Midrash su Proverbi 27:18

R. Huna said: "What is the meaning of the passage (Ps. 68, 11.) Thy assembly dwelt therein; Thou didst prepare it with Thy goodness for the afflicted people, O God! If a man make himself as a wild beast, which devours its prey immediately after killing, so also will the scholar repeat his teaching immediately after he hears it from his teacher until he knows it; or as others explain it, like a wild beast which eats even when in the mud, so will the scholar humiliate himself for the sake of study; thus he will retain his learning, otherwise he will not retain it. If he does so, however, the Holy One, praised be He! Himself will prepare a meal for him as is said immediately following, Thou didst prepare it with goodness for Thy afflicted, O God." R. Chiya b. Abba, in the name of R. Jochanan said: "What is the meaning of the passage (Pr. 27, 18.) Whoso guardeth the fig-tree, will eat its fruit. Why are the words of the Torah likened to a fig-tree? (Ib. b) Just as a fig-tree yields its fruits as often as one searches for it, so does the Torah yield new reasonings as often as a man utters it."

(Numb. 27:16:) “Let the Lord, [the God of the spirits of all flesh], appoint….” This text is related (to Is. 45:11), “Regarding the things to come, would you question Me concerning My children and command the work of My hands?”³⁰Although the two verbs in this citation are imperative, both the biblical context and the interpretation of the midrash regard these commands as unthinkable suggestions. A parable: To what is the matter comparable?³¹Numb. R. 21:12, cont. To a king who took a wife and had a best man (shoshevin). Every time that the king was angry with his wife, the best man would placate³²Rt. PYS. Cf. the Gk.: peisis or peisa (“persuasion”). him and the king would be reconciled. When the best man was about to die, he began to make a request of the king. He said to him, “Would you please pay attention to your wife [to be foregoing with her after I die].” The king said to him, “Instead of you charging me concerning my wife, charge my wife concerning me, that she be careful with my honor.” So did the Holy One, blessed be He, as it were, say to Moses, “Instead of you charging Me (in Numb. 27:16), ‘Appoint…,’ charge them concerning Me, that they be diligent with My honor.” What is written below (in Numb. 28:2)? “Command the Children of Israel, and say unto them, ‘My offering, My bread.’” What reason did [Moses] have to request this need after the ordering of inheritance? It is simply that since he saw the daughters of Zelophehad inherit the properties of their father, Moses said, “See it is the time for me to claim my needs. If daughters inherit, it is [also] proper for my sons to inherit my glory.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him (in Prov. 27:18), “’He who tends a fig tree will enjoy its fruit.’ Your sons sat [with] their own [concerns] and were not involved with Torah [study]. It is [more] appropriate that Joshua, who served you, serve Israel and not lose his compensation,” as stated (in Numb. 27:18), “Take Joshua bin Nun.” And why is the Torah compared to a fig tree? Since [the fruit of] most trees – the olive tree, the grapevine, the date palm – is gathered [all] at once, but the fig tree is gathered a little [at a time]. And so too is the Torah. Today he studies a little and tomorrow he studies much; as it is not taught in a year, nor in two. (Numb. 27:18:) “A man with the spirit of God with him.” Since you said (in Numb. 27:16), “’The God of the spirits of all flesh,’ since You know each and every one, one should be appointed who knows how to proceed with each and every one of them according to his temperament”; [so then (in Numb 27:18, cont.),] “lay your hand upon him,” like one who lights a candle from a candle. (Numb 27:20), “Invest him with your majesty,” like one who pours from one vessel to another vessel. Concerning that which I said to you (in Numb. 36:9), “So the inheritance will not move around from one tribe to another,” this glory will not move from the house of your father, as even Joshua who will arise in your place (according to Numb. 27:19), “shall stand in front of Elazar the priest” (nephew of Moses).

(Numb. 7:1:) “So it came to pass on the day that Moses had finished.” This text is related (to Prov. 27:18), “The one who tends a fig tree shall eat its fruit.” The Holy One, blessed be He, does not deprive any creature of a reward.⁸⁰Numb. R. 12:9. It is simply that in the case of anyone who toils and devotes his life to something, the Holy One, blessed be He, does not deprive him of his reward.⁸¹Cf. Mekhilta deRabbi Ishmael, Shirata, 1; PR 5:2, 6. It is therefore stated (in Prov. 27:18), “The one who tends a fig tree shall eat its fruit.” Do you want to understand? Solomon built the Temple, as stated (in I Kings 6:14), “So Solomon finished building the house.” But because David had devoted his life to the Temple which would be built, as stated (in Ps. 132:1-5), “Lord, remember David and all his hardships. How he swore to the Lord, [vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob]: Surely I will not come into the shelter of my house, […] until I find a place for the Lord,” the Holy One, blessed be He, did not deprive him of his reward. Rather He had it written in his name, as stated (in Ps. 30:1 [introduction]), “A psalm. A song of the dedication of the House of David.” And did David dedicate it? And behold Solomon dedicated it. It is simply that since David devoted his life to it, it is called by his name. Ergo Solomon said it well (in Prov. 27:18), “The one who tends a fig tree shall eat its fruit […].” So also you find in the case of the Tabernacle, when everyone devoted their lives [to it] and made the Tabernacle. All Israel volunteered. The women spun the goat's hair; and similarly (in Exod. 36:8), “Then all the wise-hearted ones among the workers [made the Tabernacle]. And likewise (according to Exod. 36:1), “Then let Bezalel and Oholiab [and all the wise-hearted ones …] do [all that the Lord has commanded].” But because Moses devoted his life to [the Tabernacle], it was called by his name, as stated (in Exod. 25:40), “Observe and make them [by means of] their pattern.” And Moshe went and devoted his life to each and every thing, so that they should make it just as the Holy One, blessed be He, had shown him on the mountain, so that they would not err with it. It is therefore written about each and every thing (in Exod. 39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31, cf. 42), “as the Lord commanded Moses.” And so it says (in vs. 43), “When Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it […; then Moses blessed them].” And with what blessing did he bless them? He said to them, “May the Divine Presence dwell in the work of your hands.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said, “Because Moses has devoted his life to the Tabernacle, I will only write about it in his name.” Thus it is stated (in Numb. 7:1), “So it came to pass on the day that Moses had finished.”

Another interpretation (of Numb. 7:1): SO IT CAME TO PASS ON THE DAY THAT MOSES HAD FINISHED. This text is related (to Prov. 27:18): THE ONE WHO TENDS A FIG TREE SHALL EAT ITS FRUIT. The Holy One does not deprive any creature of a reward.⁹³Tanh., Numb. 2:13; Numb. R. 12:9. It is simply that in the case of anyone who toils and devotes his life to something, the Holy One does not deprive him of his reward.⁹⁴Cf. Mekhilta deRabbi Ishmael, Shirata, 1; PR 5:2, 6. It is therefore stated (in Prov. 27:18): THE ONE WHO TENDS A FIG TREE SHALL EAT ITS FRUIT. Do you want to understand? Solomon built the Temple, as stated (in I Kings 6:14): SO SOLOMON FINISHED BUILDING THE HOUSE; but because David had devoted his life to the Temple which would be built, as stated (in Ps. 132:1–5: LORD REMEMBER DAVID AND ALL HIS HARDSHIPS, HOW HE SWORE TO THE LORD, VOWED TO THE MIGHTY ONE OF JACOB: SURELY I WILL NOT COME INTO THE SHELTER OF MY HOUSE, NOR WILL I GO UP UPON THE BED THAT IS SPREAD FOR ME, [… ] UNTIL I FIND A PLACE FOR THE LORD, the Holy One did not deprive him of his reward. Rather he had it written in his name, as stated (in Ps. 30:1 [introduction]): A PSALM. A SONG OF THE DEDICATION OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. [It does not say, "of Solomon," but, OF DAVID.] Solomon said it well (in Prov. 27:18): THE ONE WHO TENDS A FIG TREE SHALL EAT ITS FRUIT. So also you find in the case of the Tabernacle, when everyone devoted their lives <to it> and made the Tabernacle. All Israel volunteered. The women spun the goat's hair; and similarly (in Exod. 36:8): THEN ALL THE WISE-HEARTED ONES <AMONG THE WORKERS MADE THE TABERNACLE>. And likewise (according to Exod. 36:1): THEN LET BEZALEL AND OHOLIAB <AND ALL THE WISE-HEARTED ONES … > DO <ALL THAT THE LORD HAS COMMANDED>. < However, they only did so> because Moses devoted his life to <the Tabernacle>, so that it would be made just as the Holy One has shown him on the Mountain, as stated (in Exod. 25:40): OBSERVE AND MAKE THEM {LIKE} [BY MEANS OF] THEIR PATTERN…. Thus Moses went and devoted his life, so that they would not go astray. It is therefore written (in Exod. 39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31, cf. 42): AS THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES. And so it says (in vs. 43): WHEN MOSES SAW ALL THE WORK, <AND BEHOLD, THEY HAD DONE IT> …; THEN MOSES BLESSED THEM. And with what blessing did he bless them? He said to them: May the Divine Presence dwell in the work of your hands. The Holy One said: Because Moses has devoted his life to the Tabernacle, I will only write about it in his name. Thus it is stated (in Numb. 7:1): SO IT CAME TO PASS ON THE DAY THAT MOSES HAD FINISHED.⁹⁵In other words, although others had worked on the Tabernacle, it says only of Moses that he finished it. Cf. William Braude, Pesikta Rabbati (“Yale Judaica Series,” 18; New Haven: Yale, 1968), vol. 1, p. 91, n. 1 & 95, n. 19, who suggests that KLWT (HAD FINISHED) may be taken in the sense of THE END OF ONE’S STRENGTH and that the midrash understands the verse as follows: “AND IT CAME TO PASS ON THE DAY THAT MOSES’ STRENGTH HAD ALL BUT GIVEN OUT BECAUSE OF THE SETTINGS UP OF THE TABERNACLE.”

The Holy One, Blessed Be He, said to him, “He who keeps the fig tree shall eat its fruit” (Prov. 27:18). Your sons sat idly by and did not study the Torah. Joshua served you faithfully and showed you great honour. It was he who rose early in the morning and remained late at night at your House of Assembly. He used to arrange the benches and spread the mats. Seeing that he has served you with all his might, he is worthy to serve Israel, for he shall not lose his reward.

15 (Numb. 27:16) “[…] Let the Lord, the God of the spirits [of all flesh], appoint”: Anyone who comes to seek the needs of the community is as if he comes forcefully. (Numb. 27:16) “Let the Lord appoint”: What reason did [Moses] have to request this need after the ordering of inheritance? It is simply that since he saw the daughters of Zelophehad inherit the properties of their father, Moses said, “See it is the time for me to claim my needs. If daughters inherit, it is [also] proper for my sons to inherit my glory.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him (in Prov. 27:18), “’He who tends a fig tree will enjoy its fruit.’ Your sons sat [with] their own [concerns] and were not involved with Torah [study]. [Whereas] Joshua served you much and showed you much honor. And he got up early to your house of meeting and left late. He arranged the benches and spread out the mats. Since he served you with all of his ability, he is worthy to serve Israel, so as not to lose his compensation.” (Numb. 27:18) “Take Joshua bin Nun,” in order to fulfill what is stated (in Prov. 27:18), “He who tends a fig tree will enjoy its fruit.”

16 Another interpretation of (Numb. 27:16) “Let the Lord, appoint”: A parable: A king saw an orphan woman [and] sought to take her for him as a wife. He sent to seek her. She said, “I am not worthy to marry the king.” He sent to seek her seven times, but she did not allow it. In the end she married him. After a time, the king was angry with her and sought to divorce her. She said, “I did not seek to be married to you; you sought me. Since this is so and you have decreed to divorce me and to take another, do not do to that one like what you did to me.” So is it with the Holy One, blessed be He: R. Samuel the son of Nahmani said, “The Holy One, blessed be He, tried for seven days to persuade Moses from the midst of the burning bush, but Moses replied, (in Exod. 4:13), ‘Send please, whomever you will send’; (ibid. 4:10) ‘I am not a man of words, neither yesterday nor the day before.’ This indicates seven days. After time, the Holy One, blessed be He persuaded him; and he went as His agent; and He did all of those miracles through him. In the end, He said to him (in Numb. 20:12), ‘You shall not bring.’ Moses said, ‘Master of the world, (as in Deut. 3:24), “You who let Your servant see the first works of Your greatness, etc.” Since this is so [and] You have decreed against me, do not do like what You did to me to the one that will go in. Rather (as in Numb. 27:17), ‘Who shall go out before them and come in before them.’” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, (in Numb. 27:18) “Take Joshua bin Nun.” And Moses did [it] with a generous eye, as stated (Prov. 22:9), “The generous man is blessed.” A parable: A king said to one of his household, “Give so and so a seah of wheat.” He went and agave him two seah. He said to him, “One seah is from the king and one seah is from me.” So did the Holy One, blessed be He say to Moses (in Numb. 27:18), “And lay your hand upon him” – one hand. What did he do? (In Numb 27:23) “He laid his hands upon him and commissioned him,” to fulfill that which is stated (Prov. 22:9), “The generous man is blessed.” Therefore (as in Prov. 27:18), “He who tends a fig tree will enjoy its fruit.” And why is the Torah compared to a fig tree? Since [the fruit of] most trees – the olive tree, the grapevine, the date palm – is gathered [all] at once, but the fig tree is gathered a little [at a time]. And so too is the Torah. Today he studies a little and tomorrow he studies much; as it is not taught in a year, nor in two. (Numb. 27:18) “A man with the spirit of God with him”: Since you said (in Numb. 27:16), “’The God of the spirits of all flesh,’ since You know each and every one, one should be appointed who knows how to proceed with each and every one of them according to his temperament”; [so then (in Numb. 27:18, cont.),] “and lay your hand upon him,” like one who lights a candle from a candle. (Numb 27:20) “Invest him with your majesty,” like one who pours from one vessel to another vessel. Concerning that which I said to you (in Numb. 36:9), “So the inheritance will not move around from one tribe to another,” this glory will not move from the house of your father, as even Joshua who will arise in your place (according to Numb. 27:19), “shall stand in front of Elazar the priest” (nephew of Moses).

(Bamidbar 27:18) "And the L-rd said to Moses: Take for yourself Joshua the son of Nun": ("for yourself") what is in your heart. Take for yourself him (Joshua), who you know to be worthy (of this high station), as per (Mishlei 27:18) "the watcher of the fig-tree will eat its fruit, and the keeper (Joshua) of his master (Moses) will be honored." (Bamidbar, Ibid.) "a man who has spirit in him": one who can accommodate himself to the spirit of each individual. "and place your hand upon him": He said to him: Give Joshua an interpreter to ask and to expound and to issue rulings in your lifetime, so that when you die Israel not say: In his master's lifetime he did not rule, and now he rules! — whereupon he raised him from the ground (the place of disciples) and sat him next to him on the (judge's) bench. R. Nathan says: When Joshua entered, he (Moses) would silence the interpreter until he had come in and sat in his place.