גְּעַ֨ר חַיַּ֪ת קָנֶ֡ה עֲדַ֤ת אַבִּירִ֨ים ׀ בְּעֶגְלֵ֬י עַמִּ֗ים מִתְרַפֵּ֥ס בְּרַצֵּי־כָ֑סֶף בִּזַּ֥ר עַ֝מִּ֗ים קְרָב֥וֹת יֶחְפָּֽצוּ׃
Sawayin Mo ang mabangis na hayop na naninirahan sa gitna ng mga tambo, ang pangkat ng malalakas na toro sa gitna ng mga guya ng mga bansa, na hindi napapayapa malibang bayaran sila ng mga piraso ng pilak; ikinalat nila ang mga lipi, at mga digmaan ang kanilang hinahangad.
Vayikra Rabbah
“The elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the Lord and one shall slaughter the bull before the Lord” (Leviticus 4:15).
“The elders of the congregation shall lay their hands.” Rabbi Yitzḥak said: The nations of the world have no supporters, as it is stated: “The supporters of Egypt will fall” (Ezekiel 30:6). Israel has supporters [somekhin], as it is stated: “The elders of the congregation shall lay [vesamekhu] [their hands].”23The phrase is understood to mean the elders of the congregation shall serve as support for the congregation. The nations of the world are called “congregation,” as it is stated: “For the congregation of the hypocrite will be desolate” (Job 15:34). Israel is called congregation, as it is stated: “The elders of the congregation shall lay [their hands].” The nations of the world are called abirim, as it is stated: “The herd of cavalry horses [abirim] going among the calves of the people” (Psalms 68:31). Israel is called abirim, “Hear Me, hard-hearted ones [abirei lev]” (Isaiah 46:12). The nations of the world are called adirim, “it and the daughters of mighty [adirim] nations” (Ezekiel 32:18). Israel is called adirim, “and the majestic ones [ve’adirei], all my wishes are with them” (Psalms 16:3). The nations of the world are called wise, “I will eliminate the wise from Edom” (Obadiah 1:8). Israel is called wise, “The wise store knowledge” (Proverbs 10:14). The nations of the world are called blameless, “and the blameless, like those descending into the pit” (Proverbs 1:12). Israel is called blameless, “and the blameless will inherit goodness” (Proverbs 28:10). The nations of the world are called righteous, “Righteous men, they will judge them” (Ezekiel 23:45). Israel is called righteous, “Your people are all righteous” (Isaiah 60:21). The nations of the world are called men, “men who are evildoers” (Psalms 141:4). Israel is called men, “men, I call to you” (Proverbs 8:4). The nations of the world are called mighty, “why do you boast of evil, mighty one” (Psalms 52:3). Israel is called mighty, “mighty in strength, performers of His bidding” (Psalms 103:20).
“The elders of the congregation shall lay their hands.” Rabbi Yitzḥak said: The nations of the world have no supporters, as it is stated: “The supporters of Egypt will fall” (Ezekiel 30:6). Israel has supporters [somekhin], as it is stated: “The elders of the congregation shall lay [vesamekhu] [their hands].”23The phrase is understood to mean the elders of the congregation shall serve as support for the congregation. The nations of the world are called “congregation,” as it is stated: “For the congregation of the hypocrite will be desolate” (Job 15:34). Israel is called congregation, as it is stated: “The elders of the congregation shall lay [their hands].” The nations of the world are called abirim, as it is stated: “The herd of cavalry horses [abirim] going among the calves of the people” (Psalms 68:31). Israel is called abirim, “Hear Me, hard-hearted ones [abirei lev]” (Isaiah 46:12). The nations of the world are called adirim, “it and the daughters of mighty [adirim] nations” (Ezekiel 32:18). Israel is called adirim, “and the majestic ones [ve’adirei], all my wishes are with them” (Psalms 16:3). The nations of the world are called wise, “I will eliminate the wise from Edom” (Obadiah 1:8). Israel is called wise, “The wise store knowledge” (Proverbs 10:14). The nations of the world are called blameless, “and the blameless, like those descending into the pit” (Proverbs 1:12). Israel is called blameless, “and the blameless will inherit goodness” (Proverbs 28:10). The nations of the world are called righteous, “Righteous men, they will judge them” (Ezekiel 23:45). Israel is called righteous, “Your people are all righteous” (Isaiah 60:21). The nations of the world are called men, “men who are evildoers” (Psalms 141:4). Israel is called men, “men, I call to you” (Proverbs 8:4). The nations of the world are called mighty, “why do you boast of evil, mighty one” (Psalms 52:3). Israel is called mighty, “mighty in strength, performers of His bidding” (Psalms 103:20).
Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition)
R. Cahana said: "When R. Ishmael, the son of R. Jose, became ill, Rabbi sent to him the following request: 'Tell us the two or three things which you spoke of in the name of your father. Whereupon R. Ishmael sent back word to him: 'Thus said my father: What is the meaning of the passage (Ps. 117, 1) Praise the Lord, all ye nations. How do heathens come to praise God? This is intended to mean: All the nations shall praise him for the power and the miracles He has done to them; how much more should we, Israel, praise Him, Since mighty is His kindness unto us.' R. Ishmael sent also the following to him: 'In the future, Egypt will send presents unto Messiah, who will hesitate whether to accept them or not.' But the Holy One, praised be He! will say to Messiah, 'Accept it from them because Egypt was a place of hospitality for my children.' (Ps. 68, 32) Soon nobles will come out of Egypt. Then Ethiopia will conclude a fortiori, saying: 'If they (the Egyptians) who treated them as slaves, fare thus, I (Ethiopia) who did not enslave them, will surely [be permitted to offer a gift to Messiah].' Whereupon the Holy One, praised be He! will say unto Messiah, 'Accept also of them,' and soon (Ib.) Ethiopia will eagerly stretch forth his hands unto God. Then the Aramites will conclude a fortiori, saying: 'If [acceptance of gifts was permitted] of these (Ethiopians) who had no family relations with Israel, how much more should a gift be acceptable of us, who are their brothers!' Whereupon the Holy One, praised be He! will say unto Gabriel (Ib.) Rebuke the wild beasts hiding among the reeds; i.e., rebuke the heathens and create a community for thyself." The above passage can be explained in another way, [reject with] rebuke the wild beast that lives among the reeds, as it is written (Ib. 80, 14) The bear out of the forest doth gnaw at it, and what moveth on the field feedeth on it. R. Chiya b. Abba said in the name of R. Jochanan: "The above passage means as follows, [reject with] "rebuke the beast (Rome), whose acts are recorded with the same pen [of tyranny]. (Ib. 68, 31) The multitude of bulls, with the calves of the peoples, refers to [the nations] who have slain the best [of Israel] like fat bulls; everyone submitted himself with pieces of silver; i.e., they stretch forth their hands to accept the silver [as bribes], and then refuse to do the givers' desire; He scattereth nations that are eager to become near; i.e., Why was Israel scattered among the nations? Because of his eagerness to become [near] very friendly with the nations." He also sent Rabbi the following: "There is a big city in the Roman Empire which contains three hundred and sixty-five streets, and in each street there are three hundred and sixty-five castles, and around each castle there are three hundred and sixty-five steps, and on each step there was sufficient wealth to feed the entire world." Whereupon R. Simon, the son of Rabbi, said to him, and according to others, it was R. Ishmael, the son of R. Jose, who said to Rabbi: "To whom will all this belong?" "To thee and thy associates and to thy associates' friends," was the answer, as it is said (Is. 23, 18) And her gain and her hire shall be holy to the Lord; it shall not be treasured nor laid up, but for those that dwell before the Lord shall her gain be." What is the meaning of It shall not be treasured nor laid up? R. Joseph explained that It shall not be treasured, refers to his store-house [for grain]; Nor laid up, refers to the treasury house [for gold]." But for those that dwell before the Lord shall her gain be, to eat to fullness, and to wear stately clothing. What is the meaning of But for those that dwell before the Lord? R. Elazar said: "This refers to one who recognizes his colleague's place in the house of study [because of the former's frequenting it]. According to others (Fol. 119), it refers to one who greets his colleague in the house of study. What is meant by Stately clothing? This refers to one who covers (conceals) things which those of ancient days desired to be unrevealed; this is Sisrei Torah. According to others, this refers to one who discovers what was concealed by those of ancient days, and what is it? The reasons [of various laws] of the Torah.
Shemot Rabbah
Another matter, “You shall craft the boards.” What is written above? “This is the gift that you shall collect from them: Gold and silver and bronze” (Exodus 25:3). Gold, this is Babylon, as it is stated: “That image, its head was of fine gold” (Daniel 2:32).12The context of this verse is Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, in which Nebuchadnezzar saw an image made of different metals. Daniel interpreted it as representing his kingdom and those that would rise afterward (see Daniel 2:38–40). The head of gold represented Babylon (see Daniel 2:38). Silver, this is Media, as it is stated: “Its breast and its arms of silver (Daniel 2:32). Bronze, this is Greece, as it is stated: “Its belly and its thighs of bronze” (Daniel 2:32). But iron is not written here, neither in the Temple nor in the Tabernacle. Why? It is because Edom, which destroyed the Temple, was analogized to it.13“The fourth kingdom will be strong as iron” (Daniel 2:40). This is to teach you that, in the future, the Holy One blessed be He will receive tributes from all the kingdoms other than Edom. But did Babylon not also destroy it?14Babylonians destroyed the first Temple, while the Romans, identified as descendants of Edom, destroyed the second Temple. It is because it did not raze it. But what is written with regard to Edom? “Who said: Raze it, raze it, to its very foundation” (Psalms 137:7). To this day the foundation remains in it. That is why iron, to which Edom is analogized, is not written regarding the Tabernacle and the Temple.
Likewise, you find in the future that all the nations are destined to bring a tribute to the messianic king. Egypt brings first, and he will think he should not accept it from them. The Holy One blessed be He will say to him: ‘They were hosts to My children in Egypt.’ As it is stated: “Noblemen will arrive from Egypt; Kush will hasten to extend its hands to God” (Psalms 68:32). Immediately, he will accept it from them. Kush will draw an a fortiori inference: If he accepted [a gift] from Egypt, which enslaved them, all the more so [will he will accept it from] us, who did not enslave them. Immediately, “Kush will hasten to extend its hands to God.” Immediately, all the nations will hear and bring [gifts], as it is stated: “Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God” (Psalms 68:33). Then, the kingdom of Edom will draw an a fortiori inference for itself and say: If these, who are not their brethren, he accepted [gifts] from them, we, all the more so. It, too, will seek to bring a tribute to the messianic king. The Holy One blessed be He will say to him: “Castigate the beast of the reed” (Psalms 68:31).15Rome, which is identified as descending from Edom, is referred to here as a reed, based on the following statement of the Gemara: “Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: When Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter, Gavriel descended and implanted a reed into the sea, and a sandbar grew around it, and upon it the great city of Rome was built” (Shabbat 56b).
Another matter, castigate the beast that resides among the reeds, as it is stated: “The boar from the forest gnaws at it” (Psalms 80:14). “The herd of cavalry horses among the calves of the people” (Psalms 68:31); the one that consumes the wealth of the peoples and comes with the authority of Abraham and says: ‘I am one of them, Esau, son of Isaac, son of Abraham.’16Rome is identified as descending from Edom, which descends from Esau. “Who grovel for pieces of silver” (Psalms 68:31); even if a person sins against it,17The kingdom of Edom. and it becomes angry at him, it extends its palm, takes the money, and is reconciled.
And what is: “He scatters the peoples who desire battle”? (Psalms 68:31). It is that [Edom] scatters Israel from Torah study and assembles them for what the evil inclination desires. Alternatively, “he scatters the peoples who desire battle,” as they scattered Israel from the world. Alternatively, “he scatters the peoples” – they estranged Israel from Me, and they are bringing offerings?18When they attempt to bring offerings to the messianic king, God will instruct him to reject them because of what they did.
Likewise, you find in the future that all the nations are destined to bring a tribute to the messianic king. Egypt brings first, and he will think he should not accept it from them. The Holy One blessed be He will say to him: ‘They were hosts to My children in Egypt.’ As it is stated: “Noblemen will arrive from Egypt; Kush will hasten to extend its hands to God” (Psalms 68:32). Immediately, he will accept it from them. Kush will draw an a fortiori inference: If he accepted [a gift] from Egypt, which enslaved them, all the more so [will he will accept it from] us, who did not enslave them. Immediately, “Kush will hasten to extend its hands to God.” Immediately, all the nations will hear and bring [gifts], as it is stated: “Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God” (Psalms 68:33). Then, the kingdom of Edom will draw an a fortiori inference for itself and say: If these, who are not their brethren, he accepted [gifts] from them, we, all the more so. It, too, will seek to bring a tribute to the messianic king. The Holy One blessed be He will say to him: “Castigate the beast of the reed” (Psalms 68:31).15Rome, which is identified as descending from Edom, is referred to here as a reed, based on the following statement of the Gemara: “Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: When Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter, Gavriel descended and implanted a reed into the sea, and a sandbar grew around it, and upon it the great city of Rome was built” (Shabbat 56b).
Another matter, castigate the beast that resides among the reeds, as it is stated: “The boar from the forest gnaws at it” (Psalms 80:14). “The herd of cavalry horses among the calves of the people” (Psalms 68:31); the one that consumes the wealth of the peoples and comes with the authority of Abraham and says: ‘I am one of them, Esau, son of Isaac, son of Abraham.’16Rome is identified as descending from Edom, which descends from Esau. “Who grovel for pieces of silver” (Psalms 68:31); even if a person sins against it,17The kingdom of Edom. and it becomes angry at him, it extends its palm, takes the money, and is reconciled.
And what is: “He scatters the peoples who desire battle”? (Psalms 68:31). It is that [Edom] scatters Israel from Torah study and assembles them for what the evil inclination desires. Alternatively, “he scatters the peoples who desire battle,” as they scattered Israel from the world. Alternatively, “he scatters the peoples” – they estranged Israel from Me, and they are bringing offerings?18When they attempt to bring offerings to the messianic king, God will instruct him to reject them because of what they did.