וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃
여호와께서 모세에게 일러 가라사대
Midrash Tanchuma Buber
[(Numb. 27:16:) LET THE LORD, THE GOD OF THE SPIRITS <OF ALL FLESH>, APPOINT <SOMEONE OVER THE CONGREGATION>.] 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?11Although 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?12Tanh., 8:11; Numb. R. 21:2, 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 placate13Rt. 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. The king said to him: Instead of you charging me concerning my wife, charge my wife concerning me, that she be careful about my honor. So did the Holy One, as it were, say to Moses: Instead of you charging me (in Numb. 27:16): LET THE GOD OF THE SPIRITS OF ALL FLESH <APPOINT SOMEONE OVER THE CONGREGATION>, charge them concerning me, that they be diligent about my honor. What is written below (in Numb. 28:1–2)? THEN THE LORD SPOKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING: COMMAND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND SAY UNTO THEM: MY OFFERING, MY BREAD FOR MY FIRE OFFERING….
Ruth Rabbah
“She descended to the threshing floor, and did in accordance with everything that her mother-in-law instructed her” (Ruth 3:6).
“She descended to the threshing floor.” Regarding Moav it is written: “I know his arrogance [evrato], said the Lord, that it is unfounded; his boasts [badav] [have accomplished nothing well-founded]” (Jeremiah 48:30). Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa, Rabbi Simon, and the Rabbis – Rabbi Ḥanina said: The conception [iburo] of Moav was not undertaken for the sake of Heaven, but rather for the sake of licentiousness, as it is stated: “Israel was dwelling in Shittim, [and the people began to engage in licentiousness with the daughters of Moav]” (Numbers 25:1). “Did not his descendants do so”206The midrash interprets the word badav to mean descendants. Combined with a more literal translation of the entire phrase, “his boasts have accomplished nothing well-founded” can be alternately translated “did not his descendants do so.” for the sake of licentiousness and not for the sake of Heaven? “His descendants did so” is not stated, but rather, “they did not do so,” – [they did not act] for the sake of Heaven but for the sake of licentiousness. “Israel was dwelling in Shittim, and the people began to engage in licentiousness.” The Rabbis say: The conception of Moav was undertaken for the sake of licentiousness, but ultimately it was for the sake of Heaven, as it is stated: “She descended to the threshing floor, and did [in accordance with everything that her mother-in-law instructed her].”
“She descended to the threshing floor.” Regarding Moav it is written: “I know his arrogance [evrato], said the Lord, that it is unfounded; his boasts [badav] [have accomplished nothing well-founded]” (Jeremiah 48:30). Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa, Rabbi Simon, and the Rabbis – Rabbi Ḥanina said: The conception [iburo] of Moav was not undertaken for the sake of Heaven, but rather for the sake of licentiousness, as it is stated: “Israel was dwelling in Shittim, [and the people began to engage in licentiousness with the daughters of Moav]” (Numbers 25:1). “Did not his descendants do so”206The midrash interprets the word badav to mean descendants. Combined with a more literal translation of the entire phrase, “his boasts have accomplished nothing well-founded” can be alternately translated “did not his descendants do so.” for the sake of licentiousness and not for the sake of Heaven? “His descendants did so” is not stated, but rather, “they did not do so,” – [they did not act] for the sake of Heaven but for the sake of licentiousness. “Israel was dwelling in Shittim, and the people began to engage in licentiousness.” The Rabbis say: The conception of Moav was undertaken for the sake of licentiousness, but ultimately it was for the sake of Heaven, as it is stated: “She descended to the threshing floor, and did [in accordance with everything that her mother-in-law instructed her].”
Midrash Tanchuma Buber
(Numb. 28:1–2:) THEN THE LORD SPOKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING: COMMAND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND SAY UNTO THEM: MY OFFERING, MY BREAD FOR MY FIRE OFFERING, <MY SWEET AROMA, YOU SHALL TAKE HEED TO OFFER ME IN ITS DUE SEASON>. Let our master instruct us: Regarding the meal offerings that were offered upon the altar, how were they offered?41Tanh., Numb. 8:12. Thus have our masters taught (in Men. 5:1–2):42See above, Lev. 1:7. ALL MEAL OFFERINGS WERE OFFERED UNLEAVENED EXCEPT THE LEAVENED <CAKES> IN THE THANK OFFERING AND THE TWO LOAVES (of Pentecost) WHICH WERE OFFERED LEAVENED. R. MEIR SAYS: THE LEAVEN IS SEPARATED FROM THEIR OWN <DOUGH>, AND <IT IS FROM THIS THAT> THEY ARE LEAVENED. R. JUDAH SAYS: EVEN THAT IS NOT THE BEST <METHOD>; ONE SHOULD BRING THE LEAVEN, PUT IT INTO THE MEASURE, AND FILL THE MEASURE <WITH THE FLOUR>. <THE SAGES> SAID TO HIM: EVEN THAT <METHOD> RESULTED TOO LITTLE OR TOO MUCH. ALL MEAL OFFERINGS WERE KNEADED IN LUKEWARM WATER AND ONE WATCHED THEM LEST THEY BECOME LEAVENED; AND IF THE REST OF IT BECAME LEAVENED, ONE TRANSGRESSED A NEGATIVE COMMANDMENT, AS STATED (in Lev. 2:11): NO MEAL OFFERING WHICH YOU OFFER TO THE LORD SHALL BE MADE WITH LEAVEN. THUS ONE MAY BECOME CULPABLE IN THE KNEADING OF <LEAVEN>, IN ROLLING IT, AND IN BAKING IT. Of all the offerings none is more pleasing to you than the thank offering. The Holy One said to Moses: Say to those Israelites: I did not tell you to offer me sacrifices because I have need of them, since the whole world is mine.43Numb. R. 21:16; see Men. 110a; PRK 6:1; PR 16:1; 48:3; Tanh., Exod. 8:14. Thus it is stated (in Ps. 50:12): IF I AM HUNGRY, I WOULD NOT TELL YOU, FOR THE WORLD AND EVERYTHING IN IT BELONG TO ME.