [the payment for] the robbery of a proselyte (Thal. 2:9; Bq 110b; Hul. 133b), things consecrated (Numb. 18:14; Bik. 3:12), and a field of possession (Lev. 27:16-21)
The four in Jerusalem: the firstlings [of animals] (Numb. 18:17-18), the first fruits (Exod. 23:19; Numb. 18:13; Hal. 4:9), the priest's share from the thank-offering ram and from the nazarite ram, the breast of the peace offerings, and the thigh (Exod. 29:27-28; Lev. 7:12-14; 31-34; 10:14-15; Numb. 6:13-20; 18:18), and skins of [burnt, sin, and guilt] offerings (Lev. 7:8; Zev. 12:3)
Behold, these are twenty-four gifts. Ergo (in Ps. 33:19), “and to keep them alive in famine. (Numb. 4:18) “Do not cut off [the tribe of the Kohathite families from the Levites].” The Holy One, blessed be He, foresaw that Korah was going to arise and disagree about the priesthood.¹²⁴Cf. Numb. R. 5:5. The Holy One, blessed be He, said. “I will not destroy the Levites because of Korah.” (Numb. 4:18:) “Do not cut off [the tribe of the Kohathite families from the Levites].” This text is related (to Is. 48:9), “For the sake of My name I will delay My anger, and for My praise I will hold back for you so as not to cut you off.” To what is the matter comparable?¹²⁵Numb. R. 5:6. To a king who had a son that was associated with bandits;¹²⁶Gk.: lestai. and when they were captured, his son was captured with them. The king said, “What shall I do? Shall I execute the robbers? Possibly my son is with them. Instead, for the sake of my son, I will exonerate them for now.” Similarly, the Levites carried the tabernacle. Thus it is stated (in Numb. 7:9), “But to the Children of Kohath he gave no [wagons], because they had the service of the holy.” When the Holy One, blessed be He, saw that Korah and his assembly were going to be opposed to Moses and Aaron, the Holy One, blessed be He, said, “What shall I do with these? To kill them in the desert is not possible.” Why? Because the Holy One, blessed be He, had taken half of His name and bestowed it upon them, the yh (of yhwh) in the Kohathite (hqhty in Numb. 4:18).¹²⁷Numb. R. 5:6, and Yalqut Shim‘oni, Is. 48:9, 326 (466) add that the letters from the divine name appear at the end and the beginning of HQHTY, and Numb. R. explains further that the Holy One added the definite article (H) to the name, Kohathite, for this very reason. It therefore says (in Is. 48:9), “For the sake of My name I will delay¹²⁸Literally: LENGTHEN. This verb may have suggested that the Holy One deliberately lengthened the name, Kohathite, with the addition of the article. My anger….”

(Lev. 23:40:) AND YOU SHALL TAKE FOR YOURSELVES ON THE FIRST DAY < BEAUTIFUL TREE FRUIT, BRANCHES OF PALM TREES, BOUGHS OF DENSE TREES, AND WILLOWS OF THE BROOK; AND YOU SHALL REJOICE BEFORE THE LORD YOUR GOD FOR SEVEN DAYS. > This text is related (to Prov. 4:10): HEED, MY CHILD, AND TAKE IN (rt.: LQH) MY WORDS. The Holy One said: I have charged you with a lot concerning acquisitions (rt.: LQH) in order to benefit you.⁹²Tanh., Lev. 8:17; Lev. R. 30:13. I told you (in Numb. 19:2): < SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, > AND LET THEM BRING (rt.: LQH) YOU A RED COW. Was it possibly for my sake? No. < It was > only in order to cleanse you. Is it not so written (in vs. 19): AND THE CLEAN PERSON SHALL SPRINKLE IT [UPON THE UNCLEAN PERSON]? I told you (in Exod. 25:2): < SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL,] AND LET THEM TAKE (rt.: LQH) FOR ME A PRIESTLY SHARE, so that I might dwell among you. It is so stated (in vs. 8): AND LET THEM MAKE ME A SANCTUARY THAT I MAY DWELL AMONG THEM. He, as it were, spoke a difficult thing to them: Take me that I may dwell among you. "And take a priestly share" is not written here, but AND LET THEM TAKE (FOR)⁹³Since “for me” can sometimes be understood as a direct object, the midrash is understanding the verse to mean: LET THEM TAKE ME AS A PRIESTLY SHARE. ME A PRIESTLY SHARE. < It is > I, < whom > you are taking. I said to you (in Exod. 27:20): AND LET THEM BRING UNTO YOU < PURE > OIL OF < BEATEN > OLIVES. Do I need your light? It is simply to preserve your souls, since the soul is likened to a lamp, where it is stated (in Prov. 20:27): A PERSON'S BREATH IS A LAMP OF GOD.⁹⁴The Masoretic Text uses the divine name here. And now when it says (in Lev. 23:40): AND YOU SHALL TAKE FOR YOURSELVES ON THE FIRST DAY, it is not because it is necessary for me, but in order to benefit you.

(Lev. 23:40:) BEAUTIFUL TREE FRUIT, BRANCHES OF PALM TREES, BOUGHS OF DENSE TREES, [AND WILLOWS OF THE BROOK]. What is the nature of these four species?⁹⁵Tanh., Lev. 8:17; Lev. R. 30:12. Some of them produce fruit and some of them do not produce fruit. BEAUTIFUL TREE FRUIT, THE BRANCHES OF THE PALM TREES. These are the righteous, [because they have good works]. BOUGHS OF DENSE TREES AND WILLOWS OF THE BROOK. These are the average Israelites. The Holy One said: [Let them bind them together,] so that all of them become a single group, lest there be a defect among my children. If you have done so, {I will credit them with a reward.} [at that time I will be exalted. And so the prophet says (in Amos 9:6): WHO BUILDS HIS UPPER CHAMBERS IN THE HEAVENS. Now when is he exalted? When they become a single group (agudah), as stated (ibid., cont.): AND FOUNDS HIS CELESTIAL VAULT (agudah) UPON EARTH.]

(Exodus 16:26) "Six days shall you gather it, etc.": We are hereby apprised that the manna does not descend on Sabbath. Whence do we derive (the same for) a festival? From (the superfluous) "Sabbath there will not be (manna) on it." R. Elazar Hamodai says: We are hereby apprised that it does not descend on Sabbath. Whence do we derive that it does not descend on Yom Kippur? (From the fact that) Yom Kippur is referred to as "Sabbath" (viz. Leviticus 23:32).

(Lev. 23:40:) AND YOU SHALL TAKE FOR YOURSELVES. < TAKE (rt.: LQH) implies > by purchase (rt.: LQH), for you are not to persist in stealing it.⁹⁶Tanh., Lev. 8:18; ySuk. 3:1 (53c); Suk. 43a; Lev. R. 30:6; PRK 27:6; cf. Lev. R. 30:5. Then it would turn out that his advocate⁹⁷Gk.: synegoros. has become his accuser.⁹⁸Gk.: kategor.

(Lev. 23:40:) AND YOU SHALL TAKE (rt.: LQH) < FOR YOURSELVES >. {In the name of R. Hiyya he} [R. Hiyya] taught in a baraita: Through buying (MQH) and not through stealing, through buying (MQH) and not gratis. < Such prohibitions serve > to exclude what is borrowed and to exclude what is plundered. A parable: To what is the matter comparable? To a royal agent who went to collect < taxes > in the city. After he had collected them, a certain townsperson found him on the road. {< He was > a bandit.}⁹⁹Gk.: lestes. He beat him and took everything belonging to him plus the collected < tax money > which was in his possession. After some time that townsperson came to be on trial before the governor. He went to hire himself someone who would plead his case. The < tax > collector said to him: What are you doing here? He said to him: There is a lawsuit, and I wish to hire myself someone who will plead my case. He said to him: Give me [that gold and those articles], that baggage¹⁰⁰Lat.: tapeta and Gk.: tapetes (“carpets”), from which comes the English, “tapestries.” which you took from me. Then I will plead your case. < The bandit > said to him: I will do so. He went and gave him that gold and that baggage, < but only > a little < of it >. So he went to him.¹⁰¹Cf. the reading in Codex Vaticanus Ebr. 34: He said to him: What will you give me, if I plead your case? He said to him: You know that I have no gold. He said to him: Then give me the baggage. So he gave him a rug and other garments which he had taken from him. The next day, when he stood before the governor, he said: Do you have someone who is pleading (melamed) your case. He answered and said: Such and such a person. The governor said to him: What case are you making (melamed) for this person? He said to him: My Lord, I am telling the things that this companion of mine did to me. When I went to collect taxes in such and such a city, he rose up against me, robbed me, and took everything that I had. And the things which you see in my hands are some of the things which he returned to me so that I would plead his case. Then they all began to say: Woe to that one, for his advocate has become his accuser. Thus, no one from Israel should give praise with a stolen lulav. {If he does not have one,} [< He does not use one > unless] he buys (rt.: LQH) it for himself with money, as stated (in Lev. 23:40): AND YOU SHALL TAKE (rt.: LQH) FOR YOURSELVES.

[Another interpretation (of Lev. 23:40): AND YOU SHALL TAKE FOR YOURSELVES ON THE FIRST DAY….] This text is related (to Ps. 96:12–13 // I Chron. 16:33): THEN SHALL {THE TREES OF THE FOREST} [ALL FOREST TREES] SHOUT FOR JOY < BEFORE THE LORD, WHEN HE COMES, WHEN HE COMES TO JUDGE THE EARTH. > About whom does the scripture speak? About Israel and about the peoples of the world, when the Holy One judges them on the Day of Atonement. The former and the latter come [for a verdict], but we do not know who will prevail. To what is the matter [comparable]?¹⁰²Tanh., Lev. 18; Lev. R. 30:2; PRK 27:2. To two humans who came before the King for a verdict. Now no one except the king himself knew what the issue was between them. [The king] judged them, but the people did not know who had prevailed against his companion. However, they all know that the one who prevails is the one who leaves with a nut¹⁰³Agoz. Buber, p. 99, n. 190, points out the variant readings for this word in various mss. and parallel texts. He suggests that the reading may be, bayyon, which comes from the Greek baion, and means “palm branch.” Certainly this reading makes more sense in the context here. in his hand. So Israel and the peoples of the world come for a verdict on the Day of Atonement, and the people do not know who is victorious. The Holy One said: Take your lulavim in your hand, so that everyone may know that you have been acquitted in the judgment. Therefore David said (in Ps. 96:12–13; // I Chron. 16:33): THEN SHALL < ALL FOREST TREES > SHOUT FOR JOY < BEFORE THE LORD >…. {When?} (Ibid., cont.:) WHEN HE COMES TO JUDGE THE EARTH. > [When?] On the day of Atonement. What does Israel do? They wait for him four days more in order that everyone may hear that Israel has been acquitted. It is therefore stated (in Lev. 23:40:) AND YOU SHALL TAKE FOR YOURSELVES ON THE FIRST DAY < BEAUTIFUL TREE FRUIT, BRANCHES OF PALM TREES, BOUGHS OF DENSE TREES, AND WILLOWS OF THE BROOK; AND YOU SHALL REJOICE BEFORE THE LORD YOUR GOD FOR SEVEN DAYS. >

And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord. How did he wave it? R. Hama b.Ukba in the name of R.Joshua b. Hanania said: He moved it forward and backward, upward and downward; forward and backward to symbolize that the act was in honor of Him to whom the whole world belongs; upward and downward to symbols that the act was in honor of Him to whom belong the regions on high and the regions below. R. Simon son of R. Joshua said: The movements forward and backward were to counteract the effects of injurious winds; and the movements upward and downwards were to counteract the effect of injurious dews.

[(Lev. 23:40:) AND YOU SHALL TAKE FOR YOURSELVES. This text is related (to Ps. 35:10): ALL MY BONES SHALL SAY: LORD, WHO IS LIKE YOU? David has stated this verse beautifully.¹⁰⁴Tanh., Lev. 8:19; Lev. R. 30:14. You yourself know that the lulav is like a human spine, the myrtle is like the eyes, the willow is like the lips, and the ethrog is like the heart. David said: I have no greater members than these, since they outweigh the whole body (in importance). Ergo (in Ps. 35:10): ALL MY BONES SHALL SAY: LORD, WHO IS LIKE YOU?]

1 "On the seventh month on the first of the month" (Leviticus 23:24): This is [the understanding of] that which is written (Psalms 119:89), "Forever, O Lord, does Your word stand in the Heavens." It was taught in the name of Rabbi Eliezer, "The world was created on the twenty-fifth of Elul." And that of Rav comes out like that which Rabbi Eliezer taught. As we recite with the shofar blows of Rav, "This day is the beginning of Your works, a memorial for the first day, 'For it is a statute for Israel, etc.' (Psalms 81:5); and about the provinces it is said, which for the sword and which for peace, which for hunger and which for satiation; and for the creatures - on it are they remembered, to remember them for life or for death." It comes out that you say on Rosh Hashanah (the first of Tishrei in the first year) in the first hour, [man's creation] rose in thought; in the second, [God] consulted with the angels; in the third, He gathered his dirt; in the fourth, He kneaded it; in the fifth, He weaved it; in the sixth, He made it a form; in the seventh, He blew breath into it; in the eighth, He placed him into the Garden [of Eden]; in the ninth, he was commanded [about the fruit]; in the tenth, he transgressed; in the eleventh, he was judged; in the twelfth, he was pardoned. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Adam, "This is a sign for your children: In the same way that you stood in front of Me in judgement on this day and were pardoned, so too in the future will your children stand in front of Me in judgement on this day and be pardoned in front of Me." When? "On the seventh month on the first of the month"

(Lev. 23:40:) AND YOU SHALL TAKE FOR YOURSELVES. After all the wisdom which is ascribed to Solomon (in I Kings 5:10–11 [4:31–32]): [AND SOLOMON'S WISDOM WAS GREATER < THAN THE WISDOM OF ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE EAST >…. ] FOR HE WAS THE WISEST OF ALL PEOPLE; he forsook all these things (i.e., astrology, ornithomancy, and the other elements of eastern wisdom)¹⁰⁵See PRK 4:3; PR 14:9. and sat wondering about these four species.¹⁰⁶Tanh., Lev. 8:20; Lev. R. 30:15. This text is related (to Prov. 30:18): THREE THINGS ARE TOO DIFFICULT FOR ME, [< i.e., > Paschal lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs; AND FOUR I DO NOT UNDERSTAND.] These are the four species which are in the lulav, which {he was unable} [he sought] to understand. Now (in Lev. 23:40) if you say that the BEAUTIFUL TREE FRUIT is an ethrog, all trees bear fruit. (Ibid., cont.:) BRANCHES OF PALM TREES. One needs to take two branches [and offer praise with them], but one only takes the heart of the palm, i.e., the lulav. (Ibid., cont.:) BOUGHS OF DENSE TREES. Who says to you that it is the myrtle, since it is written in another place (i.e., in Neh. 8:15): GO OUT TO THE MOUNTAIN AND BRING LEAFY BRANCHES OF OLIVE TREES, [LEAFY BRANCHES OF OIL-GIVING TREES, LEAFY BRANCHES OF MYRTLE, LEAFY BRANCHES OF PALMS, AND LEAFY BRANCHES OF DENSE TREES]? (Lev. 23:40, cont.:) AND WILLOWS OF THE BROOK; < yet > all the trees grow in the water. (Prov. 30:18:) AND FOUR I DO NOT UNDERSTAND. It also says in another place (i.e., in Prov. 30:29): THREE THINGS HAVE A STATELY STRIDE, AND FOUR HAVE A STATELY WALK. These are the four species which are in the lulav, for each and every person from Israel goes running to buy one of them for himself in order to give praise to the Lord. < Doing so > is acceptable to him and makes atonement to him for all one's sins. A STATELY WALK: The one who sees these same four species, rejoices over them, and they loom large before the Holy One.¹⁰⁷Cf. the parallel in Lev. R. 30:15, which expands the final clause with the following: “And although they seem small in human eyes, they loom large before the Holy One.” (Prov. 30:24:) FOUR THINGS ARE TINY ON EARTH. They are these four species. (Ibid., cont.:) BUT THEY ARE THE WISEST OF THE WISE, [because¹⁰⁸The section marked by Buber’s outer brackets extends to the end of the next paragraph. they deal wisely, when they plead merit {and wisdom} [and love] before the one who spoke, and the world came into being.

The sin offering (Lev. 6:17-23; Zev. 5:3),
The guilt offering (Lev. 5:14-16, 20-26; 19:20-22; Zev. 5:5),
The community peace sacrifices (Lev. 23:19-20; Zev. 5:5),
The sin offering of a fowl (Lev. 5:8),
The guilt offering for a doubtful sin (Lev. 5:17-19; Zev. 5:5),
The leper's log of oil (Lev. 14:12),
The two loaves (Lev. 23:17),
The shewbread (Exod. 25:30; Lev. 24:5-9),
The remnant of the omer (Lev. 23:10-12; Men. 10:4), and
The remainder of the meal offering (Lev. 2:3).

The sin offering (Lev. 6:17-23; Zev. 5:3),
The guilt offering (Lev. 5:14-16, 20-26; 19:20-22; Zev. 5:5),
The community peace sacrifices (Lev. 23:19-20; Zev. 5:5),
The sin offering of a fowl (Lev. 5:8),
The guilt offering for a doubtful sin (Lev. 5:17-19; Zev. 5:5),
The leper's log of oil (Lev. 14:12),
The two loaves (Lev. 23:17),
The shewbread (Exod. 25:30; Lev. 24:5-9),
The remnant of the omer (Lev. 23:10-12; Men. 10:4), and
The remainder of the meal offering (Lev. 2:3).

The sin offering (Lev. 6:17-23; Zev. 5:3),
The guilt offering (Lev. 5:14-16, 20-26; 19:20-22; Zev. 5:5),
The community peace sacrifices (Lev. 23:19-20; Zev. 5:5),
The sin offering of a fowl (Lev. 5:8),
The guilt offering for a doubtful sin (Lev. 5:17-19; Zev. 5:5),
The leper's log of oil (Lev. 14:12),
The two loaves (Lev. 23:17),
The shewbread (Exod. 25:30; Lev. 24:5-9),
The remnant of the omer (Lev. 23:10-12; Men. 10:4), and
The remainder of the meal offering (Lev. 2:3).

2 Rabbi Nachman opened [his discourse]: "And you, have no fear, My servant Yaakov" (Jeremiah 30:10) is speaking about Yaakov, as it is written (Genesis 28:12), "He had a dream; a stairway was set on the ground [...]." Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachman said, "These [angels that Yaakov saw in the dream] are the ministering angels of the nations of the world." For Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachman said, "It teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, showed Yaakov our father, the ministering angel of Babylonia ascend seventy rungs; of Medea, thirty-five rungs; of Greece, one hundred and eighty rungs; and of Edom [he saw] ascend and did not know how many. At that time, Yaakov our father feared. He said, 'Is it possible that this one has no descent?' The Holy One, blessed be He, said, '"And you, have no fear, My servant Yaakov"; even if he comes up and sits with Me, I will bring him down from there.' This is [the understanding of] that which is written (Obadiah 1:4), 'Should you nest as high as the eagle, should your eyrie be lodged among the stars; even from there I will pull you down.'" Rabbi Berakhiah, Rabbi Chelbo and Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai said in the name of Rabbi Meir, "It teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, showed Yaakov the ministering angel of Babylonia ascend and descend; of Medea ascend and descend; of Greece ascend and descend; of Edom ascend and descend. The Holy One, blessed be He said to Yaakov, 'You should also ascend.' At that time, Yaakov our father feared and said, 'Lest, God forbid, just like there was a descent for these, for me too [will there be one].' The Holy One, blessed be He said to him, '"And you, have no fear." If you ascend, you will not ever have a descent.' [But] he did not trust, and did not ascend." Rabbi Berakhiah, Rabbi Chelbo said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai [that] Rabbi Meir expounded, "'Nonetheless, they went on sinning and had no faith in His wonders' (Psalms 78:32). This [refers to] our father Yaakov who did not trust and did not ascend. The Holy One, blessed be He, said, 'If you had trusted and ascended, you would not have descended again. But now that you did not trust and did not ascend, your children will in the future be subjugated in this world with taxes, crop-taxes, penalties and poll-taxes to these four empires. At that time, Yaakov feared. He said in front of the Holy One, blessed be He, 'Master of the world, is it possible it is forever?' He said to him, 'Be not dismayed, Israel, for I will deliver you from far away' (Jeremiah 30:11)." It is like you say (Isaiah 39:3), "They have come to me [...], from Babylon.” "Your folk from their land of captivity" (Jeremiah 30:10), from Gaul, and Spain and its fellows; "and Yaakov shall return," from Babylonia; "and have calm," from Medea; "and quiet," from Greece; "with none troubling," from Edom. "For I will finish all the nations among which I have dispersed you" (Jeremiah 30:11) - the nations of the world that finish their fields, I will finish; but Israel who does not finish their fields - as you say (Leviticus 23:22), "you shall not finish the corner of your field" - "I will not finish; but I will chastise you in measure" - to chastise you with afflictions in this world in order to cleanse you for the future to come. When? In the seventh month.

2 Rabbi Nachman opened [his discourse]: "And you, have no fear, My servant Yaakov" (Jeremiah 30:10) is speaking about Yaakov, as it is written (Genesis 28:12), "He had a dream; a stairway was set on the ground [...]." Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachman said, "These [angels that Yaakov saw in the dream] are the ministering angels of the nations of the world." For Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachman said, "It teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, showed Yaakov our father, the ministering angel of Babylonia ascend seventy rungs; of Medea, thirty-five rungs; of Greece, one hundred and eighty rungs; and of Edom [he saw] ascend and did not know how many. At that time, Yaakov our father feared. He said, 'Is it possible that this one has no descent?' The Holy One, blessed be He, said, '"And you, have no fear, My servant Yaakov"; even if he comes up and sits with Me, I will bring him down from there.' This is [the understanding of] that which is written (Obadiah 1:4), 'Should you nest as high as the eagle, should your eyrie be lodged among the stars; even from there I will pull you down.'" Rabbi Berakhiah, Rabbi Chelbo and Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai said in the name of Rabbi Meir, "It teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, showed Yaakov the ministering angel of Babylonia ascend and descend; of Medea ascend and descend; of Greece ascend and descend; of Edom ascend and descend. The Holy One, blessed be He said to Yaakov, 'You should also ascend.' At that time, Yaakov our father feared and said, 'Lest, God forbid, just like there was a descent for these, for me too [will there be one].' The Holy One, blessed be He said to him, '"And you, have no fear." If you ascend, you will not ever have a descent.' [But] he did not trust, and did not ascend." Rabbi Berakhiah, Rabbi Chelbo said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai [that] Rabbi Meir expounded, "'Nonetheless, they went on sinning and had no faith in His wonders' (Psalms 78:32). This [refers to] our father Yaakov who did not trust and did not ascend. The Holy One, blessed be He, said, 'If you had trusted and ascended, you would not have descended again. But now that you did not trust and did not ascend, your children will in the future be subjugated in this world with taxes, crop-taxes, penalties and poll-taxes to these four empires. At that time, Yaakov feared. He said in front of the Holy One, blessed be He, 'Master of the world, is it possible it is forever?' He said to him, 'Be not dismayed, Israel, for I will deliver you from far away' (Jeremiah 30:11)." It is like you say (Isaiah 39:3), "They have come to me [...], from Babylon.” "Your folk from their land of captivity" (Jeremiah 30:10), from Gaul, and Spain and its fellows; "and Yaakov shall return," from Babylonia; "and have calm," from Medea; "and quiet," from Greece; "with none troubling," from Edom. "For I will finish all the nations among which I have dispersed you" (Jeremiah 30:11) - the nations of the world that finish their fields, I will finish; but Israel who does not finish their fields - as you say (Leviticus 23:22), "you shall not finish the corner of your field" - "I will not finish; but I will chastise you in measure" - to chastise you with afflictions in this world in order to cleanse you for the future to come. When? In the seventh month.

Rabban Gamaliel said: Abraham sent and called for Shem, the son of Noah, and he circumcised the flesh of the foreskin of our father Abraham, and the flesh of the foreskin of Ishmael his son, as it is said, "In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son" (Gen. 17:26). "In the selfsame day" (means) in the might of the sun at midday. Not only that, but (it indicates) the tenth day of the month, the Day of Atonement. It is written in connection with the Day of Atonement, "Ye shall do no manner of work on that selfsame day, for it is a day of atonement" (Lev. 23:28); and in the present instance the text says, "In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised" (Gen. 17:26). Know then that on the Day of Atonement Abraham our father was circumcised. Every year the Holy One, blessed be He, sees the blood of our father Abraham's circumcision, and He forgives all the sins of Israel, as it is said, "For on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you" (Lev. 16:30). In that place where Abraham was circumcised and his blood remained, there the altar was built, and therefore, "And all the blood thereof shall he pour out at the base of the altar" (Lev. 4:30). (It says also), "I said unto thee, In thy blood, live; yea, I said unto thee, In thy blood, live" (Ezek. 16:6).

3. Rabbi Yehuda son of Rabbi Nachman opened and said, "God ascends in acclamation (lit. in truah), The Lord in the call of the shofar" (Psalms 47:6). In the moment when the Holy Blessing One sits on the Throne of Judgement, God ascends with judgement. What happens? God ascends with acclimation, at the time when Israel takes their shofarot and sounds them before the Holy Blessing One, God stands up from the Throne of Judgement and sits on the Throne of Mercy, as it says, "Adonai in the call of the shofar," And they are filled with mercy and God has mercy on them, and switches their treatment from the attribute of judgement to the attribute of mercy. When? In the seventh month...

4 Rabbi Yoshayah opened [his discourse]: "Happy is the people who know the joyful blow; O Lord, they walk in the light of Your presence" (Psalms 89:16). Rabbi Abahu explained the Scripture [here] to be about the five elders that convene to make the year a leap year. What does the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He leaves His court above and descends and contracts His Divine Presence among them below. The ministering angels [then] say, "Where is the mighty One, where is the mighty One? Where is God, where is God - the One about whom it is written (Psalms 89:8), 'God who is lauded in the council of great holy ones,' leaves His court and contracts His Divine Presence among them below?" Why so much? So that if they err in a matter of law, the Holy One, blessed be He, enlightens their faces [to correct it]. This is [the understanding] of "they walk in the light of Your presence." Rabbi Yoshayah said, "It is written, 'Happy is the people who know the joyful blow.' And do the nations of the world not know how to blow? How many horns, and bugles and trumpets do they have? And you said, 'Happy is the people who know the joyful blow?' Rather it is that they know how to sway their Creator with the blow; and He stands up from His Throne of judgement and [moves] to the Throne of mercy and is filled up with mercy upon them. Then He reverses His attribute of judgement to the attribute of mercy. When? In the seventh month.

5 Rabbi Berakhiah opened [his discourse] in the name of Rabbi Yirmiyah: "The path of life leads upward for an intelligent man" (Proverbs 15:24) - the path of life is nothing but Torah, as you say (Proverbs 3:18), "She is a tree of life for those who grasp her." Another interpretation of "The path of life leads upward for an intelligent man" - the path of life is nothing but afflictions, as you say (Proverbs 6:23), "and the path of life is the rebuke that disciplines." "Leads upwards for an intelligent man" - for one who looks at the commandments of the Torah. What is written above the matter? "You shall not finish the corner of your field" (Leviticus 23:22).

6 Rabbi Berakhiah opened [his discourse]: "Blow the horn (shofar) on the new moon, [on the covered (moon) for our festival day]." (Psalms 81:4). And is it not that all the new moons only become months when they are covered; and all the months are only covered for our festival day; and is Nissan not a month that is covered and has a festival of its own? Rather which month has a new moon that is covered and has a festival, and its festival is on the day [of the new moon]? You only find this in the month of Tishrei. On this month, rejuvenate your deeds with the shofar; on this month, improve (shapru) your deeds. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel, "If you have improved your deeds, I will surely do like this shofar for you: Just like this shofar takes in [air] on this [side] and releases [it] on that [side], so too will I stand up from the throne of justice and sit on the throne of mercy and reverse the trait of justice for you into the trait of mercy." When? In the seventh month.

7 Rabbi Levi opened [his discourse] in the name of Rabbi Chaninah: "Thus said the Lord your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, I the Lord am your God, instructing (melamed) you for [your] benefit." (Isaiah 48:17). He disciplines you like that goad disciplines that cow. Three names are applied to it (i.e., to a goad), malmad, mardea and darban. Malmad, because it teaches (melamed) the cow to plow, so that [the land] gives life to its owner. Mardea, because it teaches knowledge (moreh daat) to the cow. Darban, because it teaches understanding (binah) to the cow. The Holy One, blessed be He, said, "And is it not that if a man makes a goad for his cow, all the more [should he do] so for his evil impulse that [tries] to remove him from life in the this world and the next. "Guiding you in the way you should go" (Isaiah 48:17): Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Chama beRabbi Chaninah, "[There is a relevant] parable of a son of kings who had a trial in front of his father. His father said to him, 'If you seek to be rendered innocent in front of me in the trial on this day, appoint defender x, and you will be rendered innocent in front of me.' So did the Holy One, blessed be He, say to Israel, 'My children, If you seek to be rendered innocent in front of Me on this day, mention the merit of the forefathers and you will be rendered innocent in front of Me in the trial.' 'The first (literally, one)' (Leviticus 23:24) - that is [a reference to] Avraham, as it is stated (Ezekiel 33:24), 'Avraham was one.' 'A memorial of blowing' - that is [a reference to] Yitschak, as it is stated (Genesis 22:23), 'he saw and behold, a ram.' 'A holy convocation (mikra)' this is [a reference to] Yaakov, as it is stated (Isaiah 48:12), 'Listen to me, Yaakov and Yisrael whom I have called (mekoraee).' 'And when should you mention the merit of the forefathers and be rendered innocent in front of Me in the trial? In the seventh month.'"

8 Rabbi Chiya bar Abba opened [his discourse] in the name of Rabbi Levi: "But men are mere breath; mortals, illusion; placed on a scale all together, they weigh even less than a breath" (Psalms 62:10). It is customary in the world that the creatures say, "Man x will marry y," "But men are mere breath"; "Miss a will marry b," "mortals, illusion; [...] all together less than a breath." Rabbi Chiya said, "Before they are made into vapor in the innards of their mothers, they are together (already matched)." Rabbi Nachman said, "For all the vapors and the deceptions that the children of Avraham our father do in this world - for all of them, he is worthy to atone. This is [the understanding of] that which is written (Joshua 14:15), 'the great man of the giants.'" "Weighed in the scales" - it is atoned for you in the scales, in the month the constellation of which is Scales (Libra). And which? It is the month of Tishrei. Forgive (tishrei), release and atone for the debts of Your people. When? In the seventh month. Another interpretation: "In the seventh (shevii) month," which is the most sated (mesuba) of all. The wine vats are in withit, the blessings are within it, [Yom] Kippur is within it, the sukkah (hut) is within it, the palm branch (lulav) and willow are within it.

9 .....Rabbi Bibei bar Aba in the name of Rabbi Yohanan said: Abraham rose in prayer and supplication before the Holy Blessed One and said, “Master of the Universe! It is revealed and known before You that at the time You said to me “Take your son, your only one,” it was in my heart to reply against You, and I had what to say in my heart: ‘Earlier You said to me ‘it is through Isaac that offspring shall be continued for you.’ But now You say to me, ‘offer him there as a burnt-offering!’ So, just as I could have replied against You, but I suppressed my desire and did not argue with You…so too, when the children of Isaac come into transgressions and bad deeds, keep in mind for them the binding of Isaac their father, and rise from the seat of judgment to the seat of mercy and be filled with mercy for them, and be merciful to them and turn the quality of judgment to the quality of mercy. When? In the seventh month.

10 "And Avraham lifted his eyes and saw after it got stuck by its horns, behold a ram" (Genesis 22:13). [This] teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, showed Avraham our father, the ram separated from one grove and get entangled in another grove. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Avraham, "So in the future will your children be stuck in iniquities and mired in troubles. But in the end, they will be redeemed by the horns of the ram. This is the [understanding of] that which is written (Zecahriah 9:14), "and the Lord, God, will blast with the shofar." Rabbi Huna beRabbi Yitschak said, "[This] teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, showed Abraham the ram separated from one grove and get entangled in another grove. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Avraham, "So in the future will your children be stuck in the nations and entangled by troubles, and going from one empire to [another] - from Babylonia to Medea, from Medea to Greece, from Greece to Edom. But their end is to be redeemed by the horns of the ram. This is the [understanding of] that which is written (Zecahriah 9:14), 'And the Lord will manifest Himself to them, and His arrows shall flash like lightning; etc., will blast with the shofar.'" Rabbi Abba the son of Rav Papei and Rabbi Yehoshua of Sakhnin said in the name of Rabbi Levi, "All of the days of the year, Israel is involved in their work; but on Rosh Hashanah they take their shofars and blast in front of the Holy One, blessed be He; and He stands up from His Throne of judgement and [moves] to the Throne of mercy and is filled up with mercy upon them." When? In the seventh month.

11 All the sevenths are always beloved. Above the seventh is beloved: Skies, skies of the skies, firmament, heavens, celestial realm, abode, and clouds. And it is written (Psalms 68:5), "extol Him who rides the clouds; the Lord is His name." In the lands, the seventh is beloved: Earth, ground, globe, valley, wilderness, oblivion and world. And it is written (Psalms 9:9), "And He judges the world with righteousness, judges the peoples with equity." In the generations, the seventh is beloved: Adam, Shet, Enosh, Keinan, Mahalalel, Yered and Chanoch. And it is written (Genesis 5:25), "And Chanoch walked with God." In the forefathers, the seventh is beloved: Avraham, Yitschak, Yaakov, Levi, Kehat, Amram and Moshe. And it is written (Exodus 19:3), "And Moshe ascended to God." In sons, the seventh is beloved, as it is stated (I Chronicles 2:15), "David was the seventh." In kings, the seventh is beloved: Shaul, Ish-boshet, David, Shlomo, Rechavam, Aviyah and Asa. And it is written (II Chronicles 14:10), "And Asa called out to the Lord." In years, the seventh is beloved, as it is stated (Exodus 23.11), "But in the seventh you shall let it rest and lie fallow." In sabbatical years, the seventh is beloved, as it is stated (Leviticus 25:10), "And you shall sanctify the fiftieth year." In days, the seventh is beloved, as it is stated (Genesis 2:3), "And God blessed the seventh day." In months, the seventh is beloved, as it is stated (Leviticus 23:24), "In the seventh month on the first day."

12 Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish were sitting and having difficulties and saying, "We heave learned [regarding] Rosh Hashanah that comes out to be on Shabbat, we blow in the Temple, but not in the country. If it is the word of the Torah, [blowing the shofar] should override [Shabbat even with]in the borders; if it is not the word of the Torah (but merely rabbinic), it should not override [it] even in the Temple." While they were sitting and having difficulties, Kahana passed by. They said, "The author of the teaching came. Let us go and ask him." They went and asked him. He said to [them], "One Scripture (Leviticus 23:24) states, 'a memorial of blowing'; and another Scripture (Numbers 29:1) states, 'it shall be a day of blowing for you.' How is this? When it comes on Shabbat, it is 'a memorial of blowing.' We mention (remember) [it], but we do not blow." Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai said, "Let it be overridden in the Temple, as they know the time of the new moon (and will be blowing on the right day); but let it not be overridden in the country, as they do not know the time of the new moon." For Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai said, "'It shall be a day of blowing for you. And you shall make a fire-offering' (Numbers 29:1-2) - in the place that they are sacrificing." Rabbi Tachlifa [of] Caesarea said, "In all of the additional offerings, it is written, 'And you shall offer'; but here it is written, 'And you shall make a fire-offering.' How is this? The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel, 'My children, I will count it for you as if you were made in front of Me today; as if I created you [as] a new creature today.' This is [the understanding of] that which is written (Isaiah 66:22), 'For as the new heaven and the new earth.'"

"And you shall take (acquire) for yourselves on the first day" (Leviticus 23:40). Rabbi Abba bar Kahana opened [his discourse]: "'Accept my discipline rather than silver' - accept the discipline of Torah rather than silver. 'Why do you weigh money for what is not bread' (Isaiah 55:2) - why are you weighing money for the Children of Esav for what is not bread? Since you did not sate yourselves with the bread of Torah. 'Your toil is for what does not satisfy' (Isaiah 55:2) - why are you toiling, and the nations of the world satiated without satiation? Since you did not satiate yourselves from the wine of Torah, as it is written (Proverbs 9:5), 'and drink the wine that I have mixed.'" Rabbi Berakhiah and Rabbi Chiya his father said in the name of Rabbi Yose ben Nehoria, "It is written (Jeremiah 30:20), 'And I will remember all who press him' - even charity collectors - except for the wage of scribes and teachers of Mishnah who only take the wage of their idleness alone. But there is no creature that can give the wage of one thing of the Torah [commensurate to] its reward." It was taught, "The sustenance of a man is fixed from Rosh Hashanah, except for what he expends [for] Shabbat, holidays, Rosh Chodesh and what the infants take to the house of their teacher - if he adds [to this], it is added to him; if he lessens, it is lessened from him." Rabbi Yochanan was travelling, he left from Tiveria [to go] to Tsipporin, and Rabbi Chiya bar Abba was helping him. They reached a plot of farmland. [Rabbi Yochanan] said, "This farmland was mine, but I sold it in order to acquire Torah." They reached one that was a vineyard. He said, "This vineyard was mine, but I sold it in order to acquire Torah." They reached one that was an olive grove. He said, "This olive grove was mine, but I sold it in order to acquire Torah." Rabbi Chiya started to cry. Rabbi Yochanan said, "Why are you crying?" He said to him, "Since you did not leave anything for your old age." He said to him, "Is what I did light in your eyes, that I sold something created in six days and purchased something that was given over forty days, as it is stated (Exodus 34:28), 'And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights'; and it is written (Deuteronomy 9:9), 'and I dwelt on the mountain forty days and forty nights.'" When Rabbi Yochanan [died], his generation read about him (Song of Songs 8:7), "if a man offered all the wealth of his home for love" - as Rabbi Yochanan loved the Torah - "he would surely be scorned." When Rabbi Hoshaya, the man of Tirya [died], they saw his bier flying in the air; and his generation read about him (Song of Songs 8:7), "if a man offered all the wealth of his home for love" - as the Holy One, blessed be He, loved Abba Hoshaya, the man of Tirya - "he would surely be scorned." When Rabbi Elazar beRabbi Shimon [died], his generation read about him (Song of Songs 3:6), "Who is she that comes up from the desert like columns of smoke, in clouds of myrrh and frankincense, from all the powders of the merchant?" What is [the understanding of] "from all the powders of the merchant?" Rather [it is] since he read and studied, was a lyricist and an orator. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said "You learn the reward of purchasing from the reward of purchasing: About Egypt, it is written (Exodus 12:22), 'And acquire a bunch of hyssop.' What is its price? Four small coins. But it caused Israel to possess the spoils of the [Reed Sea], the spoils of Sichon and Og and the spoils of [the] thirty-one kings [of Canaan]. All the more so [is this true] of a lulav, which can become a man's for a little money and has several commandments with it. Hence Moshe warns Israel and says to them (Leviticus 23:40), 'And you shall take (acquire) for yourselves on the first day.'"

(Lev. 23:40:) AND YOU SHALL TAKE FOR YOURSELVES ON THE FIRST DAY. And even on the Sabbath?¹⁰⁹Tanh., Lev. R. 8:21; see Lev. 30:8; PRK 27:8. {During¹¹⁰The section within the outer braces includes the rest of the paragraph. the time that the Temple was standing, < the people > took up < their lulavim on the Sabbath >, but now the {earlier} [later] sages have decreed for them not to take up < lulavim > on the Sabbath, lest one goes to the legal expert to learn < about the matter >, and he causes him to transgress the four cubits < authorized > by permission of the Rabbis.¹¹¹For other reasoning behind the ruling, cf. Suk. 43a. The same also < holds true > in regard to a shophar and a scroll.}

Another interpretation of, "And you shall take for yourselves" (Leviticus 23:40): This is [the understanding of] that which is written (Psalms 16:11), "You will inform me the path of life, complete joy." David said in front of the Holy One, blessed be He, "Teach me through which gate it is straight to life in the world to come." Rabbi Yudan said, "The Holy One, blessed be He, said to David, 'If you need life, you need afflictions, as it is written, "And the path of life is the rebuke that disciplines."'" "Complete joy (literally, satiation of joys)" - He has satiated us with five joys: Scripture, Mishna, Mishnah, Talmud, Tosefta, and aggadot. Another interpretation of "complete (sova) joy" (Psalms 16:11) - these are the seven (sheva) groups of the righteous that will greet the face of the Divine Presence in the future. And their faces are similar to the sun, the moon, the firmament, the stars, lightning, lilies and the pure menorah that was in the Temple. From where [do we know] the sun? Since it is stated (Song of Songs 6:10), "radiant as the sun." From where [do we know] the moon? Since it is stated (Song of Songs 6:10), "beautiful as the moon." From where [do we know] the firmament? Since it is stated (Daniel 12:3), "And the knowledgeable will be radiant like the bright firmament." From where [do we know] the stars? Since it is stated (Daniel 12:3), "and those who lead the many to righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever." From where [do we know] lightning? Since it is stated (Nahum 2:5), "they appear like torches, they race like lightning." From where [do we know] lilies? Since it is stated (Psalms 45:11), "For the choirmaster; upon lilies." From where [do we know] the pure menorah? Since it is stated (Zechariah 4:2), "He said to me, 'What do you see?' And I said, 'I see a menorah all of gold.'" "Pleasant things are ever in Your right hand" (Psalms 16:11). And who will inform us which group are the most beloved and pleasant among them? Two Amoraiam (scholars of the Talmudic period) [differed about this]. One said, "That is [the one] that comes with the power of Torah and the power of [the] commandments." And the other said, "Those are the scribes and the teachers of Mishnah who teach infants truthfully and will stand in the future in the right hand of the Holy One, blessed be He." This is [the understanding of] that which is written, 'Pleasant things are ever in Your right hand.'" Another interpretation of "Complete (sova) joy" (Psalms 16:11) - these are the seven (sheva) commandments of the festival, and these are them: The four species that are in the lulav, the sukkah (hut), the festival offering and the offering of joy. If there is an offering of joy, why is there a festival offering; and if there is a festival offering, why is there an offering of joy? Rabbi Avin said, "[There is a relevant] parable about two that went into a judge and we do not know who was victorious. Rather we know that the one that [comes out] carrying a palm branch is the winner. So [too] Israel and the nations of the world come and prosecute [each other] before the Holy One, blessed be He, on Rosh Hashanah and we do not know who won. Rather when we see that Israel is coming out from in front of the Holy One, blessed be He, with their lulavs and citrons in their hands, we know that Israel are the winners (and that creates a need to offer an offering of joy, as well as the holiday offering). Hence, Moshe warns Israel and says to them (Leviticus 23:40), 'And you shall take for yourselves.'"

(Lev. 23:40:) ON THE FIRST DAY. Is it the first < day >?¹¹²Tanh., Lev. 8:22; Lev. R. 30:7; PRK 27:7. Is it not the fifteenth day? So how is it the first? < It is > first for the reckoning (heshbon) of sins. R. Mani and R. Joshua of Sikhnin in the name of R. Levi: A parable: To what is the matter comparable?¹¹³Eccl. R. 9:7:1. Cf. Mark 12:1–9//Matthew 21:33–41 // Luke 20:9–16; also Luke 14:31–32. To a province which owed back taxes¹¹⁴Gk.: loipas. to the king. When the king sent to collect < the sum >, they did not hand it over, because the bill was large. So it happened the first time, and a second time; for when he sent < for it >, they did not hand it over. What did the king do? He said to his courtiers:¹¹⁵Literally, “children of the palace (palation).” Cf. Lat.: palatium; Gk: palation. [Arise and let us go to them.] While they were traveling about ten miles¹¹⁶Milin; cf. Lat.: mille passus. < away >, the people of the province heard < what was happening >. What did they do? The nobles of the province began to go to a meeting¹¹⁷Gk.: apante. with the king. He said to them: Who are you? They said to him: We are people of such and such a province where you sent to collect our taxes. He said to them: So what do you want? They said to him: If you please, show us mercy, because we have nothing to hand over. He said to them: I will remit half for you. While he was < still > coming, the {hoodlums} [middle class] of the province went out and greeted him about {ten} [five] miles < away >. He said to them: Who are you? They said to him: We are people of such and such a province. He said to them: What would you want? They said to him: If you please, Have mercy upon us. He said to them: I have already remitted half < your debt >, but for your sake I am remitting half of < the remaining > half. While he [was < still > on the road], all the people of the province came out. He said to them: Now what do you want? They said to him: O our Lord King, we have nothing to remit. Have mercy on us. He said to them: I have already remitted half plus half of < the remaining > half, but for your sake I am remitting everything. However, from now on there is a new account (heshbon). This king is [the Supreme King of Kings], the Holy One. The people of his province? These are Israel, who acquire sins during all of the whole year. What does the Holy One do? He says: Do penance at the beginning of the year. So they come in submission on the Day of Atonement, when they humble themselves and do penance. Then the Holy One forgives them everything. So during Tabernacles they all take their lulavim on the first day of the festival and render praise to the Holy One. Thus he is reconciled to them and forgives them. He says to them: See, I have waived all your former sins for you. [However, from now on there is a new account (heshbon). Thus it is stated (in Lev. 23:40): AND YOU SHALL TAKE FOR YOURSELVES ON THE FIRST DAY. < It is > first for the reckoning (heshbon) of sins.] The Holy One said to them: In this world I have told you to make a sukkah in order to pay me my remuneration for what I have done for you. It is so stated (in Lev. 23:42–43): [YOU SHALL DWELL IN SUKKOT FOR SEVEN DAYS…,] < IN ORDER THAT YOUR GENERATIONS MAY KNOW > THAT I HAD THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DWELL IN SUKKOT. So I reckon it to your credit, as if you are rendering payment to me. But in the world to come I will appear over you like a sukkah, as stated (in Is. 4:6): THERE SHALL BE A SUKKAH AS A SHADE FROM THE HEAT BY DAY….

(Lev. 23:40:) ON THE FIRST DAY. Is it the first < day >?¹¹²Tanh., Lev. 8:22; Lev. R. 30:7; PRK 27:7. Is it not the fifteenth day? So how is it the first? < It is > first for the reckoning (heshbon) of sins. R. Mani and R. Joshua of Sikhnin in the name of R. Levi: A parable: To what is the matter comparable?¹¹³Eccl. R. 9:7:1. Cf. Mark 12:1–9//Matthew 21:33–41 // Luke 20:9–16; also Luke 14:31–32. To a province which owed back taxes¹¹⁴Gk.: loipas. to the king. When the king sent to collect < the sum >, they did not hand it over, because the bill was large. So it happened the first time, and a second time; for when he sent < for it >, they did not hand it over. What did the king do? He said to his courtiers:¹¹⁵Literally, “children of the palace (palation).” Cf. Lat.: palatium; Gk: palation. [Arise and let us go to them.] While they were traveling about ten miles¹¹⁶Milin; cf. Lat.: mille passus. < away >, the people of the province heard < what was happening >. What did they do? The nobles of the province began to go to a meeting¹¹⁷Gk.: apante. with the king. He said to them: Who are you? They said to him: We are people of such and such a province where you sent to collect our taxes. He said to them: So what do you want? They said to him: If you please, show us mercy, because we have nothing to hand over. He said to them: I will remit half for you. While he was < still > coming, the {hoodlums} [middle class] of the province went out and greeted him about {ten} [five] miles < away >. He said to them: Who are you? They said to him: We are people of such and such a province. He said to them: What would you want? They said to him: If you please, Have mercy upon us. He said to them: I have already remitted half < your debt >, but for your sake I am remitting half of < the remaining > half. While he [was < still > on the road], all the people of the province came out. He said to them: Now what do you want? They said to him: O our Lord King, we have nothing to remit. Have mercy on us. He said to them: I have already remitted half plus half of < the remaining > half, but for your sake I am remitting everything. However, from now on there is a new account (heshbon). This king is [the Supreme King of Kings], the Holy One. The people of his province? These are Israel, who acquire sins during all of the whole year. What does the Holy One do? He says: Do penance at the beginning of the year. So they come in submission on the Day of Atonement, when they humble themselves and do penance. Then the Holy One forgives them everything. So during Tabernacles they all take their lulavim on the first day of the festival and render praise to the Holy One. Thus he is reconciled to them and forgives them. He says to them: See, I have waived all your former sins for you. [However, from now on there is a new account (heshbon). Thus it is stated (in Lev. 23:40): AND YOU SHALL TAKE FOR YOURSELVES ON THE FIRST DAY. < It is > first for the reckoning (heshbon) of sins.] The Holy One said to them: In this world I have told you to make a sukkah in order to pay me my remuneration for what I have done for you. It is so stated (in Lev. 23:42–43): [YOU SHALL DWELL IN SUKKOT FOR SEVEN DAYS…,] < IN ORDER THAT YOUR GENERATIONS MAY KNOW > THAT I HAD THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DWELL IN SUKKOT. So I reckon it to your credit, as if you are rendering payment to me. But in the world to come I will appear over you like a sukkah, as stated (in Is. 4:6): THERE SHALL BE A SUKKAH AS A SHADE FROM THE HEAT BY DAY….

Another interpretation of, "And you shall take for yourselves" (Leviticus 23:40): This is [the understanding of] that which is written (Psalms 102:18), "He has turned to the prayer of the destitute and has not spurned their prayer" - for Israel was victorious in the trial and their iniquities were forgiven. And [the angels] say, "Israel has been victorious," as it is stated (I Samuel 15:29), "Moreover, the Victory of Israel does not deceive or change His mind." And this is that which David says to Israel, "If you kept the commandment of lulav - which is called pleasant, as it is stated (Psalms 16:11), 'pleasant things are ever in Your right hand' - it will certainly be announced to you that you have been victorious over the nations of the world, as it is stated, 'Moreover, the Victory of Israel.'" Hence, Moshe warns and says to Israel (Leviticus 23:40), 'And you shall take for yourselves.'" Rabbi Avin said, "He has turned to the prayer of the destitute" (Psalms 102:18). And Rabbi Avin said, "We are not able to determine David's disposition: Sometimes he calls himself a poor person; sometimes he calls himself a king. How is this? At the time that he would foresee and observe that righteous ones were to rise from him in the future - such as Asa, Yehoshafat, Hizkiyah and Yoshiyah - he would call himself a king, as it is stated (Psalms 72:1), 'God, give your judgments to the king.' But at the time that he would foresee and observe that evil ones were to rise from him in the future - such as Achaz, Menashe and Amon - he would call himself a poor person, as it is stated (Psalms 102:10), 'A prayer for the poor person when he is faint (yaatof).'" Rabbi Alexandri explained the reading with this worker: Just like this worker sits and waits for his work to end a little and he will leave [his prayer] until the end. It is like you say (Genesis 30:42), "and the atufim were for Lavan." What is [the understanding of ]atufim? Rabbi Yitschak beRabbi Chilkiyah said, "late ones." Another interpretation of (Psalms 102:18), "He has turned to the prayer of the destitute": It should have said, "he has not spurned his prayer. And if [it wanted to write] "not spurned their prayer," it should have said, "He has turned to the prayer of the destitute ones." Rather, "He has turned to the prayer of the destitute" - that is the prayer of Menashe, king of Yehudah, who was destitute of good deeds; "and has not spurned their prayer" - that is his prayer and the prayer of his ancestors. For it is written (II Chronicles 33:13), "He prayed to Him, and He was reconciled to him." What is [the understanding of], "He was reconciled (vayeater) to him?" Rabbi Elazar bar Rabbi Shimon said, "In Arabia, they enunciate, chatiratah (drilling), atirata. "And returned him to Jerusalem to his kingdom." With what did He return him? Rabbi Shmuel bar Yonah said in the name of Rabbi Acha, "He returned (vayeshivehu) him with a wind" - as you say (in the daily prayers), 'make blow (mashiv) the wind.'" At that time, "and Menashe knew that the Lord was God." At that time Menashe said, "There is a law and there is a Judge." Rabbi Yitschak explained the reading to be about those generations that have no king, no prophet, no priest and no urim and tumim. And all they have is prayer alone. David said in front of the Holy One, blessed be He, "Master of the world, do not spurn their prayers." "May this be written for the last generation" (Psalms 102:19) - from here, [we know] that the Holy One, blessed be He, accepts penitents; "and a people to be created will praise the Lord" - that the Holy One, blessed be He, will create them as a new creature. Another interpretation of "May this be written for the last generation" - this is the generation of Hizkiyah, as he was leaning towards death; "and a people to be created will praise the Lord" - that the Holy One, blessed be He, created them as a new creature. Another interpretation of "May this be written for the last generation" - this is the generation of Mordechai, as they were leaning towards death; "and a people to be created will praise the Lord" - that He created them as a new creature. Another interpretation of "May this be written for the last generation" - these are these generations, as they are leaning towards death; "and a people to be created will praise the Lord" - that the Holy One, blessed be He, will create them in the future as a new creature. And what is there for us to do? To take the lulav and the citron and laud the Holy One, blessed be He. Hence, Moshe warns Israel and says to them (Leviticus 23:40), "And you shall take for yourselves."

Another interpretation of, "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day" (Leviticus 23:40). This is [the understanding of] that which is written (Psalms 96:12), "The fields exult and everything in them": "The fields exult" - that is this world, as it is stated (Genesis 4:8), "and it was when they were in the field." "And everything in them" - these are the creatures, like you say (Psalms 24:1), "The earth is the Lord’s and all that it holds, [the world and its inhabitants]." "Then shall the trees of the forest shout for joy" (I Chronicles 16:33). Rabbi Acha said, "[Here it states,] 'the forest,' [but in Psalms 96:12 above, it states,] 'and all the trees of the forest.' 'The forest' - those are the trees that produce fruit; 'all the trees of the forest' - those are the trees that do not produce fruit." In front of whom? "In front of the Lord" (Psalms 98:9). Why? "For He is coming," on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. To do what? "He will judge the world with righteousness, and its peoples with equity."

Another interpretation of, "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day" (Leviticus 23:40). This is [the understanding of] that which is written (Psalms 26:6), "I wash my hands in innocence" - with a purchase and not with theft, as we have learned there (Sukkah 29b): A stolen or dry lulav is disqualified, of a tree-god or a condemned city is disqualified. "And walk around Your altar, O Lord" - like that which we learned there (Sukkah 45a): Each day they would circle the altar one time and say, "O Lord, please save us; O Lord, please save us" (Psalms 118:25). Rabbi Yehudah says, "Ani vaho, please save us." And on [the seventh] day, they would circle the altar seven times. "Raising my voice in thanksgiving" - these are the sacrifices. "And telling all Your wonders" - Rabbi Avin said, That is Hallel, as it has of the past within it, and it has of the future within it, and it has these generations within it and it has the days of the Messiah within it, and it has the days of Gog and Magog within it: "In the coming out of Israel from Egypt" (Psalms 114:1) is of the past; "Not to us, O Lord" (Psalms 115:1) is of these generations; "I have loved that You heard, O Lord" (Psalms 116:1) is for the days of the Messiah; "All the nations surrounded me" (Psalms 118:10) is for the days of Gog and Magog; "You are my God and I will praise You, my God and I will exalt You" (Psalms 118:28) is for the future to come.

To what is one who takes a stolen lulav compared to? To a thief [... who] one time stole everything a tax collector had on him. Eventually he was caught [...] the tax collector came to him said to him and said, "Return the money to me, and I will defend you before the king. The thief said, "I have nothing left from what I took except for a saddle." [...] The next day, the thief was brought before the king, and the king asked him if he had anyone to defend him. The thief says that the tax collector would. The tax collector said, “I was out collecting, and this thief took all of my money. The saddle still in his possession is proof that he stole it all.” All those present cried, “Woe to the one whose defense attorney becomes his prosecutor!” So too someone who takes a lulav to gain merit – if the lulav was stolen, it cries out to Hashem saying “I’m stolen property!” and the angels say, “Woe to the one whose defense attorney becomes his prosecutor!”

"On the first day" (Leviticus 23:40). That is the fifteenth, and you say, "On the first?" Rabbi Mana of Shav and Rabbi Yehoshua of Sakhnin said in the name of Rabbi Levi, "[There is a relevant] parable about a province that owed a [certain tax] to the king and the king went to collect it. [When he was] within ten mil, the leaders of the province went out to laud him, [so] he cancelled a third of [that tax]; within five mil, the middling people of the province went out to laud him, [so] he cancelled another third; when he entered the province, all of the residents of the province - men, women and children - came out and lauded him, and he cancelled it all. He said, 'What is past is past. From now, let us start a [new] reckoning.' So [too] on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the greats of the generations fast, and the Holy One, blessed be He, cancels a third of their iniquities; and from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, the [select] individuals fast, and the Holy One, blessed be He, cancels [another] third of their iniquities; and on Yom Kippur, everyone fasts - men, women and children. So the Holy One, blessed be He, says to Israel, 'What is past is past. From now, let us start a [new] reckoning.'" And from Yom Kippur to Sukkot, all of Israel is involved in commandments. This one is involved with his sukkah, that one is involved with his lulav. And on the first day of the festival, all of Israel stand in front of the Holy One, blessed be He, [with] their lulavs and citrons for the sake of the Holy One, blessed be He. And He say to them, "What is past is past. From now, let us start a [new] reckoning." Hence, Moshe warns Israel (Leviticus 23:40), "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day." Rabbi Acha says, "'For forgiveness is with You' (Psalms 130:4) - from Rosh Hashanah, forgiveness is waiting with You. Why so much? 'In order that You will be feared' - so as to instill fear of You upon Your creatures."

"On the first day" (Leviticus 23:40) - during the day, and not during the night; during the day, and even on Shabbat. "On the first day" - only the first day alone overrides Shabbat. "The fruit of a pleasant (hadar) tree" - Rabbi Chiya taught, "A tree in which the taste of its tree and its fruit are the same." Hadar - Ben Azzai said, "One that resides (hadar) in its tree from [one] year to [another]." Achilles the convert translated hadar (from the Greek), that it resides over the water. "Branches (kapot) of date palms" (Leviticus 23:40) - Rabbi Tarfon says, "Bound (kafut), if it is spread out, bind it." "And boughs of a dense-leaved tree" (Leviticus 23:40) - a tree whose leaves obscure its tree. Hence, I would say this is a myrtle. "Willows of the brook" (Leviticus 23:40) - I only [know that] of a brook. From where [do I know] a willow of the valley or of the mountains? We learn to say, "and willows of the brook" (in plural, to teach that different types of willows are allowed). Abba Shaul says, "And willows of the brook" is two - a willow for the lulav and a willow for the Temple." Rabbi Shimon says, "'The fruit of a pleasant tree' is one; 'branches of a date palm' is one; 'boughs of a dense-leaved tree' are three, 'and willows of the brook' are two two branches and one that is not cut off." Rabbi Tarfon says, "Even three that are cut off."

Another explanation: "The fruit of a beautiful tree (ets hadar)" - this is [referring to] the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is written about Him (Psalms 104:1), "You were dressed in splendor and beauty (hadar)." "The branches of a date palm" - this is [referring to] the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is written about Him (Psalms 92:13), "The righteous One flourishes like a date palm." "And a branch of a braided tree (a myrtle)" - this is [referring to] the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is written (Zechariah 1:8), "and He is standing among the myrtles." "And brook willows (arvei nachal)" - this is [referring to] the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is written about Him (Psalms 68:5), "praise the One that rides in the skies (aravot), with His name of the Lord."

Another explanation: "The fruit of a beautiful tree (ets hadar)" - this is [referring to] our father, Avraham, who the Holy One, blessed be He, graced (hider) with a good old age, as it is stated (Genesis 24:1), "And Avraham was old, had come along in days;" and it is written (Leviticus 19:32), "and you shall grace (hadarta) the old." "The branches (kappot) of a date palm" - this is [referring to] Yitschak, who was bound (kafut which is spelled with the same letters as kappot) and tied up on top of the altar. "And a branch of a braided tree (a myrtle)" - this is [referring to] Yakov. Just like this myrtle bustles with leaves, so too was Yakov bustling with children. "And brook willows" - this is [referring to] Yosef. Just like this willow gets withered before these three [other] species, so too did Yosef die before his brothers. Another explanation: "The fruit of a beautiful tree (ets hadar)" - this is [referring to] Sarah, who the Holy One, blessed be He, graced (hider) with a good old age, as it is stated (Genesis 18:11), "And Avraham and Sarah were old." "The branches of a date palm" - this is [referring to] Rivka. Just like this date palm, it has food and it has thorns, so too Rivkah brought up a righteous one and an evildoer. "And a branch of a braided tree (a myrtle)" - this is [referring to] Leah. Just like this myrtle bustles with leaves, so too was Leah bustling with children. "And brook willows" - this is [referring to] Rachel. Just like this willow gets withered before these three [other] species, so too did Rachel die before her sister.

Another explanation: "The fruit of a beautiful tree (ets hadar)" - this is [referring to] the Great Sanhedrins (high courts) of Israel, who the Holy One, blessed be He, graced (hider) with a good old age, as it is stated (Leviticus 19:32), "And you shall get up in front of a venerable one." "The branches (kappot) of a date palm" - this is [referring to] the Torah scholars who force (kofin) themselves to learn one from the other. "And a branch of a braided tree (a myrtle)" - this is [referring to] the three rows of students who would sit in front of them (since three myrtle branches are customarily waved). "And brook willows" - this is [referring to] the two judges' scribes who would stand in front of them and write down the words of those who would render innocent and the words of those who would render guilty (since two willow branches are customarily waved).

Another explanation: "The fruit of a beautiful tree" - these are [referring to] Israel. Just like this citron (etrog), which has taste and has smell, so too Israel has among them people that have Torah and have good deeds. "The branches of a date palm" - these are [referring to] Israel. Just like this date, which has taste and has no smell, so too Israel has among them those that have Torah but do not have good deeds. "And a branch of a braided tree (a myrtle)" - these are [referring to] Israel. Just like this myrtle, which has smell and has no taste, so too Israel has among them those that have good deeds but do not have Torah. "And brook willows" - these are [referring to] Israel. Just like this willow, which has no smell and has no taste, so too Israel has among them people that have no Torah and have no good deeds. And what does the Holy One, blessed be He, do to them? To destroy them is impossible, but rather the Holy One, blessed be He, said "bind them all together [into] one grouping and these will atone for those." And if you will have done that, I will be elevated at that time. This is [the meaning of] what is written (Amos 9:6), "He Who built the upper chambers in the heavens" (indicating his elevation). And when is He elevated? When they make one grouping, as it is stated (Ibid.), "and established His grouping on the earth." Hence Moshe warned Israel, "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day."

Rabbi Yehuda opened in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Pazi, "'Listen my son and take my words' (Proverbs 4:10). Many takings have I commanded you in order to give you merit. I said to you (Numbers 19:2), 'and you will take to you a pure red cow.' [Was it] maybe for My sake? But rather it was for your sake, to purify you, as it is written (Numbers 19:19), 'And the pure one will sprinkle on the impure one.' I said to you (Exodus 25:2), 'and they shall take an offering for Me' in order that I will dwell among you: 'And make for Me a sanctuary' (Ibid., verse 8). As if it were possible, the Holy One, blessed be He, said, 'take Me and I will dwell among you' - it does not say, 'and they shall take an offering,' but rather, 'and they shall take (for) Me:' they are taking Me. I said to you (Leviticus 24:2), 'and they shall take to you pure olive oil.' And do I need your light - behold, it is written (Daniel 2:22), 'and light dwells with Him?' But rather to give you merit and to atone for your souls which is compared to a candle, as it is stated (Proverbs 20:27), 'The candle of God is the soul of a man, it searches all of the chambers of the innards.' And now that I have said to you, 'And you shall take for yourselves on the first day,' it is to give you merit, so that I will bring down the rain for you. Hence Moshe warned Israel, 'And you shall take for yourselves on the first day.'"

Another explanation: "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day" - in spite of all of that wisdom that is written about Shlomo (II Chronicles 2:1), "wisdom and knowledge are granted to you;" (I Kings 5:10-11) "And the wisdom of Shlomo grew... And Shlomo was wiser than all men," these four species were perplexing to him, as it is stated (Proverbs 30:18), "Three are there that are wondrous beyond me" - these three are the Pesach sacrifice, matsa and marror (bitter herbs) - "and four which I did not know" - these four are the four species of the lulav, that he sought to understand: "The fruit of a beautiful tree" - who will tell me that it is a citron (etrog)? All of the trees make beautiful fruit (and are hence called beautiful trees). "The branches of a date palm" - the Torah said, "take two palm branches (as 'branches' is in the plural) to praise with" and he only takes a [singular] lulav, which is the heart of the date palm. "And a branch of a braided tree (a myrtle)" - who will tell me that it is a myrtle? Behold, in another place it says (Nechemiah 8:15), "Go out to the mountain and bring olive branches, etc" (the verse continues to list several species and mentions myrtles alongside branches of a braided tree, seemingly indicating that they are two different species). "And brook willows" - all trees grow in the water! [Hence,] "and four which I did not know." He came back and mentioned them a different time, as it is stated (Proverbs 30:29), "There are three that are good, etc." - these are the four species, that each and every one in Israel goes and runs and takes from them for himself, to praise the Holy One, blessed be He. And [the four species] appear small in the eyes of man but they are great in front of the Holy One, blessed be He. And who explained to Israel that they were these four species, which are the citron, the palm branch, the myrtle, the willow? The Sages; as it is stated (Ibid., verse 24), "they are very wise sages."

... Rabbi Brachya in the name of Rabbi Levi says. in the merit of fulfilling the verse you should take for yourself on the first day.I will reveal myself to you and take revenge for you from the first -the Beit Hamikdash- of which it is written " A glorious throne on high from the first the place of the sanctuary"(Jeremiah 17:12). And bring for you the First-King moshiach- of whom it is written "The first shall say to Tzion(Isaiah 41:17)

… And He said to him ‘go away to the land of Moriah and bring him up there for a burnt offering’ (Bereshit 22:2) What is the land of Moriah? There is a whole bundle of Sages here, each saying their own answer. R’ Yanai says ‘what is Moriah? The place from which awe and fear (morah and yirah) go out to the world,’ “You are feared, O God, from Your Sanctuary…” (Tehillim 68:36) R’ Chiya the elder says ‘the land from which instruction (hora’ah) goes out to the world,’ as it says “…for out of Zion shall the Torah come forth…” (Yeshayahu 2:3) Another explanation: the land from which, in the future, the Holy One will teach that the wicked should descend to gehinnom, as it says “Like sheep, they are destined to the grave; death will devour them, and the upright will rule over them in the morning, and their form will outlast the grave…” From where? “…his dwelling place (zevul).” (Tehillim 49:15) Another explanation of the land of Moriah. R’ Yehoshua ben Levi said ‘the land from which the righteous teach (morim) and make decrees upon the Holy One which He does,’ as it says “…and David and the elders, covered with sackcloth, fell upon their faces. And David said to God, "Did I not say to count the people?…I beg that Your hand be against me and against my father's house, but not against Your people for a plague." (Divre HaYamim I 21:16-17) Another explanation of the land of Moriah. R’ Yehudah bar Padiiya said ‘Moriah - he said to Gd, where is it? He replied – to the land which I will show (mareh) you.’ Another explanation of Moriah. Avraham said to Gd, Master of the World! But am I fit to offer sacrifices? Am I a kohen? Let Shem the High Priest come and receive him from me. The Holy One replied to him – when you arrive at the place I will sanctify you and make you into a kohen. What is the meaning of Moriah? In exchange (temurah) for Shem. His replacement, as it says “He shall not exchange it or offer a substitute for it…” (Vayikra 27:10) Another explanation. What is Moriah? R’ Pinchas said ‘the land in which the master (maruto) of the world dwells,’ as it says “…and My eyes and My heart shall be there at all times.” (Melachim I 9:3) Another explanation. What is Moriah? R’ Shimon bar Yochai said ‘the land which was adorned opposite the altar above “…or cast down… (yaro yireh)” (Shemot 19:13) Another explanation. The land in which the incense is offered – “I will go to the mountain of myrrh (mor)…” (Shir HaShirim 4:6)

... Teach us oh, teacher: A court which sanctified the month, but not at Eintav with witnesses, is it sanctified? R’ Abahu said in the name of R’ Chiya the great: if a court sanctified the month without witnesses, it is sanctified, as it says “…which you shall designate in their appointed time.” (Leviticus 23:4) This means whether it is with witnesses or without. Whether witnesses saw it or not it is sanctified, as it says ‘which you shall designate.’ And why did the court intercalate a month into the calendar at Eintav? Because this was the meeting place for the court. Therefore on Rosh HaShana which fell out on Shabbat the shofar is not blown anywhere except at Eintav, in the place where the court sat and intercalated the years and months. The Holy One said: Zion is the meeting place for the whole world, as it says “…for out of Zion shall the Torah come forth, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:3) Therefore when I redeem Zion and her exiles, as it says “Zion shall be redeemed through justice and her penitent through righteousness,” (Isaiah 1:27) they will come and blow the shofar within her. From where do we learn this? From how the prophet finished his words “Sound a shofar in Zion…” (Yoel 2:15). This is how R’ Tanchuma opened in the name of the House of R’ Aba: “The fairest of branches (nof) , the joy of the entire earth- Mount Zion, by the north side, the city of a great king.” (Psalms 48:3) What does nof mean? A bride (kloninfe). Another explanation. ‘The fairest of branches’ R’ Chanina bar Pappa said: The most beautiful in her branches, like the fig whose roots are in the land, rising up with her branches going out in every direction, she is beautiful. This is why Jerusalem is called the fairest of branches, because in the future she will be so “And it became wider and it wound higher and higher…” (Ezekiel 41:7) Another explanation. ‘The fairest of branches’ R’ Berachia said: The one who is beautiful through the waving (hanafat) of her omer offering. R’ Yitzchak said: The one who is beautiful because in the future she will wave away the nations of the world. R’ Levi said: the fairest of branches (nof) because everyone beautifies her, praises her and waves (manifim) to her. “Tyre, you said, 'I am the perfection of beauty.'” (Ezekiel 27:3) but everyone praises and says ‘how beautiful’ to Jerusalem “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?” (Lamentations 2:15) Another explanation. ‘The fairest of branches’ R’ Levi said: her branches are beautiful through the circling of the altar. Another explanation. ‘The fairest of branches, the joy of the entire earth’ R’ Yochanan said: there was a dome of accounting outside of Jerusalem, and they would take their accounts to do them outside of Jerusalem under that dome outside of the city limits. Within the city they would eat, drink and be joyful. Another explanation. ‘The fairest of branches, the joy of the entire earth’ Through the dew which comes out from there and causes the grains to wave (m’nafef), gives blessing and makes all the land rejoice. ‘The fairest of branches, the joy of the entire earth’ R’ Yonatan of Bet Guvrin went into Jerusalem with merchandise in his hands and no one was around. He said: and this is the joy of the entire earth?! He hadn’t finished saying this before he sold everything that was in his hands. “…Mount Zion, by the north side…” (Psalms 48:3) And is Zion located in the north, isn’t it actually in the south? What is ‘the north side’? That her sacrifices were offered “…on the northern side of the altar…” (Leviticus 1:11) And what does “…the city of a great king…” (Psalms 48:3) mean? The city of the Great King. Another explanation. ‘The fairest of branches, the joy of the entire earth’ R’ Levi said: joy comes from Zion, “…and they shall come to Zion with song, with joy of days of yore shall be upon their heads…” (Isaiah 35:10) The blessing comes from there, “Like the dew of Hermon, that comes down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forever.” (Psalms 133:3) The Torah comes from Zion “…from out of Zion comes the Torah…” (Isaiah 2:3) Help comes to Israel out Zion, “Send forth your help from the sanctuary, and support you out of Zion.” (Psalms 20:3) Life comes from Zion, “…for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forever.” (Psalms 133:3) Salvation comes from Zion, as it says “Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!” (Psalms 14:7) And the shofar blast which will bring near the redemption of Israel comes out of Zion “Blow the shofar in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain; Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the Lord comes, for it is at hand…” (Yoel 2:15)

(Devarim 11:18) "And you shall place these words upon your hearts and upon your souls": This refers to Torah. "and you shall bind them as a sign upon your hands": This refers to tefillin. This tells me only of tefillin and Torah study. Whence do I derive (the same for) other mitzvoth? It follows inductively (binyan av), viz.: Tefillin is not (exactly) like Torah study, and Torah study is not like tefillin. Their common denominator is that they are mitzvoth pertaining to the body, which are not contingent upon the land, and they obtain both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of it — so, all mitzvoth pertaining to the body, which are not contingent upon the land, obtain both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of it. And those that are contingent upon the land obtain only in Eretz Yisrael — except arlah (viz. Vayikra 19:23) and kilayim (viz. Devarim 22:9). R. Eliezer says: (The law of) Chadash — ("new produce") too, (obtains both in Eretz Yisrael and outside it, viz. Vayikra 23:14).

(Bamidbar 7:1) "And it was on the day that Moses had finished setting up the mishkan" (the tabernacle): Scripture here apprises us that all the seven days of consecration Moses would assemble the mishkan every morning and anoint it and dismantle it, and on that day (the eighth) he set it up and anointed it and assembled it and did not dismantle it. R. Yossi b. R. Yehudah says: On the eighth day, too, he anointed it and dismantled it. And it is written (Shemot 40:17) "And it was, in the first month (Nissan) in the second year, on the first day of the month that the mishkan was established — whence we derive that on the twenty-third of Adar Aaron and his sons began to anoint the mishkan and all of its vessels; on Rosh Chodesh (Nissan) it was established; on the second (of Nissan) the red heifer was burned; on the third, its waters were sprinkled (viz. Bamidbar 8:7). On that day (Rosh Chodesh Nissan), the Shechinah reposed in the house, as it is written (Shemot 40:35) "And Moses could not enter the tent of meeting, etc." On that day the chiefs (of the tribes) sacrificed their offerings, as it is written (Bamidbar 7:12) "And the one who presented his offering on the first day…" Why (emphasize) "the first day"? It was the first of all the days of the year. On that day fire descended from heaven and consumed the offerings, as it is written (Vayikra 9:24) "And a fire came forth from before the L-rd and consumed upon the altar the burnt-offering and the fats." On that day the sons of Aaron presented a strange fire, as it is written (Vayikra 10:1) "And Nadav and Avihu the sons of Aaron took, each his censer … (2) and they died before the L-rd." Their death was "before the L-rd," and their falling was outside. How did they leave (the inner sanctum)? R. Yossi was wont to say: An angel propped them dead until they left and they fell in the azarah (the court), as it is written (Ibid. 4) "Draw near and bear your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp." It is not written "from before the L-rd," but "from before the sanctuary." R. Yishmael says: It is derived from the verse itself — "and they died before the L-rd" — that their death was within (the sanctuary) and their falling was within. How did they leave? They dragged them out with iron hooks." (Bamidbar 7:1) "and he anointed it and consecrated it and all of its vessels": I might think that they were anointed and consecrated one by one. It is, therefore, written (Ibid.) "and he anointed them and consecrated them" — he did not consecrate one of them until all of them had been anointed. "and he anointed them": from inside and from outside. R. Yoshiyah says: Wet-measure vessels were anointed inside and outside, and dry-measure vessels, on the inside only, but not on the outside. R. Yonathan says: Wet-measure vessels were anointed on the inside but not on the outside, and dry-measure vessels were anointed neither on the inside nor on the outside. Know this to be so, that they were not anointed, it being written (Vayikra 23:17) "From your dwellings shall you bring two wave loaves. Two-tenths of fine flour shall they be … they shall be baked as firstlings to the L-rd." When are they "to the L-rd"? After they have been baked. Rebbi says: "and he anointed them and consecrated them": Why is this stated? Is it not already written "and he anointed it and consecrated it"? We are hereby apprised that with the anointment of these, all the future vessels were consecrated (i.e., they did not require prior anointment).

"And he said, "My lords, if only I have found favor in your eyes..." (Bereshit 18:3) R' Chiyah taught: he said this to the greatest of them, Michael. "Please let a little water be taken..." (Bereshit 18:4) R' Eliezer said in the name of R' Simai: the Holy One said to Avraham "you said 'let a little water be taken.' By your life! I will recompense your children in the wilderness, in the settled lands and in the time to come. This is what is written "Then Israel sang this song: "'Ascend, O well,' sing to it!" (Bamidbar 21:17) This is in the wilderness. Where do we learn in the land of Canaan? "... a land with brooks of water, fountains and depths, that emerge in valleys and mountains," (Devarim 8:7) From where do we learn in the time to come? "And it shall come to pass on that day that spring water shall come forth from Jerusalem..." (Zechariah 14:8)

"in the land": I might think that all of the mitzvoth are to be performed outside of Eretz Yisrael. It is, therefore, written "to do in the land which the L-rd, the G-d of your fathers, gave you to inherit." I might then think that all of the mitzvoth are to be performed only in Eretz Yisrael. It is, therefore, written "all the days that you live upon the earth." Now that Scripture has included (viz. "all the days that you live upon the earth" [i.e., even outside Eretz Yisrael]) and excluded (viz. "to do in the land" [i.e., only in Eretz Yisrael]), derive the rule from what is stated in this regard, (viz. Ibid. 2) "Destroy shall you destroy all the places where the nations worshipped." Just as (the mitzvah to destroy) idolatry is characterized by its devolving upon the "body" (of the observer), is not dependent upon the land, and obtains both in the land and outside of it, so, all such mitzvoth obtain both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of it, with the exclusion of arlah (viz. Vayikra 19:23) and kilayim (viz. Vayikra 19:19), (which are also forbidden outside the land). R. Eliezer says: Also (forbidden is) chadash (viz. Vayikra 23:10-14).

(Devarim 12:5) "and you shall come there … (6) and you shall bring there": Why is this stated (i.e., it is essentially stated elsewhere). Because it is written (Vayikra 23:37) "These are the festivals of the L-rd, which you shall call holy callings to present a fire-offering to the L-rd, a burnt-offering and a meal-offering, sacrifice and drink-offerings, the thing of the day in its day."

“And her days to give birth were completed…” (Genesis 25:24) Below they were lacking, here they were full. Below where the word twins is written full, with the letter aleph, Peretz and Zerach were both righteous. Here it is written without an aleph, Yaakov was righteous and Esau was wicked. “And the first one emerged ruddy…” (Genesis 25:25) R’ Chaggai said in the name of R’ Yitzchak: in the merit of “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day…” (Leviticus 23:40) I will be revealed to you first, as it says “I am first and I am last” (Isaiah 44:6) and I will exact retribution on your behalf from the first who is Esau, as it is written “And the first one emerged” and I will build the first for you, which is the Holy Temple of which it is written “As a Throne of Glory, exalted from the beginning…” (Jeremiah 17:12) and I will bring for you the first who is the King Messiah of whom it is written “The first one to Zion, behold, behold them…” (Isaiah 41:27)

(Bamidbar 9:4) "And Moses spoke to the children of Israel to offer the Pesach": Why is this stated? It is already written (Vayikra 23:44) "And Moses declared the festivals of the L-rd to the children of Israel." What, then, is the intent of "And Moses spoke to the children of Israel to offer the Pesach"? Keep the Pesach in its appointed time (viz. Devarim 16:1), so that all of the festivals fall out in their proper season. Variantly: We are hereby taught that he heard the sections of the festivals at Sinai, related them to Israel, and repeated them before their performance. Variantly: He told them the halachoth of Pesach before Pesach, the halachoth of Shavuoth before Shavuoth, and the halachoth of Succoth before Succoth — whence they said: Moses instituted for Israel that they ask and expound re the festival (preceding the festival).

(Bamidbar 10:5) "And you shall sound a blast" ("Utekatem teruah"): A teruah (a rapid succession of three notes, tremolo) by itself, and tekiah (a long, sustained sound) by itself. You say, a tekiah by itself and a teruah by itself. But perhaps (in this context) tekiah and teruah are one and the same? (This cannot be, for) (7) "And when the people are to be gathered, you shall sound a tekiah and not a teruah" indicates that tekiah and teruah are distinct sounds. "utekatem teruah": We are hereby taught that a tekiah precedes a teruah. Whence is it derived that a teruah (also) follows a teruah? From (Ibid. 6) :"teruah yitkeu" ("a teruah shall they blow.") R. Yishmael the son of R. Yochanan b. Beroka says: This (derivation) is not needed. It is written (Ibid.) "And when you blow a second teruah." Let "second" not be written. Why is it written? To serve as a prototype (binyan av) for the tekiah, that it be second (i.e., after) the teruah — whence we learn that (in sum he blows) tekiah-teruah-tekiah. This tells me only of (the order in) the desert. Whence do I derive (the same for the order on) Rosh Hashanah? It is written "teruah" here and it is written "teruah" elsewhere (re Rosh Hashanah). Just as "teruah" here — tekiah-teruah-tekiah, so, "teruah" there — tekiah-teruah-tekiah. Three "teruoth" are written in respect to Rosh Hashanah: (Vayikra 23:24) "Shabbaton zichron teruah," (Ibid. 25:9) "Veha'avarta shofar teruah," (Bamidbar 29:1) "Yom teruah yihiyeh lachem" — two tekioth for each (teruah). In sum, on Rosh Hashanah there are three teruoth and six tekioth — two (sets of tekiah-teruah-tekiah) prescribed by the Torah, and one by the scribes: "Shabbaton zichron teruah," "veha'avarta shofar teruah" — by the Torah. "Yom teruah yihiyeh lachem" — This comes for its teaching (that the shofar is blown in the daytime ["yom"], and not at night). R. Shmuel b. Nachmani says in the name of R. Yonathan: One prescribed by the Torah; two prescribed by the scribes. "Shabbaton zichron teruah" — by the Torah. "veha'avarta shofar teruah" and "yom teruah yihiyeh lachem" — These come for their teachings, ("veha'avarta") to teach that there is an unbroken sound (tekiah) before the teruah, and "yom," to teach that the shofar is blown in the daytime.

(Bamidbar 10:10) "And on the day of your rejoicing and on your appointed times you shall sound the trumpets": "And on the day": Sabbaths. R. Nathan says: These are temidim (the daily burnt-offerings). "your rejoicings": These are the three festivals. "and in your appointed times": These are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. "and on your new moons": as stated. "over your burnt-offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings": Scripture speaks of the sacrifices of communal peace-offerings. — But perhaps (it speaks of) both communal and individual (offerings). Would you say that? What is the context? (the blowing of the trumpets for the convoking and the traveling of) the congregation; here, too, the (offerings of) the congregation (are understood). R. Shimon b. Azzai says: Scripture speaks of communal offerings. — But perhaps both communal and individual. It is, therefore, written "over your burnt-offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings." Just as burnt-offerings are holy of holies, so peace-offerings (in this context) are holy of holies. And just as peace-offerings (to be holy of holies) are communal offerings, so, burnt-offerings (in this context) are communal offerings. "And they shall be for you as a remembrance before your G-d": Why is this mentioned (in this context)? Because it is written "you shall sound the trumpets," I might think that offerings over which the trumpets were sounded are kasher, but not those over which the trumpets were not sounded; it is, therefore, written "And they shall be for you as a remembrance" — They (the trumpets) were given as a remembrance, and not to validate the offering. "I am the L-rd your G-d": What is the intent of this? It is written (Vayikra 23:24) "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: On the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be for you a resting, remembrance, teruah": "remembrance" — These are verses of remembrance (zichronoth); "teruah" — These are verses (evocative of) the shofar (teruoth). But malchuyoth (i.e., verses evocative of His Kingship) we have not heard. It is, therefore, written here "You shall sound the trumpets … and they shall be to you for a remembrance … I am the L-rd your G-d." "You shall sound the trumpet" — shofaroth; "remembrance" — zichronoth; "I am the L-rd our G-d" — malchuyoth. Wherever there are zichronoth and shofaroth, there must be malchuyoth along with them. R. Nathan says: This is not needed (for the inclusion of malchuyoth), for it is written (Bamidbar 23:21) "The L-rd, his G-d, is with him (Israel) and the teruah of the King is in him" — This is shofaroth and malchuyoth. And why did the sages see fit to say malchuyoth first, and then zichronoth and shofaroth? Make Him King over your first, and then beseech Him for mercy to be remembered unto Him. And with what (i.e., through which agency?) The shofar. For "shofar" connotes freedom, as in (Isaiah 27:13) "And it shall be on that day that a great shofar shall be blown, etc." But I would not know who will blow it; it is, therefore, written (Zechariah 9:14) "And the L-rd G-d will blow with a shofar." And we still would not know whence the tekiah would come forth. It is, therefore, written (Isaiah 66:6) "The sound of the havoc comes from the city (Jerusalem), the Voice from the sanctuary of the L-rd, sending recompense to His foes!"

(Bamidbar 15:2) "Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: When you come to the land of your settlings which I give to you, etc.": Scripture comes to teach us that Israel were obligated to bring libations (with their offerings) only after inheritance and settlement (of the land [viz. Ibid. 15:5]). You say after inheritance and settlement, but perhaps immediately upon their entry to the land. It is, therefore, written (Devarim 17:14) "When you come to the land that the L-rd your G-d gives to you, and you inherit it and you settle in it, etc." Since "comings" are mentioned in the Torah unqualified, and in one instance (above) it is specified, after inheritance and settlement, so all ("comings" are understood as) after inheritance and settlement, which teaches us that wherever "settlings" is written, after inheritance and settling is understood. These are the words of R. Yishmael. R. Akiva queried him: But in respect to Shabbath it is written "settlings" (viz. Vayikra 23:3), and it obtains both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of it! R. Yishmael replied: If "lighter" mitzvoth obtain both in the land and outside it, how much more so, Shabbath, the "graver." And it ("settlings") comes to teach that in an individual altar ("bamah") there is no obligation to bring libations. R. Akiva says: Scripture comes to teach us that libations are to be offered on a bamah. Abba Channan says in the name of R. Eliezer: Why is this ("When you come to the land") written? For it would follow, since we find that the vessels of the Temple were more than those of the tent of meeting (viz. I Kings 7:27), so, the libations of the Temple were more than those of the tent of meeting; it is, therefore, written (Bamidbar 15:2) "When you come … (3) and you shall offer, etc." to teach that even though there were more vessels in the Temple than in the tent of meeting, there were not more libations. (Ibid. 3) "and you shall offer a fire-offering to the L-rd": This implies that all that is offered for the fire requires libations, even a meal-offering. It is, therefore, written "a burnt-offering." This tells me only of a burnt-offering (that it requires libations). Whence do I derive (the same for) peace-offerings? From "a sacrifice." Whence do I derive (the same for) a thank-offering? From "or a sacrifice." This would imply (that libations are required) for these as well as for first-born, tithe, Pesach and guilt-offering. It is, therefore, written "for an expressed vow or as a guilt-offering." Scripture speaks only of offerings that are brought as vow and gift. — But this would imply that I exclude them (from libations) as well as mandatory festival offerings! — It is, therefore, written "or in your festivals," to include these (as requiring libations). — But this would imply (that libations are required for) burnt-offerings and mandatory peace-offerings that are brought on festivals, and for a mandatory sin-offering that is brought on festivals! — It is, therefore, written (Ibid. 15;8) "And if you offer a bullock as a burnt-offering or as a sacrifice." "Bullock" was included in the general category (of offerings) and departed from it (for specific mention) to teach about the category, viz.: Just as "bullock," which is brought for vow or gift (requires libations, so, all (offerings) that are brought for vow or gift require libations) — to exclude sin-offerings and guilt-offerings, which are not brought for vow or gift.

(Bamidbar 15:3) "to present a sweet savor to the L-rd, of the herd or of the flock": What is the intent of this? Because it is written "and you shall offer a fire-offering to the L-rd, a burnt-offering or a sacrifice," I might think that a burnt-offering of fowl (also) requires libations; it is, therefore, written "of the herd or of the flock" — to exclude a burnt-offering of fowl as not requiring libations. These are the words of R. Yoshiyah. R. Yochanan says: This is not needed, for it is already written "or a sacrifice." Just as "a sacrifice" is a beast, so, a burnt-offering. What is the intent, then, of "to present a sweet savor to the L-rd, of the herd or of the flock"? Because it is written (Vayikra 1:2) "A man if he offers of you an offering to the L-rd … from the herd and from the flock," I might think that if he said: I take it upon myself to bring a burnt-offering he must bring one of each; it is, therefore, written (here) "of the herd or of the flock," that he brings either one by itself. It is written in respect to the Pesach offering (Shemot 12:5) "from the sheep and from the goats shall you take it." Either one by itself? Or, one of each? It is, therefore, written (Vayikra 1:10) "And if of the flock is his offering, of the sheep or of the goats for a beast-offering." Now does this not follow a fortiori, viz.: If a burnt-offering, the "graver" may be brought from one kind, then Pesach, the "lighter," how much more so may it be brought from one kind! What, then, is the intent of "from the sheep and from the goats shall you take it"? Either one by itself. Issi b. Akiva says: "to present a sweet savor to the L-rd (of the herd or of the flock"): either one by itself. You say either one by itself, but perhaps (the intent is that he brings) one of each. Would you say that? It follows a fortiori (otherwise), viz.: If the atzereth (Shavuoth) lambs, of which two must be brought (viz. Vayikra 23:19), may come of one kind, then a burnt-offering, two of which need not be brought, how much more so may it come of one kind! — No, this may be true of the two atzereth lambs, Scripture limiting their bringing (to atzereth), for which reason they may come of one kind, as opposed to a burnt-offering, Scripture "expanding" its bringing — wherefore it must be brought from two kinds! — This is refuted by the he-goats of Yom Kippur, Scripture "expanding" their bringing (to two) and yet being brought from one kind. (And they will refute "burnt-offering" — that even though Scripture "expands" its bringing, it may be brought of one kind.) — No, this may be true of the Yom Kippur he-goats, Scripture limiting their bringing, for they are not brought the whole year, wherefore they may be brought of one kind, as opposed to a burnt-offering, Scripture "expanding" its bringing in that it may be brought the entire year — wherefore it should be permitted only of two kinds. This is refuted by a sin-offering, which, even though Scripture "expands" its bringing to all the days of the year, may be brought of one kind — so that a burnt-offering, too, should be able to come from one kind. — No, this may be true of a sin-offering, Scripture limiting its bringing, in that it may not be brought as vow or gift, wherefore it is permitted to bring it of one kind, as opposed to burnt-offering, Scripture "expanding" its bringing in that it may be brought as vow or gift — wherefore it should be permitted to bring it only of two kinds. It must, therefore, be written (15:3) "to present a sweet savor to the L-rd, of the herd or of the flock" — either one by itself. (15:4) "Then the offerer shall offer": Because it is written (Vayikra 22:18) "A man, a man … who offers, etc.", this tells me only of a man. Whence do I derive (the same for) a woman? From "Then the offerer shall offer" — in any event. "Then the offerer shall offer his offering to the L-rd, a meal-offering, an issaron of flour." R. Nathan says: This is a prototype for all who donate a meal-offering not to give less than an issaron. "mixed with a revi'ith of a hin of oil. (5) And wine for libations, a revi'ith of a hin": oil for mixing and wine for libations. "shall you present with the burnt-offering or the sacrifice": What is the intent of this? From (3) "And you shall offer a fire-offering to the L-rd," I might think that if he said "I vow to bring a burnt-offering; I vow to bring peace-offerings" that he may bring one libation for both; it is, therefore, written "the burnt-offering or the sacrifice (of peace-offerings)" — he brings one for each in itself. I might think if he said ("I vow) five lambs for a burnt-offering, five lambs for peace-offerings," that he brings one libation for all; it is, therefore, written "with the burnt-offering or the sacrifice for each lamb" — he brings for each in itself. Abba Channan says in the name of R. Eliezer: What is the intent of this ("with the burnt-offering or the sacrifice")? For I would think: If where the rule for an ox burnt-offering is the same as that for a lamb burnt-offering (i.e., that they are both burned), they are not similar in libations, (an ox requiring a half hin, and a lamb, a quarter hin,) then where the rule for a lamb burnt-offering is not the same as that of a lamb of peace-offerings, (the first being burned and the second eaten,) how much more so should they not be similar in libations! It is, therefore, written "shall you present with the brunt-offering or the sacrifice" — Even though the rule (for the offering) is not the same, the libations are. R. Nathan says: "shall you present with the burnt-offering": This is the burnt-offering of a leper (i.e., even though it is mandatory and not vow or gift, it requires libations). "or the sacrifice": This is his (the leper's) sin-offering. "or the sacrifice": This is his guilt-offering. "for each lamb": to include the burnt-offering of a woman after birth as requiring libations. "for each lamb": to include (as requiring libations) the eleventh (which one erroneously designated as the first-born beast-tithe (instead of the tenth). For we nowhere find in the entire Torah that the secondary (the eleventh in this instance, which requires libations,) is severer than the primary (the tenth, which does not). "And if it is a ram, then you shall present as the meal-offering (two esronim of flour mixed with a third of a hin of oil": Scripture here comes to differentiate between the libations for a lamb and those for a ram. For it would follow (otherwise), viz.: cattle require libations and sheep require libations. If Scripture did not differentiate between the libations for a calf, and those for an ox, so, it would not differentiate between those for a lamb and those for a ram. It is, therefore, written "And if it is a ram, then you shall present as a meal-offering, etc." Scripture differentiates between the libations for a lamb, ("a quarter of a hin") and those of a ram ("a third of a hin"). Abba Channan says in the name of R. Eliezer: Why is this written? For it would follow (otherwise), viz.: If where libations (in general) were increased, no differentiation was made between a calf and an ox, then where libations (in general) were decreased, how much more so should no differentiation be made between a lamb and a ram! It is, therefore, written "And if it is a ram, then you shall present as a meal-offering, etc." Scripture hereby apprises us that even though libations (in general) were decreased, a differentiation was made between a lamb and a ram. (Ibid.) "mixed with oil, a third of a hin": For it would follow (otherwise), viz.: Since the lamb of the omer requires two esronim (viz. Vayikra 23:13), and the ram of a burnt-offering requires two esronim, then just as I learned about the lamb of the omer that even though its esronim were doubled, its libations were not doubled (viz. Ibid.), so, the ram of the burnt-offering, even though its esronim were doubled, its libations should not be doubled; it is, therefore, written "And if it is a ram, then you shall present as the meal-offering, etc., mixed with oil, etc." Scripture hereby apprises us that just as its esronim were doubled, so, its libations were doubled (i.e., increased). "with oil a third of a hin and wine for libations": oil for mixing; wine, for libations. "shall you offer, a sweet savor to the L-rd": It gives Me pleasure that I say, and My will is done. (Bamidbar, Ibid. 8) "And if you offer a bullock as a burnt-offering or as a sacrifice for an expressed vow, etc.": "Bullock" was included in the general category and it departed from that category (for special mention) to teach about the category that just as a bullock comes for a vow or a gift and requires libations, so, all that come for a vow or a gift require libations. (Ibid. 9) "Then he shall present with the bullock a meal-offering": What is the intent of this? Because it is written (Ibid. 3) "And you shall offer a fire-offering to the L-rd," I might think that if he said "I vow to bring a burnt-offering; I vow to bring peace-offerings," he brings one libation for both; it is, therefore, written "or as a sacrifice (of peace-offerings)," whereby we are taught that he brings one for each in itself. Or (I might think that) even if he said "I vow to bring five oxen for a burnt-offering; five oxen for peace-offerings," I might think that he brings one libation for all; it is, therefore, written "a burnt-offering or a sacrifice," whereby we are taught he brings one for each in itself. Abba Channan says in the name of R. Eliezer: What is the intent of "or a sacrifice"? For it would follow: If (even though) what transpires with a lamb burnt-offering is the same as that which transpires with an ox burnt-offering (i.e., that they are entirely burnt), still, they are not equivalent for libations, then, where what transpires with an ox burnt-offering is not the same as that which transpires with ox peace-offerings, (which are eaten), how much more so should they not be equivalent in libations; it is, therefore, written "or as a sacrifice (of peace-offerings)," to teach that even though they are not equivalent in what transpires with them, they are equivalent for libations. (Ibid. 10) "And wine shall you offer for libations": oil for mixing; wine, for libations — on bowls. You say "on bowls," but perhaps (the intent is) on the fire. If you say this, you will put out the fire, and the Torah writes (Vayikra 6:6) "A perpetual fire is to be kept burning on the altar, not to go out." How, then, am I to understand "for libations"? As meaning "on bowls." "a sweet savor to the L-rd": It gives Me pleasure that I say, and My will is done." (Ibid. 11) "Thus shall it be done for the one ox": Scripture here tells us that the Torah did not differentiate between the libations for a calf and those for an ox. For it would follow (otherwise), viz.: Sheep require libations and cattle require libations. If I have learned that the Torah differentiates between libations for a lamb and those for a ram, then so should it differentiate between those for a calf and those for an ox. It is, therefore, written "Thus shall it be done for the one ox," (big or small), the Torah not differentiating between the libations for a calf and those for an ox. Abba Channan says in the name of R. Eliezer: Why is this written? For it would follow otherwise, viz.: If where libations (in general) were decreased, a differentiation was made between a calf and an ox, then, where libations (in general) were increased, how much more so should a differentiation be made between a calf and an ox! It is, therefore, written "Thus shall it be done for the one ox." Scripture hereby apprises us that even though libations (in general) were increased, no differentiation was made between a calf and an ox. (Ibid.) "or for the one ram": Why is this written? For it would follow otherwise, viz.: Since we find that the Torah differentiated between the libations of a one-year old ("a lamb") and the libations of a two-year old ("a ram"), so it should differentiate between the libations of a two-year old and those of a three-year old. Scripture hereby apprises us (by "the one ram") that no such differentiation was made. (Ibid.) "or for the lamb among the sheep": Why is this written? For it would follow otherwise, viz.: Since we find that the Torah differentiated between the libations for a sheep and those for a ram, so it should differentiate between the libations for a ewe (female)-lamb and those for a (ewe-) sheep. We are hereby apprised (by "the [female] lamb [one year old] among the sheep [two years old]") that no such differentiation was made. (Ibid.) "or among the goats": Why is this written? For it would follow otherwise, viz.: Since we find that the Torah differentiated between the libations for a lamb and those for a ram, so it should differentiate between those for a kid and those for a (full-grown) he-goat; it is, therefore, written "or among the goats." The largest of the goats is hereby equated with the youngest of the lambs. Just as the latter, three logs (i.e., a quarter of a hin), so, the former, three logs. (Ibid. 12) "Thus shall you do for (each) one": This tells me only of these (i.e., the original sacrifices). Whence do I derive (the same for) their exchanges? From "Thus shall you do for each one." (Ibid. "According to the number (of animals) that you offer": He may not decrease (the number of libations). — But perhaps if he wishes to increase (the number) he may do so. It is, therefore, (to negate this) written "According (i.e., strictly according) to their number." These are the words of R. Yoshiyah. R. Yonah says: This (derivation) is not needed. For it is already written (Ibid. 15) "All the native-born shall do (precisely) thus, these things" — neither to decrease nor to increase. What, then, is the intent of "According to the number that you offer"? I might think that if he wishes to double (the original number as a gift) he may do so. It is, therefore, written "Thus shall you offer (libations) for (each) one, according to their number." From here they ruled: It is permitted to intermix the libations for bullocks with those of rams; the libations of lambs with the libation of (other) lambs; the libations of individuals with those of the congregation; the libations of the day with those of the preceding evening (— their numbers being the same.) But it is not permitted to intermix the libations of lambs with those of bullocks and rams (— their numbers not being the same).

(Bamidbar 15:3) "to present a sweet savor to the L-rd, of the herd or of the flock": What is the intent of this? Because it is written "and you shall offer a fire-offering to the L-rd, a burnt-offering or a sacrifice," I might think that a burnt-offering of fowl (also) requires libations; it is, therefore, written "of the herd or of the flock" — to exclude a burnt-offering of fowl as not requiring libations. These are the words of R. Yoshiyah. R. Yochanan says: This is not needed, for it is already written "or a sacrifice." Just as "a sacrifice" is a beast, so, a burnt-offering. What is the intent, then, of "to present a sweet savor to the L-rd, of the herd or of the flock"? Because it is written (Vayikra 1:2) "A man if he offers of you an offering to the L-rd … from the herd and from the flock," I might think that if he said: I take it upon myself to bring a burnt-offering he must bring one of each; it is, therefore, written (here) "of the herd or of the flock," that he brings either one by itself. It is written in respect to the Pesach offering (Shemot 12:5) "from the sheep and from the goats shall you take it." Either one by itself? Or, one of each? It is, therefore, written (Vayikra 1:10) "And if of the flock is his offering, of the sheep or of the goats for a beast-offering." Now does this not follow a fortiori, viz.: If a burnt-offering, the "graver" may be brought from one kind, then Pesach, the "lighter," how much more so may it be brought from one kind! What, then, is the intent of "from the sheep and from the goats shall you take it"? Either one by itself. Issi b. Akiva says: "to present a sweet savor to the L-rd (of the herd or of the flock"): either one by itself. You say either one by itself, but perhaps (the intent is that he brings) one of each. Would you say that? It follows a fortiori (otherwise), viz.: If the atzereth (Shavuoth) lambs, of which two must be brought (viz. Vayikra 23:19), may come of one kind, then a burnt-offering, two of which need not be brought, how much more so may it come of one kind! — No, this may be true of the two atzereth lambs, Scripture limiting their bringing (to atzereth), for which reason they may come of one kind, as opposed to a burnt-offering, Scripture "expanding" its bringing — wherefore it must be brought from two kinds! — This is refuted by the he-goats of Yom Kippur, Scripture "expanding" their bringing (to two) and yet being brought from one kind. (And they will refute "burnt-offering" — that even though Scripture "expands" its bringing, it may be brought of one kind.) — No, this may be true of the Yom Kippur he-goats, Scripture limiting their bringing, for they are not brought the whole year, wherefore they may be brought of one kind, as opposed to a burnt-offering, Scripture "expanding" its bringing in that it may be brought the entire year — wherefore it should be permitted only of two kinds. This is refuted by a sin-offering, which, even though Scripture "expands" its bringing to all the days of the year, may be brought of one kind — so that a burnt-offering, too, should be able to come from one kind. — No, this may be true of a sin-offering, Scripture limiting its bringing, in that it may not be brought as vow or gift, wherefore it is permitted to bring it of one kind, as opposed to burnt-offering, Scripture "expanding" its bringing in that it may be brought as vow or gift — wherefore it should be permitted to bring it only of two kinds. It must, therefore, be written (15:3) "to present a sweet savor to the L-rd, of the herd or of the flock" — either one by itself. (15:4) "Then the offerer shall offer": Because it is written (Vayikra 22:18) "A man, a man … who offers, etc.", this tells me only of a man. Whence do I derive (the same for) a woman? From "Then the offerer shall offer" — in any event. "Then the offerer shall offer his offering to the L-rd, a meal-offering, an issaron of flour." R. Nathan says: This is a prototype for all who donate a meal-offering not to give less than an issaron. "mixed with a revi'ith of a hin of oil. (5) And wine for libations, a revi'ith of a hin": oil for mixing and wine for libations. "shall you present with the burnt-offering or the sacrifice": What is the intent of this? From (3) "And you shall offer a fire-offering to the L-rd," I might think that if he said "I vow to bring a burnt-offering; I vow to bring peace-offerings" that he may bring one libation for both; it is, therefore, written "the burnt-offering or the sacrifice (of peace-offerings)" — he brings one for each in itself. I might think if he said ("I vow) five lambs for a burnt-offering, five lambs for peace-offerings," that he brings one libation for all; it is, therefore, written "with the burnt-offering or the sacrifice for each lamb" — he brings for each in itself. Abba Channan says in the name of R. Eliezer: What is the intent of this ("with the burnt-offering or the sacrifice")? For I would think: If where the rule for an ox burnt-offering is the same as that for a lamb burnt-offering (i.e., that they are both burned), they are not similar in libations, (an ox requiring a half hin, and a lamb, a quarter hin,) then where the rule for a lamb burnt-offering is not the same as that of a lamb of peace-offerings, (the first being burned and the second eaten,) how much more so should they not be similar in libations! It is, therefore, written "shall you present with the brunt-offering or the sacrifice" — Even though the rule (for the offering) is not the same, the libations are. R. Nathan says: "shall you present with the burnt-offering": This is the burnt-offering of a leper (i.e., even though it is mandatory and not vow or gift, it requires libations). "or the sacrifice": This is his (the leper's) sin-offering. "or the sacrifice": This is his guilt-offering. "for each lamb": to include the burnt-offering of a woman after birth as requiring libations. "for each lamb": to include (as requiring libations) the eleventh (which one erroneously designated as the first-born beast-tithe (instead of the tenth). For we nowhere find in the entire Torah that the secondary (the eleventh in this instance, which requires libations,) is severer than the primary (the tenth, which does not). "And if it is a ram, then you shall present as the meal-offering (two esronim of flour mixed with a third of a hin of oil": Scripture here comes to differentiate between the libations for a lamb and those for a ram. For it would follow (otherwise), viz.: cattle require libations and sheep require libations. If Scripture did not differentiate between the libations for a calf, and those for an ox, so, it would not differentiate between those for a lamb and those for a ram. It is, therefore, written "And if it is a ram, then you shall present as a meal-offering, etc." Scripture differentiates between the libations for a lamb, ("a quarter of a hin") and those of a ram ("a third of a hin"). Abba Channan says in the name of R. Eliezer: Why is this written? For it would follow (otherwise), viz.: If where libations (in general) were increased, no differentiation was made between a calf and an ox, then where libations (in general) were decreased, how much more so should no differentiation be made between a lamb and a ram! It is, therefore, written "And if it is a ram, then you shall present as a meal-offering, etc." Scripture hereby apprises us that even though libations (in general) were decreased, a differentiation was made between a lamb and a ram. (Ibid.) "mixed with oil, a third of a hin": For it would follow (otherwise), viz.: Since the lamb of the omer requires two esronim (viz. Vayikra 23:13), and the ram of a burnt-offering requires two esronim, then just as I learned about the lamb of the omer that even though its esronim were doubled, its libations were not doubled (viz. Ibid.), so, the ram of the burnt-offering, even though its esronim were doubled, its libations should not be doubled; it is, therefore, written "And if it is a ram, then you shall present as the meal-offering, etc., mixed with oil, etc." Scripture hereby apprises us that just as its esronim were doubled, so, its libations were doubled (i.e., increased). "with oil a third of a hin and wine for libations": oil for mixing; wine, for libations. "shall you offer, a sweet savor to the L-rd": It gives Me pleasure that I say, and My will is done. (Bamidbar, Ibid. 8) "And if you offer a bullock as a burnt-offering or as a sacrifice for an expressed vow, etc.": "Bullock" was included in the general category and it departed from that category (for special mention) to teach about the category that just as a bullock comes for a vow or a gift and requires libations, so, all that come for a vow or a gift require libations. (Ibid. 9) "Then he shall present with the bullock a meal-offering": What is the intent of this? Because it is written (Ibid. 3) "And you shall offer a fire-offering to the L-rd," I might think that if he said "I vow to bring a burnt-offering; I vow to bring peace-offerings," he brings one libation for both; it is, therefore, written "or as a sacrifice (of peace-offerings)," whereby we are taught that he brings one for each in itself. Or (I might think that) even if he said "I vow to bring five oxen for a burnt-offering; five oxen for peace-offerings," I might think that he brings one libation for all; it is, therefore, written "a burnt-offering or a sacrifice," whereby we are taught he brings one for each in itself. Abba Channan says in the name of R. Eliezer: What is the intent of "or a sacrifice"? For it would follow: If (even though) what transpires with a lamb burnt-offering is the same as that which transpires with an ox burnt-offering (i.e., that they are entirely burnt), still, they are not equivalent for libations, then, where what transpires with an ox burnt-offering is not the same as that which transpires with ox peace-offerings, (which are eaten), how much more so should they not be equivalent in libations; it is, therefore, written "or as a sacrifice (of peace-offerings)," to teach that even though they are not equivalent in what transpires with them, they are equivalent for libations. (Ibid. 10) "And wine shall you offer for libations": oil for mixing; wine, for libations — on bowls. You say "on bowls," but perhaps (the intent is) on the fire. If you say this, you will put out the fire, and the Torah writes (Vayikra 6:6) "A perpetual fire is to be kept burning on the altar, not to go out." How, then, am I to understand "for libations"? As meaning "on bowls." "a sweet savor to the L-rd": It gives Me pleasure that I say, and My will is done." (Ibid. 11) "Thus shall it be done for the one ox": Scripture here tells us that the Torah did not differentiate between the libations for a calf and those for an ox. For it would follow (otherwise), viz.: Sheep require libations and cattle require libations. If I have learned that the Torah differentiates between libations for a lamb and those for a ram, then so should it differentiate between those for a calf and those for an ox. It is, therefore, written "Thus shall it be done for the one ox," (big or small), the Torah not differentiating between the libations for a calf and those for an ox. Abba Channan says in the name of R. Eliezer: Why is this written? For it would follow otherwise, viz.: If where libations (in general) were decreased, a differentiation was made between a calf and an ox, then, where libations (in general) were increased, how much more so should a differentiation be made between a calf and an ox! It is, therefore, written "Thus shall it be done for the one ox." Scripture hereby apprises us that even though libations (in general) were increased, no differentiation was made between a calf and an ox. (Ibid.) "or for the one ram": Why is this written? For it would follow otherwise, viz.: Since we find that the Torah differentiated between the libations of a one-year old ("a lamb") and the libations of a two-year old ("a ram"), so it should differentiate between the libations of a two-year old and those of a three-year old. Scripture hereby apprises us (by "the one ram") that no such differentiation was made. (Ibid.) "or for the lamb among the sheep": Why is this written? For it would follow otherwise, viz.: Since we find that the Torah differentiated between the libations for a sheep and those for a ram, so it should differentiate between the libations for a ewe (female)-lamb and those for a (ewe-) sheep. We are hereby apprised (by "the [female] lamb [one year old] among the sheep [two years old]") that no such differentiation was made. (Ibid.) "or among the goats": Why is this written? For it would follow otherwise, viz.: Since we find that the Torah differentiated between the libations for a lamb and those for a ram, so it should differentiate between those for a kid and those for a (full-grown) he-goat; it is, therefore, written "or among the goats." The largest of the goats is hereby equated with the youngest of the lambs. Just as the latter, three logs (i.e., a quarter of a hin), so, the former, three logs. (Ibid. 12) "Thus shall you do for (each) one": This tells me only of these (i.e., the original sacrifices). Whence do I derive (the same for) their exchanges? From "Thus shall you do for each one." (Ibid. "According to the number (of animals) that you offer": He may not decrease (the number of libations). — But perhaps if he wishes to increase (the number) he may do so. It is, therefore, (to negate this) written "According (i.e., strictly according) to their number." These are the words of R. Yoshiyah. R. Yonah says: This (derivation) is not needed. For it is already written (Ibid. 15) "All the native-born shall do (precisely) thus, these things" — neither to decrease nor to increase. What, then, is the intent of "According to the number that you offer"? I might think that if he wishes to double (the original number as a gift) he may do so. It is, therefore, written "Thus shall you offer (libations) for (each) one, according to their number." From here they ruled: It is permitted to intermix the libations for bullocks with those of rams; the libations of lambs with the libation of (other) lambs; the libations of individuals with those of the congregation; the libations of the day with those of the preceding evening (— their numbers being the same.) But it is not permitted to intermix the libations of lambs with those of bullocks and rams (— their numbers not being the same).

(Devarim 14:29) "and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow that are in your gates": I might think (that they take poor-tithe) whether or not they are needy. And do not wonder about this, for it is written (Ibid. 24;17) "You shall not take as a pledge the garment of a widow" — whether rich or poor. It is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:22) "To the poor man and to the stranger shall you leave them." Just as a poor man is needy, so, all (to take poor-tithe) must be needy.

(Devarim 16:9) "Seven weeks shall you count for yourself": I might think that beth-din (is being exhorted to do the counting); it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 22:15) "And you shall count for yourselves" — each individual (is exhorted to do the counting).

(Devarim 16:13) "The festival of Succoth shall you make for yourself, seven days": Why is this stated? Because it is written (Vayikra 23:34) "the festival of Succoth, seven days, for the Most High," I might think (that it is being made for the L-rd); it is, therefore, written "shall you make for yourself."

R. Eliezer says: Just as one does not fulfill his obligation on the first day of the festival with his neighbor's lulav, so, he does not fulfill it with his neighbor's succah, it being written "shall you make for yourself." And the sages say: He does not fulfill his obligation with his neighbor's lulav, it being written (Vayikra 23:40) "And you shall take for yourselves the fruit of the hadar tree (the ethrog), branches of date-palms (the lulav), a bough of the tree avoth (hadas), and willows of the brook (aravoth)" — one (set) for each individual; but he does fulfill his obligation with his neighbor's succah, it being written (Ibid. 42) "Every native in Israel shall dwell in Succoth" — all of Israel may dwell in one succah.

(Bamidbar 28:16) "And in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, it is Pesach to the L-rd": Scripture (here) makes it mandatory (and not optional.) (Ibid. 28:17) "for seven days matzoth shall be eaten": I might think that any matzoth (may be eaten [e.g., even those made of rice]). It is, therefore, written (Devarim 16:3) "You shall not eat chametz with it. Seven days shall you eat matzoth with it." Only that which can be matzah (unleavened) or chametz (leavened) (is forbidden in the leavened state). These are the five varieties: wheat, barley, spelt, rye, or oats. This excludes rice, millet, sesame, paragim, which never become matzah or chametz, but only decay.

(Bamidbar 28:26) "And on the day of the first-fruits (Shavuoth), when you offer a new meal-offering to the L-rd": What is the intent of this? From (Vayikra 23:16) "Until the morrow of the seventh week shall you count fifty days," I might think (either) that he counts forty-nine days and offers the meal-offering on the fiftieth, or that he counts fifty days and offers the meal-offering on the fifty-first. It is, therefore, written "And on the day of the first-fruits, when you offer a new meal-offering to the L-rd in (the completion of) your weeks," whence we find that it is not the second rending that is to be accepted, but the first — Count (up to) fifty, and offer the meal-offering on the fiftieth. — But I still can say: Offer the meal-offering on the fiftieth and observe the festival on the fifty-first! It is, therefore, (to negate this), written "in your weeks" (and not after them), "a calling of holiness." "a new meal-offering to the L-rd": that it be the newest of the meal-offerings, that no other meal-offering precede it. From here it was ruled: The meal-offering of the first-fruits and the meal-offering of (i.e., accompanying) a beast is not brought (from the new crop) before the omer; and if it is brought, it is not fit. Before the two loaves (of Shavuoth), he should not bring it; but if he brought it, it is kasher. R. Tarfon said: Since the omer permits (for eating by men), and the two loaves permit (for sacrifice to the L-rd), then if I have learned about meal-offerings that precede the omer that they are unfit, the meal-offerings that precede the two loaves are also unfit. R. Yehudah b. Nachman said to him: No, this may be true of meal-offerings that precede the omer, which are kasher neither for (sacrifice to) the L-rd nor for (eating by) men. Would you say the same — that they are unfit — for (meal-offerings that precede) the two loaves? Even though they are not kasher for the L-rd, they are kasher for men! R. Akiva looked at him (R. Yehudah b. Nachman) and saw his face shining, whereupon he said to him: "Yehudah b. Nachman, your face is shining, for you have 'bested' the elder" (R. Tarfon). I doubt that you will live much longer." R. Elazar b. R. Yehudah said: This happened on Pesach, and when I came for the atzereth (Shavuoth) and asked: "Where is Yehudah b. Nachman?", I was told "He has passed away."

(Bamidbar 29:12) "And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, a calling of holiness shall there be for you": Scripture makes it mandatory. (Ibid. 13) "And you shall present a burnt-offering, a fire-offering, a sweet savor to the L-rd": If one found bullocks but not rams, or rams but not lambs, I might think that he does not sacrifice any until he finds all. It is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:36) "Seven days shall you present a fire-offering to the L-rd," implying (if he found) even one. I might think that even if all are found, (he may present only one). It is, therefore, written "thirteen young bullocks, two rams, etc." Whence is derived the water libation on Succoth? R. Akiva says: It is written that the omer is to be brought on Pesach so that the grain be blessed for you, and bring bikkurim on Shavuoth so that the fruits be blessed for you. Also, (by induction), present a water libation on Succoth so that the rains of the year be blessed for you. R. Yehudah says: On the second day it is written "veniskehem" ("and their libations"); on the sixth, "unesachehah"; and on the seventh, "kemishpatam" — (superfluous) Mem Yod Mem, which spells "mayim" (water) — whence the water libation (on Succoth) is Scripturally intimated. R. Nathan says: What is the intent of (Bamidbar 28:7) "On the holy place (the altar) pour a pouring"? To include the water (libation).

(Ibid. 2) "Then you shall take of the first of all the fruits of the earth": I might think that all the fruits are subject to the mitzvah of bikkurim; it is, therefore, written "of the first," and not all of the first. And I still would not know which are subject and which are not. I, therefore, reason: Communal bikkurim (the omer and the two breads) are mentioned elsewhere (viz. Vayikra 23:17), and individual bikkurim are mentioned here. Just as the communal meal-offerings, mentioned elsewhere (wheat and barley) are from the seven species, so, the individual offerings, mentioned here, are from the seven species. — But why not say: Just as there, (only) wheat and barley (are mentioned), here, too, wheat and barley! Whence are the others (of the seven species) to be derived? It is, therefore, written (Shemoth 34:26) "the bikkurim of your land," to include (all of the seven species mentioned in praise of your land). Since Scripture includes (i.e., all of the seven species) and excludes (five of them [in the instance of communal bikkurim]), you revert to the original (reasoning), viz.: Individual bikkurim are mentioned here, and communal bikkurim are mentioned elsewhere. Just as the communal bikkurim (wheat and barley) are of the seven species mentioned in praise of the land, so, the individual bikkurim are of the seven species mentioned in praise of the land. And they are (Ibid. 8:8) ("a land of) wheat, barley, grapevine, fig, and pomegranate, a land of olive-oil and honey."

Jeremiah asked the Holy One four things at the hour when he separated from Him, on two he received an answer and on two he did not. They are: despising, rejection, abandonment and forgetting. Since Jeremiah saw the outlandish judgments which He brought upon Jerusalem he stood astonished, saying: is it possible that the Holy One will return to them after this? Then he asked the Holy One about these four things. So it says at the end of the scroll of lamentations “Why do You forget us forever, forsake us so long?” (Lamentations 5:20) “For if You have utterly rejected us, You have been exceedingly wroth against us.” (Lamentations 5:22) This is like a king who had a matron who was very beloved to him. Because the matron knew that the king loved her too much she violated the king’s honor and transgressed his decrees. One time decreed upon her that his servants come and drag her by her hair. Her dear friend who was present stood astonished, and seeing this immediately ran to come before the king. He said to him: my master the king, tell me what you intend. If you intend to return to her, then a man should rule over his wife. If you do not intend to return to her, you should divorce her that she can go and marry another. So Jeremiah said before the Holy One: Master of the World! “Have You indeed rejected Judah? Has Your soul despised Zion?” (Jeremiah 14:19) If Your intention is to return to her “Why have You smitten us and we have no cure?” (ibid.) He replied: go to your teacher, and to the teacher of your teacher – Moshe, the teacher of all the prophets. This is what I said to him at the end of all the curses: “But despite all this, while they are in the land of their enemies, I will not despise them nor will I reject them…” (Leviticus 26:44) Here we see that on two he received an answer and on two he did not. Since Zion saw that Jeremiah asked four things of the Holy One - despising, rejection, abandonment and forgetting – and that the Holy One answered him about despising and rejection but not about abandonment and forgetting, she began to make claims regarding the other two. “And Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me.’” (Isaiah 49:14) Another explanation. And Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, and has forgotten me.’ The verse doesn’t say this, but rather ‘The Lord has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me.’ Why does it say ‘the Lord and the Lord’? She said to Him: even the two attributes of mercy which are written about You “Lord, Lord, benevolent God, Who is compassionate and gracious…” (Exodus 34:6) have abandoned me and forgotten me. Another explanation. He forfeited me to all the nations, gleanings, forgotten sheaves and the corners of the fields as it says “When you reap the harvest of your Land…you shall leave these for the poor person and for the stranger.” (Leviticus 23:22) Another explanation. ‘The Lord has forsaken me (azavtani).’ He loaded me up with many punishments as it is written “You shall surely help along with him (azov ta’azov).” (Exodus 23:5) Another explanation. ‘The Lord has forsaken me.’ That is, made me worth abandoning, as it is written “…and the Lord shall pour out their vessels.” (Isaiah 3:17) This comes to teach that He hinted to their springs and they poured forth and they were sunk in blood and abandoned and they cast them away. The Holy One said to them: complainers the sons of complainers! I was engaged with the first man, in order to make him a helpmate, as it says “…I shall make him a helpmate opposite him,” (Genesis 2:18) and he complained about Me, “The woman whom You gave to be with me she gave me…” (Genesis 3:12) I was engaged with Yaakov’s son to make him king over Egypt, “Now Joseph was the ruler over the land…” (Genesis 42:6) and He complained before Me, saying “My way has been hidden from the Lord…” (Isaiah 40:27) Even his sons did the same in the wilderness! I was engaged in choosing for them an easy food like that which kings eat, so that not one of them should be seized by indigestion or diarrhea, and they complained before Me, saying “…and we are disgusted with this rotten bread.” (Numbers 21:5) So too Zion did to Me. I was engaged in removing the kingdoms from the world, haven’t I already removed Babylon, Maday and Greece? I was about to cause the fourth kingdom to pass away and she complained before Me, saying ‘You have abandoned me, You have forgotten me.’ Another explanation. Knesset Yisrael said before the Holy One: You have forgotten that might which my children mentioned before you at the sea “The Eternal's strength…” (Exodus 15:2) Another explanation. “And Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me.’” (Isaiah 49:14) Forsaken is the same as forgotten! R’ Elazar said: Knesset Yisrael said before the Holy One – Master of the World! A man who marries another wife in addition to his first still remembers the actions of the first, but You have forsaken me. The Holy One replied to her – my daughter, I created twelve constellations in the firmament opposite the twelve tribes and for each constellation I created thirty troops, and for each troop I created thirty routes, and on each route I created thirty legions, and for each legion I created thirty camps, and for each camp I created thirty squares, and for each square I created three hundred and sixty-five stars like the number of the days of the solar calendar. All of these I created only for you, and you say ‘He has forgotten me, He has abandoned me?!’ “Shall a woman forget her sucking child (ulah)…” (Isaiah 49:15) I will never forget the burnt offerings (olot) and firstborns which you offered before Me. She said before Him - Master of the World! Since there is no forgetting before Your Holy Throne, maybe then You will not forget what I did with the Golden Calf? He replied to her – I will also forget this. She said before Him – Master of the World! Since there is forgetting before Your Holy Throne, maybe you will forget what I did at Mount Sinai? He said to her “I will not forget you.” (ibid.)