צַ֭דִּיק כַּתָּמָ֣ר יִפְרָ֑ח כְּאֶ֖רֶז בַּלְּבָנ֣וֹן יִשְׂגֶּֽה׃
Ang matuwid ay mamumunga na gaya ng puno ng palma; siya ay lalago na gaya ng sedro sa Lebanon.
Bamidbar Rabbah
“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Bring the tribe of Levi near and stand it before Aaron the priest, and they shall serve him” (Numbers 3:5–6).
“Bring the tribe of Levi near” – that is what is written: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree; [like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall]. Planted in the House of the Lord, [they will blossom in the courtyards of our God]” (Psalms 92:13–14). “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree” – just as this palm tree, its shade is far removed,1From the trunk of the tree. so, the righteous, the granting of their reward is far removed from them, until the World to Come. Just as this palm tree produces juicy, nikolaos, and unripe dates, and produces thorns, so are Israel: there are Torah personalities among them, there are plain citizens among them, and there are ignoramuses among them. Just as on this palm tree there are unripe dates that do not enter the storehouse and it produces dates and they enter the storehouse, so, Israel, when they were in the wilderness, some of them entered the Land of Israel and some of them did not enter. Just as this palm tree produces dates and produces thorns, and anyone who seeks to steal dates, the thorns that are on it grip him, so are the righteous: anyone who does not protect himself from them, their bite is the bite of a snake, their sting is the sting of a scorpion, their hiss is the hiss of a serpent. And all their statements are like fiery coals.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has no waste, but rather, dates for eating, soft branches for extolment,2On Sukkot. hard branches for roofing,3The sukka. bast for ropes, leaves for a sieve, planks to roof the house, so are Israel: they have no waste, but rather, some of them are masters of Bible, some of them are masters of Mishna, some of them are masters of aggada, some are performers of mitzvot, some are givers of charity, and so on.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree, its heart is directed upward,4The soft material at the heart of the trunk goes straight up and does not bend. so, Israel, their heart is directed to their Father in Heaven, as it is stated: “My eyes are always toward the Lord, for He takes my feet from the net” (Psalms 25:15).
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has desire,5The fruit buds on the female trees are pollinated from the pollen in the flowers of the male trees. so, the righteous have desire. What is their desire? It is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “With my soul, I desired You at night; while my spirit is within me, I will seek You. For when Your judgments are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: There was an incident involving a certain palm tree that was standing in Ḥamtan but did not produce fruit. They pollinated it, but it did not produce fruit. The palm cultivator said to them: It sees a male palm from Jericho, and it desires it in its heart. They brought from it, and pollinated it, and it immediately began to produce fruit. So, the entire desire and the hope of the righteous is the Holy One blessed be He.
Just as this palm tree does not produce fewer than three branches, so, Israel is never lacking three righteous ones in the world, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya. Likewise it says: “I said: I will ascend the date palm, I will grasp its branches; and please may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the fragrance of your nose like apples” (Song of Songs 7:9).6In Shir HaShirim Rabba 7:9 this verse is explained as referring to Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya.
Just as this palm tree has soft branches for extolment, hard branches for a sukka, even its bast is used for strengthening,7Making ropes and its wood for kindling, so [there are] in Israel the righteous, the upright, the pious, Torah personalities, and even their wayward are performers of acts of kindness.
If so, just as this palm tree, one does not craft utensils from it, is the same true of the righteous?8They provide no benefit for people. The verse states: “[The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree;] like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall” (Psalms 92:13).9Utensils are crafted from cedars. Rabbi Tanḥuma said: I asked it of Rav Huna and he said: We were in Babylon, and we would craft utensils, tables, and candelabra from it. If so, just as this cedar does not produce fruit, so the righteous do not produce fruit? The verse states: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree.” Just as the palm tree produces fruit, so the righteous produce fruit, as it is stated: “Say of the righteous that it is good, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isaiah 3:10).
Just as the palm and the cedar, anyone who climbs to their treetop and does not protect himself, he falls and dies, so, anyone who comes and confronts Israel, ultimately, he will receive his just deserts at their hand. Know that it is so, as Sarah, because she was taken by Pharaoh one night, he and his household were struck with afflictions, as it is stated: “The Lord afflicted Pharaoh…” (Genesis 12:17).
Just as the palm and the cedar are greater than all the trees, so, Israel is greater than all the nations, as it is stated: “For Mordekhai was great [in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces] (Esther 9:4); “David became steadily greater” (II Samuel 5:10).
Just as this palm, if it is uprooted, it has no replacement, so are the righteous: they have no replacements when they die, as it is stated: “But wisdom, where will it be found, and where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12).
Another matter: “The righteous man [will blossom] like a palm tree” (Psalms 92:13) is speaking of the tribe of Levi, as they were righteous and they caused good deeds to blossom when Israel crafted the calf, as it is stated: “All the sons of Levi gathered to him” (Exodus 32:26). Therefore, the Holy One blessed be He exalted them in Israel, like this cedar, which is taller and greater in Lebanon than the rest of the trees. So, they are greater than all of Israel, as from all the tribes He selected only the tribe of Levi alone, to serve Him. That is what is written: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14). Rabbi Ḥanan ben Pazi said: While they are still saplings they are in the House of the Lord; these are the children while they are in school.
Another matter: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14) – they would never move from the Temple. “They will blossom in the courtyards of our God” (Psalms 92:14) – these are the services.10The service done by the tribe of Levi in the Temple. Know that it is so, as it is stated: “Bring the tribe of Levi near.… They shall keep his commission” (Numbers 3:6–7).
“Bring the tribe of Levi near” – that is what is written: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree; [like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall]. Planted in the House of the Lord, [they will blossom in the courtyards of our God]” (Psalms 92:13–14). “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree” – just as this palm tree, its shade is far removed,1From the trunk of the tree. so, the righteous, the granting of their reward is far removed from them, until the World to Come. Just as this palm tree produces juicy, nikolaos, and unripe dates, and produces thorns, so are Israel: there are Torah personalities among them, there are plain citizens among them, and there are ignoramuses among them. Just as on this palm tree there are unripe dates that do not enter the storehouse and it produces dates and they enter the storehouse, so, Israel, when they were in the wilderness, some of them entered the Land of Israel and some of them did not enter. Just as this palm tree produces dates and produces thorns, and anyone who seeks to steal dates, the thorns that are on it grip him, so are the righteous: anyone who does not protect himself from them, their bite is the bite of a snake, their sting is the sting of a scorpion, their hiss is the hiss of a serpent. And all their statements are like fiery coals.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has no waste, but rather, dates for eating, soft branches for extolment,2On Sukkot. hard branches for roofing,3The sukka. bast for ropes, leaves for a sieve, planks to roof the house, so are Israel: they have no waste, but rather, some of them are masters of Bible, some of them are masters of Mishna, some of them are masters of aggada, some are performers of mitzvot, some are givers of charity, and so on.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree, its heart is directed upward,4The soft material at the heart of the trunk goes straight up and does not bend. so, Israel, their heart is directed to their Father in Heaven, as it is stated: “My eyes are always toward the Lord, for He takes my feet from the net” (Psalms 25:15).
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has desire,5The fruit buds on the female trees are pollinated from the pollen in the flowers of the male trees. so, the righteous have desire. What is their desire? It is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “With my soul, I desired You at night; while my spirit is within me, I will seek You. For when Your judgments are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: There was an incident involving a certain palm tree that was standing in Ḥamtan but did not produce fruit. They pollinated it, but it did not produce fruit. The palm cultivator said to them: It sees a male palm from Jericho, and it desires it in its heart. They brought from it, and pollinated it, and it immediately began to produce fruit. So, the entire desire and the hope of the righteous is the Holy One blessed be He.
Just as this palm tree does not produce fewer than three branches, so, Israel is never lacking three righteous ones in the world, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya. Likewise it says: “I said: I will ascend the date palm, I will grasp its branches; and please may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the fragrance of your nose like apples” (Song of Songs 7:9).6In Shir HaShirim Rabba 7:9 this verse is explained as referring to Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya.
Just as this palm tree has soft branches for extolment, hard branches for a sukka, even its bast is used for strengthening,7Making ropes and its wood for kindling, so [there are] in Israel the righteous, the upright, the pious, Torah personalities, and even their wayward are performers of acts of kindness.
If so, just as this palm tree, one does not craft utensils from it, is the same true of the righteous?8They provide no benefit for people. The verse states: “[The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree;] like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall” (Psalms 92:13).9Utensils are crafted from cedars. Rabbi Tanḥuma said: I asked it of Rav Huna and he said: We were in Babylon, and we would craft utensils, tables, and candelabra from it. If so, just as this cedar does not produce fruit, so the righteous do not produce fruit? The verse states: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree.” Just as the palm tree produces fruit, so the righteous produce fruit, as it is stated: “Say of the righteous that it is good, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isaiah 3:10).
Just as the palm and the cedar, anyone who climbs to their treetop and does not protect himself, he falls and dies, so, anyone who comes and confronts Israel, ultimately, he will receive his just deserts at their hand. Know that it is so, as Sarah, because she was taken by Pharaoh one night, he and his household were struck with afflictions, as it is stated: “The Lord afflicted Pharaoh…” (Genesis 12:17).
Just as the palm and the cedar are greater than all the trees, so, Israel is greater than all the nations, as it is stated: “For Mordekhai was great [in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces] (Esther 9:4); “David became steadily greater” (II Samuel 5:10).
Just as this palm, if it is uprooted, it has no replacement, so are the righteous: they have no replacements when they die, as it is stated: “But wisdom, where will it be found, and where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12).
Another matter: “The righteous man [will blossom] like a palm tree” (Psalms 92:13) is speaking of the tribe of Levi, as they were righteous and they caused good deeds to blossom when Israel crafted the calf, as it is stated: “All the sons of Levi gathered to him” (Exodus 32:26). Therefore, the Holy One blessed be He exalted them in Israel, like this cedar, which is taller and greater in Lebanon than the rest of the trees. So, they are greater than all of Israel, as from all the tribes He selected only the tribe of Levi alone, to serve Him. That is what is written: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14). Rabbi Ḥanan ben Pazi said: While they are still saplings they are in the House of the Lord; these are the children while they are in school.
Another matter: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14) – they would never move from the Temple. “They will blossom in the courtyards of our God” (Psalms 92:14) – these are the services.10The service done by the tribe of Levi in the Temple. Know that it is so, as it is stated: “Bring the tribe of Levi near.… They shall keep his commission” (Numbers 3:6–7).
Bamidbar Rabbah
“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Bring the tribe of Levi near and stand it before Aaron the priest, and they shall serve him” (Numbers 3:5–6).
“Bring the tribe of Levi near” – that is what is written: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree; [like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall]. Planted in the House of the Lord, [they will blossom in the courtyards of our God]” (Psalms 92:13–14). “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree” – just as this palm tree, its shade is far removed,1From the trunk of the tree. so, the righteous, the granting of their reward is far removed from them, until the World to Come. Just as this palm tree produces juicy, nikolaos, and unripe dates, and produces thorns, so are Israel: there are Torah personalities among them, there are plain citizens among them, and there are ignoramuses among them. Just as on this palm tree there are unripe dates that do not enter the storehouse and it produces dates and they enter the storehouse, so, Israel, when they were in the wilderness, some of them entered the Land of Israel and some of them did not enter. Just as this palm tree produces dates and produces thorns, and anyone who seeks to steal dates, the thorns that are on it grip him, so are the righteous: anyone who does not protect himself from them, their bite is the bite of a snake, their sting is the sting of a scorpion, their hiss is the hiss of a serpent. And all their statements are like fiery coals.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has no waste, but rather, dates for eating, soft branches for extolment,2On Sukkot. hard branches for roofing,3The sukka. bast for ropes, leaves for a sieve, planks to roof the house, so are Israel: they have no waste, but rather, some of them are masters of Bible, some of them are masters of Mishna, some of them are masters of aggada, some are performers of mitzvot, some are givers of charity, and so on.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree, its heart is directed upward,4The soft material at the heart of the trunk goes straight up and does not bend. so, Israel, their heart is directed to their Father in Heaven, as it is stated: “My eyes are always toward the Lord, for He takes my feet from the net” (Psalms 25:15).
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has desire,5The fruit buds on the female trees are pollinated from the pollen in the flowers of the male trees. so, the righteous have desire. What is their desire? It is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “With my soul, I desired You at night; while my spirit is within me, I will seek You. For when Your judgments are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: There was an incident involving a certain palm tree that was standing in Ḥamtan but did not produce fruit. They pollinated it, but it did not produce fruit. The palm cultivator said to them: It sees a male palm from Jericho, and it desires it in its heart. They brought from it, and pollinated it, and it immediately began to produce fruit. So, the entire desire and the hope of the righteous is the Holy One blessed be He.
Just as this palm tree does not produce fewer than three branches, so, Israel is never lacking three righteous ones in the world, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya. Likewise it says: “I said: I will ascend the date palm, I will grasp its branches; and please may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the fragrance of your nose like apples” (Song of Songs 7:9).6In Shir HaShirim Rabba 7:9 this verse is explained as referring to Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya.
Just as this palm tree has soft branches for extolment, hard branches for a sukka, even its bast is used for strengthening,7Making ropes and its wood for kindling, so [there are] in Israel the righteous, the upright, the pious, Torah personalities, and even their wayward are performers of acts of kindness.
If so, just as this palm tree, one does not craft utensils from it, is the same true of the righteous?8They provide no benefit for people. The verse states: “[The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree;] like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall” (Psalms 92:13).9Utensils are crafted from cedars. Rabbi Tanḥuma said: I asked it of Rav Huna and he said: We were in Babylon, and we would craft utensils, tables, and candelabra from it. If so, just as this cedar does not produce fruit, so the righteous do not produce fruit? The verse states: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree.” Just as the palm tree produces fruit, so the righteous produce fruit, as it is stated: “Say of the righteous that it is good, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isaiah 3:10).
Just as the palm and the cedar, anyone who climbs to their treetop and does not protect himself, he falls and dies, so, anyone who comes and confronts Israel, ultimately, he will receive his just deserts at their hand. Know that it is so, as Sarah, because she was taken by Pharaoh one night, he and his household were struck with afflictions, as it is stated: “The Lord afflicted Pharaoh…” (Genesis 12:17).
Just as the palm and the cedar are greater than all the trees, so, Israel is greater than all the nations, as it is stated: “For Mordekhai was great [in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces] (Esther 9:4); “David became steadily greater” (II Samuel 5:10).
Just as this palm, if it is uprooted, it has no replacement, so are the righteous: they have no replacements when they die, as it is stated: “But wisdom, where will it be found, and where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12).
Another matter: “The righteous man [will blossom] like a palm tree” (Psalms 92:13) is speaking of the tribe of Levi, as they were righteous and they caused good deeds to blossom when Israel crafted the calf, as it is stated: “All the sons of Levi gathered to him” (Exodus 32:26). Therefore, the Holy One blessed be He exalted them in Israel, like this cedar, which is taller and greater in Lebanon than the rest of the trees. So, they are greater than all of Israel, as from all the tribes He selected only the tribe of Levi alone, to serve Him. That is what is written: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14). Rabbi Ḥanan ben Pazi said: While they are still saplings they are in the House of the Lord; these are the children while they are in school.
Another matter: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14) – they would never move from the Temple. “They will blossom in the courtyards of our God” (Psalms 92:14) – these are the services.10The service done by the tribe of Levi in the Temple. Know that it is so, as it is stated: “Bring the tribe of Levi near.… They shall keep his commission” (Numbers 3:6–7).
“Bring the tribe of Levi near” – that is what is written: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree; [like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall]. Planted in the House of the Lord, [they will blossom in the courtyards of our God]” (Psalms 92:13–14). “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree” – just as this palm tree, its shade is far removed,1From the trunk of the tree. so, the righteous, the granting of their reward is far removed from them, until the World to Come. Just as this palm tree produces juicy, nikolaos, and unripe dates, and produces thorns, so are Israel: there are Torah personalities among them, there are plain citizens among them, and there are ignoramuses among them. Just as on this palm tree there are unripe dates that do not enter the storehouse and it produces dates and they enter the storehouse, so, Israel, when they were in the wilderness, some of them entered the Land of Israel and some of them did not enter. Just as this palm tree produces dates and produces thorns, and anyone who seeks to steal dates, the thorns that are on it grip him, so are the righteous: anyone who does not protect himself from them, their bite is the bite of a snake, their sting is the sting of a scorpion, their hiss is the hiss of a serpent. And all their statements are like fiery coals.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has no waste, but rather, dates for eating, soft branches for extolment,2On Sukkot. hard branches for roofing,3The sukka. bast for ropes, leaves for a sieve, planks to roof the house, so are Israel: they have no waste, but rather, some of them are masters of Bible, some of them are masters of Mishna, some of them are masters of aggada, some are performers of mitzvot, some are givers of charity, and so on.
Another matter: Just as this palm tree, its heart is directed upward,4The soft material at the heart of the trunk goes straight up and does not bend. so, Israel, their heart is directed to their Father in Heaven, as it is stated: “My eyes are always toward the Lord, for He takes my feet from the net” (Psalms 25:15).
Another matter: Just as this palm tree has desire,5The fruit buds on the female trees are pollinated from the pollen in the flowers of the male trees. so, the righteous have desire. What is their desire? It is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “With my soul, I desired You at night; while my spirit is within me, I will seek You. For when Your judgments are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: There was an incident involving a certain palm tree that was standing in Ḥamtan but did not produce fruit. They pollinated it, but it did not produce fruit. The palm cultivator said to them: It sees a male palm from Jericho, and it desires it in its heart. They brought from it, and pollinated it, and it immediately began to produce fruit. So, the entire desire and the hope of the righteous is the Holy One blessed be He.
Just as this palm tree does not produce fewer than three branches, so, Israel is never lacking three righteous ones in the world, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya. Likewise it says: “I said: I will ascend the date palm, I will grasp its branches; and please may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the fragrance of your nose like apples” (Song of Songs 7:9).6In Shir HaShirim Rabba 7:9 this verse is explained as referring to Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya.
Just as this palm tree has soft branches for extolment, hard branches for a sukka, even its bast is used for strengthening,7Making ropes and its wood for kindling, so [there are] in Israel the righteous, the upright, the pious, Torah personalities, and even their wayward are performers of acts of kindness.
If so, just as this palm tree, one does not craft utensils from it, is the same true of the righteous?8They provide no benefit for people. The verse states: “[The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree;] like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall” (Psalms 92:13).9Utensils are crafted from cedars. Rabbi Tanḥuma said: I asked it of Rav Huna and he said: We were in Babylon, and we would craft utensils, tables, and candelabra from it. If so, just as this cedar does not produce fruit, so the righteous do not produce fruit? The verse states: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree.” Just as the palm tree produces fruit, so the righteous produce fruit, as it is stated: “Say of the righteous that it is good, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isaiah 3:10).
Just as the palm and the cedar, anyone who climbs to their treetop and does not protect himself, he falls and dies, so, anyone who comes and confronts Israel, ultimately, he will receive his just deserts at their hand. Know that it is so, as Sarah, because she was taken by Pharaoh one night, he and his household were struck with afflictions, as it is stated: “The Lord afflicted Pharaoh…” (Genesis 12:17).
Just as the palm and the cedar are greater than all the trees, so, Israel is greater than all the nations, as it is stated: “For Mordekhai was great [in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces] (Esther 9:4); “David became steadily greater” (II Samuel 5:10).
Just as this palm, if it is uprooted, it has no replacement, so are the righteous: they have no replacements when they die, as it is stated: “But wisdom, where will it be found, and where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12).
Another matter: “The righteous man [will blossom] like a palm tree” (Psalms 92:13) is speaking of the tribe of Levi, as they were righteous and they caused good deeds to blossom when Israel crafted the calf, as it is stated: “All the sons of Levi gathered to him” (Exodus 32:26). Therefore, the Holy One blessed be He exalted them in Israel, like this cedar, which is taller and greater in Lebanon than the rest of the trees. So, they are greater than all of Israel, as from all the tribes He selected only the tribe of Levi alone, to serve Him. That is what is written: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14). Rabbi Ḥanan ben Pazi said: While they are still saplings they are in the House of the Lord; these are the children while they are in school.
Another matter: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14) – they would never move from the Temple. “They will blossom in the courtyards of our God” (Psalms 92:14) – these are the services.10The service done by the tribe of Levi in the Temple. Know that it is so, as it is stated: “Bring the tribe of Levi near.… They shall keep his commission” (Numbers 3:6–7).
Midrash Tanchuma
(Lev. 9:1:) “And it came to pass on the eighth day.” This text is related (to Ps. 92:13), “The righteous one shall flourish (rt.: prh) like the palm….” This is Aaron, of whom it is stated (in Numb. 17:23), “[and there] the staff of Aaron of the House of Levi had sprouted (rt.: prh).” In the case of all the [other] trees, one plants them and they grow up by themselves (as single trees); but in the case of the palm, one plants it and it sends up sprouts on all sides. So it was in the case of Aaron. He planted and sprouts came up. These were Aaron's sons (i.e., according to I Chron. 6:35-36), “his son Eleazar, his son Phinehas, his son Abishua, [his son Bukki…].” (Ps. 92:13), “The righteous one shall flourish (rt.: prh) like the palm.” Where did he plant [them]? (Ps. 92:14), “[They are] planted in the house of the Lord.” (Lev. 8:33), “And you shall not go out from the door of the tent of meeting [for seven days].” It is therefore stated (in Lev. 9:1), “And it came to pass on the eighth day.” (Lev. 9:1), “And it came to pass on the eighth day Moses called [Aaron and his sons]….” Our masters have said: All seven days when Moses was at the thornbush, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “Go on My mission”; but he was saying (in Exod. 4:13), “Please make someone else Your agent.” So was it the first and second day. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “I say to you, ‘Go,’ and you say to Me, ‘Please make someone else Your agent?’ By your life, I am paying you back. Someday soon when that tabernacle is being made, you will be thinking privately that you should serve in the high priesthood; but I am telling you, ‘Call Aaron to serve.’” It is therefore stated (in Lev. 9:1), “Moses called Aaron and his sons.” There is a calling which is for abundance [and there is] a calling for famine. Where is it shown [that there is a calling] for abundance? Where it is stated (in Ezek. 36:29), “I will call for the grain and increase it.” And where is it shown [that there is a calling] for famine? [Where it is stated (in II Kings 8:1),] “for the Lord has called for a famine… [for seven years].” There is a calling for greatness, as stated (in Lev. 9:1), “Moses called [Aaron].” Moses said to him, “The Holy One, blessed be He, has told me to ordain you as high priest.” Aaron said to him, “You have labored on the tabernacle; so shall I be made high priest?” He said to him, “By your life, even though you are being made high priest, it is as if I were being made [high priest];11See above, Exod. 1:24. for just as you were glad for me in my greatness, so I am glad for you in your greatness.” Now when was he glad for him? When the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him (in Exod. 3:10), “So come now, I will send you unto Pharaoh.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “Go, keep this commandment.” Moses said to Him (in Exod. 4:10, 13), “Pray (bi) – Lord, You are doing me wrong. My brother is older than I; yet I am going ahead of him.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “[By your life], you have spoken rightly; nevertheless (according to Exod. 4:14), when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.” R. Simeon ben Yohay said, “The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, ‘That heart which is glad for his brother's greatness shall have those precious stones (of Exod. 28:17-21) laid upon it.’” Therefore, all those seven days that Moses was busy in the tabernacle, he was sprinkling the blood and performing the sacrificial burning of the choice pieces. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them, “What do you think? That you are high priest? Call your brother so that he may serve as high priest.” Ergo (in Lev. 9:1), “And it came to pass on the eighth day Moses called [Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel].” Why the elders of Israel? In order to promote him in the presence of the elders. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “Call the elders and ordain him in their presence, lest they say that he became high priest on his own.