Midrash su Levitico 25:2

(Lev. 25:14:) “When you sell property to your kinsman.” This text is related (to Prov. 28:22), “An evil-eyed person moves quickly after wealth, [and he does not know that loss will come to him].” This verse speaks about many people. “An evil-eyed person moves quickly after wealth.” This was Cain. The Holy One, blessed be He, said, “You moved quickly to inherit the world. By your life, you shall have a loss [in the matter].” Ergo (in Prov. 28:22), “and he does not know that loss will come to him.” And what happened to him? That he wandered about the world, as stated (in Gen. 4:12), “you shall become a ceaseless wanderer on the earth.” Another interpretation (of Prov. 28:22), “An evil-eyed person moves quickly after wealth”: This was Ephron the Hittite.¹See Tanh. (Buber), Exod. 6:5; and the parallels listed there; and Tanh. (Buber), Deut. 4:4. When Abraham's wife Sarah died, Abraham went to Ephron for him to sell him the cave. Ephron said to him, “Give me its price.” He said to him (in Gen. 23:15), “What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between you and me?” Abraham began piling up the silver for Ephron, as stated (in Gen. 23:16), “So Abraham heeded Ephron, and Abraham weighed out […].” Ben Ma'ma said, “Although R. Hanina has said, ‘All the shekels in the Torah are sela'im,’ these [shekels] are an exception, since they are centenaria.²The word is Latin. One centenarium was worth 100,000 sesterces. According to a fourth-century inscription of northern Africa, a centenarium was a hundred pieces (e.g., of gold). See A. Souter, A Glossary of Later Latin to 600 A.D. (Oxford: Clarendon, 1957). [So it was] four hundred centenaria [that] Abraham piled up before Ephron.” When Ephron saw the silver, he moved quickly and hastily, as stated (in Gen. 23:6), “bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “You have moved quickly after money. By your life, you shall have a loss in the matter.” And what was his loss? R. Judah bar Shallum the Levite said, “Every [mention of] Ephron which is written here [in Scripture], before he took the silver from Abraham, is written plene as 'prwn (i.e., with the vowel o represented by the Hebrew consonant w); but this [usage] (in Gen. 23:16) is deficient (hsr), ‘and Abraham weighed out the silver for Ephron ('prn). It is written with the w missing (hsr).” Another interpretation (of Prov. 28:22), “An evil-eyed person moves quickly after wealth”: This is the one who lends at interest, because he is anxious to become wealthy. He lends in order to receive interest from the borrower and becomes wealthy from the interest. But a curse is given through his riches, as stated (ibid., cont.), “and he does not know that loss will come to him.” Another interpretation (of Prov. 28:22), “An evil-eyed person moves quickly after wealth”: This represents those who engage in business in the sabbatical year, in that they move quickly to become rich. They do not observe the sabbatical year, and think they will become rich. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them, “By your life, you shall have a loss in the matter.” Since he did not observe the sabbatical year, the curse began entering into his money, and he sells [all that he had]. What is written above the matter (in Lev. 25:2), “the land shall observe a Sabbath for the Lord.” And after that it is written (in vs. 14), “When you sell property.” R. Eleazar Haqappar said, “It is written (in Cant. 5:15), ‘His legs are pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold.’ This column has a capital above and a pedestal³Gk.: basis. below.”⁴See Lev. R. 25:8. R. Samuel ben Guriah said, “You have no section in the Torah which does not have a capital above and a pedestal below.⁵The parallel in Lev. R. 25:8 explains that each section can be expounded with reference to what precedes and follows it. What is written above of the matter (in Lev. 25:1-2)? ‘Then the Lord spoke unto Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, “Speak unto the Children of Israel [….] ‘the land shall observe [a Sabbath for the Lord].’”’ Then after that [comes] the section on the jubilee (in vs. 8), ‘And you shall count seven [Sabbaths of years].’ If one has not observed the sabbatical year and the jubilee, or [even] one of them, in the end, I will make it that he will sell his land, [as stated] (in vs. 14), ‘When you sell property to your kinsman.’⁶T’Arakh. 5:9; below, 9:8. [If] he repents, [all] is well; but if not, he will end up selling his field, as stated (in vs. 25), ‘When your relative becomes poor and sells some of his property.’ [If] he repents, that is preferable; but if not, he will end up selling his house, as stated (in vs. 29), ‘And when someone sells a dwelling house.’ [If] he repents, that is preferable; but if not, he will end up going around [begging] at doorways, as stated (in vs. 35), ‘And when your relative becomes poor [… you shall maintain him as a foreigner and sojourner and let him live near you].’ [If] he repents, that is preferable; but if not, he will end up being sold to you, as stated (in vs. 39), ‘And when your relative becomes poor] near you and is sold to you.’ [If] he repents, that is preferable; but if not, he will end up being sold to the gentiles, as stated (in vs. 47), ‘And when a foreigner and a sojourner near you becomes wealthy, [while your relative near him becomes poor and is sold to a sojourning foreigner near you….].’ Now it is not merely the individual himself [at issue here], but that person and all Israel; for so you find in the days of Jeremiah, because they profaned the sabbatical year, they were sold to the gentiles, as stated (in II Chron. 36:17-18), ‘So He brought up the king of the Chaldeans upon them [….] And all the vessels of the house of God […] and the treasures of the house of the Lord […].’ Behold the case of [all] Israel.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses, “See how they will be sold to the gentiles because they profaned the sabbatical year.” He said to him, “Master of the world, did You not say this (in Lev. 25:35), ‘And when your relative becomes poor, and his strength fails near you, [you shall maintain him as a foreigner and sojourner and let him live near you]?’ Fulfill what You said to them and called them, ‘My relatives (ah) and friends,’ as stated (in Ps. 122:8), ‘For the sake of My relatives (ah) and friends’: (Lev. 25:35:) ‘And when your relative becomes poor, and his strength fails near you,’ [i.e.,] when their strength fails before Nebuchadnezzar, the Divine Presence, as it were, will be with them. It is so stated (in Is. 43:14), ‘for your sake I have sent to Babylon.’ (Lev. 25:35, cont.:) ‘You shall maintain (literally, hold on to) him.’ Hold them (i.e., Israel), lest they perish. But how? (Lev. 25:35, cont.:) ‘As a foreigner and sojourner and let him live near you.’ Although they became foreigners and sojourners in Babylon, if You do not give them grace, they will perish, [so just] ‘let him live near You.’” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “Because of their sins I have sold My house to the Chaldeans.” It is so stated (in Lev. 25:29), “And when someone sells a dwelling house.” This is the house of the Holy One, blessed be He, as stated (in Ps. 132:13), “For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for His dwelling.” And what happened [to it]? (II Kings 25:9 = Jer. 52:13:) And he burned the house of the Lord [...].” (Lev. 25:29, cont.:) “A walled city.” This is the city of the Holy One, blessed be He, as stated] (in II Chron. 36:19), “and they broke down the wall of Jerusalem […].” That is what the Holy One, blessed be He, says (in Lev. 25:47), “And when a foreigner and a sojourner [near you] becomes wealthy.” This wealthy foreigner is Nebuchadnezzar, and this sojourner is the Median Empire. (Ibid., cont.:) “And is sold to a sojourning foreigner.” This [sojourning foreigner] is the Greek Empire. (Ibid., cont.:) “Or to a foreigner's family.” This is the Edomite Empire (i.e., Rome). Moses said to the Holy One, blessed be He, “Master of the world, why were they sold to these empires?” He said to him, “Because they profaned the sabbatical year.” It is so stated (in II Chron. 36:20–21), “Then he carried off unto Babylon those left from the sword,” and the end of the Scripture is “[until the land made up] its Sabbaths; as long as it lay desolate, it observed Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.” Therefore the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses at the end of all of these sections, “Is it your wish that they do not go into exile? [Then] warn them concerning the sabbatical years and the jubilees.” That is what He has said at the end of all the sections (in Lev. 26:2), “You shall observe My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary. I am the Lord.” What is the meaning of “I am the Lord?” I am the one who is going to give you a good reward, if you observe them; but if not, I am going to exact retribution from them through the Empires. Therefore, say to them to be careful about the sabbatical year. Thus it is stated (in Lev. 25:2), “the land shall observe a Sabbath for the Lord,” so that they do not attain [the punishments in] those sections written below (in Lev. 26:14-45). (Lev. 25:14:) “When you sell property to your kinsman or buy from your neighbor's hand, do not deceive.” [Thus] you shall not deceive one another. The Holy One, blessed be He, said, “For I also sold the whole world to Abraham and did not deceive him. He [then went back and sold it to Me,” as stated (Genesis 14:19), “the Buyer⁷Qoneh. A more traditional rendering of this word here would be MAKER. of heaven and earth.” When? When Abraham observed the commandments of the Holy One, blessed be He. Before the Torah was given to Israel, our father Abraham kept it [and observed all the commandments that are in the Torah]. R. Samuel bar Nahman said in the name of R. Alexandra, “Abraham even observed the [rabbinic precept of] eruvim of cooked foods.”⁸See Tanh. (Buber), Gen. 3:1, and the notes there. Thus it is stated (in Gen. 26:5), “Because ('qb 'shr) Abraham heeded [My voice and kept My charge: My commandments, My statutes, and My Torahs].” What is the meaning of 'qb?⁹Gen. R. 95:3; Cant. R. 5:16:1; PR 21:12; cf. Ned. 32a. R. Simeon ben Laqish said, “At the age of three years Abraham recognized the Holy One, blessed be He.”¹⁰So also Numb. R. 18:21. According to other traditions Abraham recognized his creator at the age of forty-eight (Gen. R. 30:8; 46:2; Cant. R. 5:16:1), at the age of fifty (PR 21:12), or at the age of one (Gen. R. 95:3). How is this shown? 'Qb is a number. (I.e., 'ayin) is seventy, q (i.e., qof) is one hundred, [and] b (i.e., bet) is two, for a total of one hundred seventy-two. Now (according to Gen. 25:7) Abraham lived one hundred seventy-five [years]. Deduct from them. [The result is] three, when he was little. Ergo, at the age of three years Abraham recognized the Holy One, blessed be He. When the Holy One, blessed be He, saw how Abraham loved the commandments, He began buying heavenly and earthly [places] for him, as stated (in Gen. 14:19), “Blessed be Abram of God most high, Buyer of heaven and earth.” So also it says (Gen. 13:15), “For all the land (or earth) which you see, to you I will give it.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said, “All the world is wholly Mine; and I bought it for Abraham, because he has observed My commandments. But you, through your sins, have caused him to be [like] an alien who rents a house from its owners, for so Jeremiah has said (in Jer. 14:8), ‘why are you like a foreigner in the land […]?’ When you sinned before Me, I sold you, as stated (in Ps. 44:13), ‘You shall sell Your people for no money […].’ For that reason, if someone has to sell a house, a field, or [some] article, you shall not deceive one another.” It is therefore written (in Lev. 25:14), “shall not deceive his brother.” (Lev. 25:15-18:) “According to the years after the jubilee […]. According to the multitude of years, you shall increase […]. A man shall not deceive his brother […]. So you shall carry out my statutes and judgements.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel, “Just as I sold my people and returned again to reinstate them, as stated (Jer. 3:14), ‘”Turn back, faithless children,” says the Lord; “for I am a master to you.”’ It is also written (in Is. 52:3), ‘For thus says the Lord, “You were sold for free, and you shall be redeemed for no money.”’ So too you should not sell the land absolutely, as stated (in Lev. 25:23), ‘[it] shall not be sold permanently.’ The Land [of Israel] is dear to me because I have made it holier than all the [other] lands in the world.” You yourself know, when the Land of Israel was distributed to the tribes, it did not pass from tribe to tribe. Rather [it was distributed] to each tribe separately. You yourself know. Look at how many lawsuits the daughters of Zelophehad brought, so that their inheritance would not pass from one tribe to another. Moreover the Holy One, blessed be He, conceded to their words, as stated (in Numb. 27:7), “The daughters of Zelophehad speak what is right.” (Numb. 36:9:) “Thus no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another.” Therefore, if a redeemer is found for it, fine; but if not, whoever buys it acquires it until the jubilee. Then on the jubilee he releases it. Thus it is stated (in Lev. 25:41), “Then he shall depart from you, he and his children with him and he shall return to his family.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel, “When the year of the redemption draws near, I will redeem you, as stated (in Is. 63:4), ‘For a day of vengeance was in My heart, but there came My year of redemption.’”

Another interpretation (of Prov. 28:22): [< AN EVIL-EYED PERSON > MOVES QUICKLY AFTER WEALTH…. ] This represents those who engage in business in the Sabbatical Year, in that they move quickly to become rich. They do not observe the Sabbatical Year but are intent on becoming rich. The Holy One said to them: You have moved quickly to become rich from the Sabbatical Year. By your life, you shall have a loss in the matter. But he only acted when he did not observe the Sabbatical Year. The curse began entering into his money, and he sold all that he had. What is written elsewhere on the matter (in Lev. 25:2): THE LAND SHALL OBSERVE A SABBATH FOR THE LORD. And after that it is written (in vs. 14): AND WHEN YOU MAKE A SALE.

1) And whence is it derived that the thirty day period before Rosh Hashanah is regarded as the entire year? From "And on the seventh year a Sabbath of resting shall there be for the land" (the month of Rosh Hashanah being regarded as a year in itself) — whence they ruled: The shevi'ith year of benoth shuach (a type of fig) is the second year (after the shevi'ith in which it matured) because it matures every three years. R. Yehudah says: The shevi'ith year of the Persian figs is the end of Shevi'ith, for they mature every two years. They said to him: They stated it only about benoth shuach.

R. Eleazar haQappar said: It is written (in Cant. 5:15): HIS LEGS ARE PILLARS OF MARBLE, SET UPON SOCKETS OF FINE GOLD…. If a column does not have a capital above and a pedestal⁴Gk.: basis. below, it does not seem beautiful.⁵Tanh., Lev. 9:1; see Lev. R. 25:8. R. Samuel ben Gedaliah said: You do have no section in the Torah which does not have a capital above and a pedestal below.⁶The parallel in Lev. R. 25:8 explains that each section can be expounded with reference to what precedes and follows it. What is written above of the matter (in Lev. 25:1–2:)? THEN THE LORD SPOKE UNTO MOSES ON MOUNT SINAI, SAYING: SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL [….] THE LAND SHALL OBSERVE < A SABBATH FOR THE LORD >. Then after that < comes > the section on the Jubilee (in vs. 8): AND YOU SHALL COUNT SEVEN SABBATHS OF YEARS. If one has not observed the Sabbatical Year and the Jubilee, he will end up selling his chattels, [as stated] (in vs. 14): AND WHEN YOU MAKE A SALE….⁷T’Arakh. 5:9; below, 9:8. < If > he repents, < all > is well; but if not, he will end up selling his field, [as stated] (in vs. 25): WHEN YOUR RELATIVE BECOMES POOR AND SELLS SOME OF HIS PROPERTY < …. > < If > he repents, that is preferable; but if not, he will end up selling his house, as stated (in vs. 29): AND WHEN SOMEONE SELLS A DWELLING HOUSE. < If > he repents, that is preferable; but if not, he will end up going around < begging > at doorways, as stated (in vs. 35): AND WHEN YOUR RELATIVE BECOMES POOR…, < YOU SHALL MAINTAIN HIM AS A FOREIGNER AND SOJOURNER AND LET HIM LIVE NEAR YOU >. < If > he repents, that is preferable; but if not, he will end up being sold to you, as stated (in vs. 39): [AND WHEN YOUR RELATIVE BECOMES POOR] NEAR YOU AND IS SOLD TO YOU < …. > < If > he repents, that is preferable; but if not, he will end up being sold to the gentiles, as stated (in vs. 47): AND WHEN A FOREIGNER AND A SOJOURNER NEAR YOU BECOMES WEALTHY, < WHILE YOUR RELATIVE NEAR HIM BECOMES POOR AND IS SOLD TO A SOJOURNING FOREIGNER NEAR YOU…. > Now it is not merely the individual himself < at issue here >, but that person and all Israel; for so you find in the days of Jeremiah, because they profaned the Sabbatical Year, they were sold to the gentiles, as stated (in II Chron. 36:17–18): SO HE BROUGHT UP THE KING OF THE CHALDEANS UPON THEM [….] AND ALL THE VESSELS OF THE HOUSE OF GOD […,] AND THE TREASURES OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD […,] < ALL THESE HE BROUGHT TO BABYLON >. Consider the case of Israel. The Holy One said to Moses: See how they will be sold to the gentiles because they profaned the Sabbatical Year. He said to him: Sovereign of the World, did you not say this (in Lev. 25:35): AND WHEN YOUR RELATIVE BECOMES POOR, [AND HIS STRENGTH FAILS NEAR YOU], < YOU SHALL MAINTAIN HIM AS A FOREIGNER AND SOJOURNER AND LET HIM LIVE NEAR YOU >? Fulfill what you said. [Israel is your brother (ah), as stated (in Ps. 122:8): FOR THE SAKE] OF MY RELATIVES (ah) AND FRIENDS. (Lev. 25:35:) AND WHEN YOUR RELATIVE BECOMES POOR, AND HIS STRENGTH FAILS NEAR YOU, < i.e., > when their strength fails before Nebuchadnezzar, the Divine Presence, as it were, will be with them. It is so stated (in Is. 43:14): FOR YOUR SAKE I HAVE SENT TO BABYLON. (Lev. 25:35, cont.:) YOU SHALL MAINTAIN HIM. Take them (i.e., Israel) by the hand, lest they perish by his (Babylon's) hand. But how? (Lev. 25:35, cont.:) AS A FOREIGNER AND SOJOURNER AND LET HIM LIVE NEAR YOU. Although they became foreigners and sojourners in Babylon, just LET HIM LIVE NEAR YOU. The Holy One said to him: Because of their sins I have sold my house to the Chaldeans, as stated (in Lev. 25:29): AND WHEN SOMEONE SELLS A DWELLING HOUSE. This is the house of the Holy One. Thus it is stated (in Ps. 132:13): FOR THE LORD HAS CHOSEN ZION; HE HAS DESIRED IT FOR HIS DWELLING. And what happened to it? (II Kings 25:9 = Jer. 52:13:) AND HE BURNED THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. (Lev. 25:29, cont.:) < IN > A WALLED CITY. [This is the city of the Holy One, as stated] (in II Chron. 36:19): AND THEY BROKE DOWN THE WALLS OF JERUSALEM…. That is what the Holy One says (in Lev. 25:47): AND WHEN A FOREIGNER AND A SOJOURNER < NEAR YOU > BECOMES WEALTHY. This wealthy foreigner is Nebuchadnezzar, and this sojourner is the Median empire. (Ibid., cont.:) < WHILE YOUR RELATIVE NEAR HIM BECOMES POOR > AND IS SOLD TO A SOJOURNING FOREIGNER NEAR YOU. This < sojourning foreigner] is the Greek empire. (Ibid., cont.:) OR TO AN OFFSHOOT OF A FOREIGNER'S FAMILY. This is the fourth empire (i.e., Rome). Moses said to the Holy One: Sovereign of the World: Why were they sold to these empires? He said to him: Because they profaned the Sabbatical Year. It is so stated (in II Chron. 36:20–21): THEN HE CARRIED OFF UNTO BABYLON THOSE LEFT FROM THE SWORD, AND THEY BECAME SLAVES TO HIM AND HIS CHILDREN, UNTIL THE RULE OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE, IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE WORD OF THE LORD IN THE MOUTH OF JEREMIAH, UNTIL THE LAND MADE UP ITS SABBATHS. AS LONG AS IT LAYDESOLATE, IT OBSERVED SABBATH, TO FULFILL SEVENTY YEARS. Therefore the Holy One said to Moses: Is it your wish that they do not go into exile? < Then > warn them concerning the Sabbatical Years and the Jubilees. That is what he has said at the end of all the sections (in Lev. 26:2): YOU SHALL OBSERVE MY SABBATHS AND REVERENCE MY SANCTUARY. I AM THE LORD. I am the one who is going to give you a good reward, if you observe them; but if not, I am going to exact retribution from them through the empires. Therefore, warn them about the Sabbatical Year. Thus it is stated (in Lev. 25:2): THE LAND SHALL OBSERVE A SABBATH FOR THE LORD, so that they do not attain < the punishments in > those sections written below (in Lev. 26:14–45).

2) (Vayikra 25:2) ("Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: When you come to the land that I give to you, the land shall rest a Sabbath to the L–rd.") "When you come": I might think (that this phrase subsumes) coming to Trans-Jordan; it is, therefore, written "to the land" — the specific land (i.e., Eretz Yisrael). I might think that it subsumes) coming to Ammon and Moav; it is, therefore, written "that I give to you," and not to Ammon and Moav. Whence do we derive that if they conquered (the land) but did not yet divide it (among themselves), or if they divided it by families, but not by fathers' houses, and no one recognizes his (specific) portion — I might think that shemitah is (still) binding on them. It is, therefore, written (Vayikra 25:3) "your field" — each one must recognize his field; "your vineyard" — each one must recognize his vineyard.

2) "a Sabbath to the L–rd": Just as the seventh day of creation is called "Sabbath to the L–rd," so, the seventh year. "your field you shall not sow, and your vineyard you shall not prune": (See Section 1:4 above)

3) We find, then, that when Israel crossed the Jordan, they became subject to (the ordinance of) challah, orlah, and chadash. On the sixteenth of Nissan they became subject to the omer. After fifty days, they became subject to the two loaves. After fourteen years, they became subject to the tithes. When they began to count for shemitah (after fourteen years of conquest and apportionment), on the twenty-first year (after entering [i.e., seven years after the apportionment]), they observed shemitah. On the sixty-third year (i.e., fifty years after the fourteen of conquest and apportionment), they observed Yovel.

4) ("And on the seventh year, a Sabbath of resting shall there be for the land, a Sabbath to the L–rd; your field you shall not sow, and your vineyard you shall not prune.") "and the land shall rest": I might think, from digging holes, pits, and caves and from repairing mikvaoth; it is, therefore, written "your field you shall not sow and your vineyard you shall not prune." This tells me only of sowing and pruning. Whence do I derive the same for plowing, hoeing, weeding, trimming, and notching? From (the inverted order) "your field not" and "your vineyard not" — every labor in your field and in your vineyard.

5) And whence is it derived that (on shemitah) it is forbidden to manure or to "release" (mounds of leaves) or to smoke leaves (to kill worms) or to powder (plants for fertilizing)? From "your field not." And whence is it derived that it is forbidden to trim or to cut or to hew trees? From "your field not."

6) Or "your field you shall not sow, and your vineyard you shall not prune": I might think that it is forbidden to hoe under the olive trees or to fill up cavities under the olive trees or to make ruts between one tree and another; it is, therefore, written "your field you shall not sow and your vineyard you shall not prune." Sowing and pruning were in the general category (of forbidden labor on shemitah). And why were they singled out (for distinct mention)? To have them serve as a parameter, viz.: Just as sowing and pruning are distinct in being labors for (both) field and trees, (so, all such labors are forbidden on shemitah — to exclude the above, which are not thus characterized). I might think that the year of Yovel itself is reckoned in the years of shemitah (i.e., that the fiftieth year, Yovel, is counted as the first year of the next shemitah period). It is, therefore, written (Vayikra 25:4) "Six years shall you sow your field and six years shall you prune your vineyard" — Years of sowing are reckoned in the years of shemitah (i.e., the six years preceding the seventh year must be all years of sowing), but the year of Yovel, (which is not a year of sowing) is not reckoned in the years of shemitah.

7) Whence is it derived that rice and millet and poppy and sesame which took root before Rosh Hashanah may be gathered in the seventh year? From "and you shall collect its produce. And (i.e., including) in the seventh year" (as in the above instance).

8) I might think, even if it did not take root; it is, therefore, written "Six years shall you sow your field … and you shall collect." (The plain meaning is) six for sowing and six for collecting, and not six for sowing and seven for collecting. (The first, then, must refer to what has not taken root before Rosh Hashanah, and the second, to what has.)

9) R. Yonasan b. Yosef says: Whence is it derived that produce which was of one-third growth before Rosh Hashanah (of the seventh year) may be gathered in the seventh year, (even if it brought forth only a third of its normal growth, it thus being considered a growth of the sixth year)? From "and you shall collect is produce" — even if it brought forth (only) a third (of its normal growth).

(Numb. 3:15:) “Enroll the Children of Levi.” This tribe was dearer to the Holy One, blessed be He,⁸⁶Numb. R. 3:8. than all the tribes, as stated (in I Sam. 2:28), “And I chose him from all the tribes of Israel to be My priest….” How so? The Holy One, blessed be He, created days and chose one of them for Himself, as stated (in Ps. 139:16), “days were formed, and one of them was His own.”⁸⁷English translations vary widely, but this interpretation is quite literal and fits the sense of the midrash. And which is it? R. Levi says, “This is the Sabbath.” He created years and chose one of them for Himself, i.e., the seventh, as stated (in Lev. 25:2), “Then the land shall observe a Sabbath for the Lord.” He created weeks [of years] and chose one of them for Himself, i.e., the Jubilee, as stated (in Lev. 25:10), “And you shall sanctify the fiftieth year.” He created countries, and chose one of them for Himself, [i.e.,] the land of Israel, as stated (in Deut. 11:12), “A land for which the Lord your God always cares.” And so the Holy One, blessed be He, calls it His land, as stated (in Joel 4:2), they have divided up My land. He created firmaments and chose one of them for Himself, i.e., ‘aravot,⁸⁸‘Aravot’ is the name of the seventh heaven. as stated (in Ps. 68:5), “Build a way for the One who rides in the 'aravot; the Lord is His name.” He created seventy peoples and chose one of them for Himself, i.e., Israel, as stated (in Deut. 7:6), “the Lord your God has chosen you to be for Himself a treasured people,” a worthy (KShR) nation, and you are worthy (KShR). Now (according to Deut. 7:6), “the Lord your God has chosen you….” Why did He choose you? Because He loved you, as stated (in Hos. 14:5), “I will love them generously”; and it is written (in Deut. 7:8), “Because the Lord loved you.” He created tribes and chose one of them for Himself, i.e., the tribe of Levi, as stated (in I Sam. 2:28), “And I chose him from all the tribes of Israel to be My priest….” He therefore especially cherishes him. So he says to Moses each time (as in Numb. 3:15), “Enroll the Children of Levi [….]” “Every male.” Why did he say, “every male,” and not mention the noun, female? Because the glory of God arises from the males. [Ergo,] “every male.” David has stated (in Ps. 127:3), “Behold, sons are the heritage of the Lord”; i.e., the males. “The fruit of the womb, a reward,” for if females come, says the Holy One, blessed be He, “they also are a reward.” And why does he enroll them [each and every time]? Because they are His troops,⁸⁹Gk.: taxeis. and the King has much joy in His troops. Moreover, you find that the whole tribe of Levi was diminished (in number). And why were they diminished? Because they see the Divine Presence much. So also when Israel came up from the captivity, they did not find any of them, because they had been diminished, as stated (in Ezra 8:15), “so I viewed the people and the priests, but I found there none of the Children of Levi.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said, “In this world they were destroyed, because they had seen the Divine Presence, since it is stated (in Exod. 33:20), “For no human shall see Me and live.” But in the future to come, when I restore my Divine Presence to Zion, I will be revealed in My glory over all Israel. Then they shall see Me and live forever. Thus it is stated (in Is. 52:8), “for eye to eye they shall see the return of the Lord to Zion.” And not only that, but they shall point out My glory to each other with the finger, while saying (in the words of Ps. 48:15), “For this God, our God...” It also says (in Is. 25:9), “And in that day they shall say, ‘See, this is our God; we waited for Him and He delivered us]; this is the Lord; we waited for Him. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.’”

(Numb. 3:15:) ENROLL THE CHILDREN OF LEVI. This tribe was particularly dear to the Holy One.¹⁰⁷Tanh., Numb. 1:17; Numb. R. 3:8. But why out of all the tribes was none chosen except this one, as stated (in I Sam. 2:28): AND I CHOSE HIM [FROM ALL THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL TO BE MY PRIEST….] How so? The Holy One created days and chose one of them for himself, as stated (in Ps. 139:16): DAYS WERE FORMED, AND ONE OF THEM WAS HIS OWN.¹⁰⁸English translations vary widely, but this interpretation is quite literal and fits the sense of the midrash. And which is it? R. Levi says: This is the Sabbath. He created years and chose one of them for himself, i.e., the seventh, as stated (in Lev. 25:2): THEN THE LAND SHALL OBSERVE A SABBATH FOR THE LORD. He created weeks <of years> and chose one of them for himself, i.e., the Jubilee, as stated (in Lev. 25:10): AND YOU SHALL SANCTIFY THE FIFTIETH YEAR. He created countries, and chose one of them for himself, <i.e.,> the land of Israel, as stated (in Deut. 11:12): A LAND FOR WHICH THE LORD YOUR GOD CARES; [THE EYES OF THE LORD YOUR GOD ARE ALWAYS UPON IT. [And so the Holy One calls it his land, as stated (in Joel 4[3]:2): THEY HAVE DIVIDED UP {HIS} [MY] LAND.] He created firmaments and chose one of them for himself, i.e., Aravot,¹⁰⁹‘Aravot is the name of the seventh heaven. as stated (in Ps. 68:5 [4]): BUILD A WAY FOR THE ONE WHO RIDES IN THE 'ARAVOT; THE LORD IS HIS NAME. He created peoples and chose one of them for himself, i.e., Israel, as stated (in Deut. 7:6): THE LORD YOUR GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU TO BE FOR HIMSELF A TREASURED PEOPLE, a nation of flesh, and you are flesh.¹¹⁰BSR. Cf. the parallel in Tanh., Numb. 1:17: “a worthy (KShR) nation, and you are worthy (KShR).” Now (according to Deut. 7:6): THE LORD YOUR GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU…. Why did he choose you? Because he loved you, as stated (in vs. 8): BECAUSE THE LORD LOVED YOU. He created tribes and chose one of them for himself, i.e., the tribe of Levi, as stated (in I Sam. 2:28): AND I CHOSE HIM [FROM ALL THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL….] He therefore especially cherishes you. So he says to Moses each time (as in Numb. 3:15): ENROLL THE CHILDREN OF LEVI <….> [EVERY MALE.] Why did he say: EVERY MALE, and not mention the noun, female? Because the glory of God arises from the males. <Ergo:> EVERY MALE. David has stated (in Ps. 127:3): BEHOLD, SONS ARE THE HERITAGE OF THE LORD; THE FRUIT OF THE WOMB, A REWARD. [SONS ARE THE HERITAGE OF THE LORD,] i.e., the males. THE FRUIT OF THE WOMB, A REWARD,] for if females come, they also are a reward. And why does he enroll them each and every time? Because they are his troops,¹¹¹Gk.: taxeis. and the king has much joy in his troops. Moreover, you find that the whole tribe of Levi was diminished (in number). And why were they diminished? Because they had seen the Divine Presence. So also when Israel came up from the captivity, they did not find any of them, because they had been diminished, as stated (in Ezra 8:15): SO I VIEWED THE PEOPLE AND THE PRIESTS, BUT I FOUND THERE NONE OF THE CHILDREN OF LEVI. The Holy One said: In this world they were destroyed, because they had seen the Divine Presence, since it is stated (in Exod. 33:20): FOR NO HUMAN SHALL SEE ME AND LIVE. In the world to come, however, when I restore my Divine Presence to Zion, I will be revealed in my glory over all Israel. Then they shall see me and live forever. Thus it is stated (in Is. 52:8): FOR EYE TO EYE THEY SHALL SEE <THE RETURN OF HE LORD TO ZION>. And not only that, but they shall point out my glory to each other with the finger while saying (in the words of Ps. 48:15): FOR THIS GOD, OUR GOD. It also says (In Is. 25:9): AND IN THAT DAY THEY SHALL SAY: SEE, THIS IS OUR GOD; WE WAITED FOR HIM [AND HE DELIVERED US]. THIS IS THE LORD; WE WAITED FOR HIM. LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN HIS SALVATION.

And to teach that we count (the years) from the exodus from Egypt, it being written "in the second year after their going out from the land of Egypt." When they came to the land, they began to count (shemitah, etc.) from their coming, as it is written (Vayikra 25:2) "When you come to the land, etc." When the Temple was built, they began to count from its building, viz. (I Kings 9:10) "And it was at the end of twenty years from Solomon's building, etc." When the Temple was destroyed, they began to count from its destruction, viz. (Ezekiel 40:1) "… in the fourteenth year of the city's being smitten." When the captivity intensified, they began to count from the captivity, viz. (Daniel 2:1) "And in the second year of the reign of Nevuchadnezzar, etc.", and (Chaggai 1:1) "And in the second year of King Darius, etc." And just as they counted for years, so they counted for months (e.g., [Shemot 19:1]) "In the third month of the exodus of the children of Israel from the land of Egypt."