בַּיּוֹם֙ הַחֲמִישִׁ֔י נָשִׂ֖יא לִבְנֵ֣י שִׁמְע֑וֹן שְׁלֻֽמִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־צוּרִֽישַׁדָּֽי׃
Sa ikalimang araw ay ang pinuno ng mga anak ni Simeon, si Selumiel na anak ni Zurisadai.
Bamidbar Rabbah
“On the fourth day, prince of the children of Reuben, Elitzur son of Shedeur” (Numbers 7:30).
“On the fourth day, prince of the children of Reuben…” – once the banner of Judah70See Numbers 2:1–9. finished, the prince of Reuben began presenting his offering, because he was the firstborn, and he presented the offering regarding his tribe of Reuben.
“His offering was one silver dish, its weight one hundred and thirty; one silver basin of seventy shekels, in the sacred shekel; both of them full of high quality flour mixed with oil as a meal offering” (Numbers 7:31).
“One gold ladle, ten shekels, full of incense” (Numbers 7:32).
“His offering was one silver dish [ke’arat]” (Numbers 7:31), do not read it as ke’arat, but rather, as akeret; this is Reuben, who played the main [ikar] role in the rescue [of Joseph]. It was he who first initiated the rescue. That is what is written: “Reuben heard and rescued him from their hand” (Genesis 37:21). Alternatively, that he uprooted [akar] the thought of his brothers, who wanted to kill him, just as it says: “Now let us go and kill him…” (Genesis 37:20). “Silver,” in the sense of: “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver” (Proverbs 10:20). ”Its weight one hundred and thirty,” this is because the first three letters of the first three words that he said to them, their numerical value totals one hundred and thirty. “Let us not smite him mortally [lo nakenu nafesh]” (Genesis 37:21); take lamed from lo, nun from nakenu, and nun from nafesh; that is one hundred and thirty.71Lamed is thirty and nun is fifty, so 30 + 50 + 50 = 130.
“One silver basin [mizrak],” (Numbers 7:31), corresponding to the counsel he gave them that they should cast [sheyizreku] him into the pit, just as it says: “Reuben said to them: Do not shed blood; cast him into [this] pit…” (Genesis 37:22). “Silver,” in the sense of: “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver” (Proverbs 10:20). “Of seventy shekels, in the sacred shekel” (Numbers 7:31), corresponding to the secret [sod] that was in his heart to save him [Joseph]. The numerical value of sod is seventy.72Samekh is sixty, vav is 6 and dalet is 4 = 70. “Both of them full of high quality flour…” (Numbers 7:31), as what he said to them: “Let us not smite him mortally” and “cast him,” he intended only to rescue him, as in both matters,73His statement not to kill Joseph, and his proposal to throw Joseph into the pit. rescue is written: Initially, it is written: “Reuben heard and rescued him from their hand” (Genesis 37:21), and ultimately, it is written: “In order to rescue him from their hand” (Genesis 37:22). “One gold ladle [kaf], ten shekels…” (Numbers 7:32), kaf,74Kaf also means palm or hand. corresponding to what he said to his brothers: “Do not lay a hand on him” (Genesis 37:22). “Gold…ten shekels,” because he saved himself by admonishing them, and he saved nine brothers from bloodshed. That is why “gold” is written, as there is one type of gold that resembles blood, and that is parvayim gold. “Full of incense” (Numbers 7:32), although it happened to the tribes that Joseph’s sale befell them, you presume that this act would not have befallen them unless they had been wicked in performing other acts. No, but rather they were full-fledged righteous men, and no sin had ever befallen them other than this one: That is what is written: “They said one to another: But we are guilty [regarding our brother]” (Genesis 42:21). They were engaged in self-reflection as to why their detention in Egypt befell them, but found only this. From their disgrace, the verse relates their praise, that they had only this iniquity alone attributable to them. And because Joseph’s sale was fortuitous for him, as it led him to rule, and it was fortuitous for his brothers and his father’s entire household, as he provided them with food during the famine years, that is why he was sold by them, because merit is engendered by means of the meritorious. That is “full of incense.”
Another matter, “full of incense,” as, at that time, Reuben was a penitent, donning sackcloth, fasting, and praying before the Holy One blessed be He, that He grant him atonement for the iniquity of the act with Bilha.75See Genesis 35:22. Prayer is likened to incense, just as it says: “Let my prayer stand as incense before You…” (Psalms 141:2). That is, “full of incense.”
“One young bull, one ram, one lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering” (Numbers 7:33).
“One goat as a sin offering” (Numbers 7:34).
“And for the peace offering, two cattle, five rams, five goats, five sheep in their first year. This was the offering of Elitzur son of Shedeur” (Numbers 7:35).
“One young bull…” (Numbers 7:33), these are the offerings that he sacrificed, corresponding to the penitence in which he was engaged when Joseph was sold. Penitence is likened to all the offerings of a sinner, as it is written: “Offerings to God are a broken spirit” (Psalms 51:19). Just as the sinner brings a burnt offering and a sin offering for his sin, that is why he brought here a burnt offering and a sin offering, corresponding to them. And because the burnt offering is more cherished76By the Holy One blessed be He. than the sin offering, that is why he sacrificed a burnt offering from all the species with the exception of the goat, as we do not find the goat as a burnt offering throughout the Torah.
“One goat as a sin offering” (Numbers 7:34), this is to atone for the act with Bilha. “And for the peace offering, two cattle” (Numbers 7:35), because he was [going to be] excluded from being enumerated with his brothers because of the act with Bilha, as it is written: “Reuben went and lay with Bilha, his father's concubine, and Israel heard” (Genesis 35:22), the matter was interrupted,77Genesis 35:22 is written in the Torah with an empty space in the middle of the verse following the phrase "and Israel heard," before the continuation “the sons of Jacob were twelve.” as it placed the end of the portion there, alluding that he was banished. This is why that portion is an open portion, as even though he was banished, the arms of the Holy One blessed be He are open to receive penitents. Because he sought to perform two good deeds, Joseph’s rescue and repentance, he was restored to be part of them, and was included in their tally. That is what is written: “The sons of Jacob were twelve” (Genesis 35:22). Due to these two acts that Reuben performed, Moses found an opportunity to pray on behalf of Reuben so that he would not be excluded from his brothers. That is what is written: “May Reuben live [and not die, and may his people be counted]” (Deuteronomy 33:6). “May Reuben live,” because he gave life to Joseph; “and not die,” due to the act of Bilha, because he repented; “and may his people be counted,” may his descendants be included in the tally of the other tribes in every sense. That is why it is stated: “And for the peace offering, two cattle [bakar]” (Numbers 7:35), corresponding to the two good deeds that he sought out [shebiker], Joseph’s rescue and the repentance, he was restored and was enumerated with his brothers.
“Five rams, five goats, five sheep in their first year” (Numbers 7:35), why three species? It is corresponding to the three times Reuben is mentioned in the portion of Joseph’s rescue and corresponding to the three “vayomer” that are written there.78Genesis 37:21, 22, 30. Why were there five of each? They correspond to the five words through which Reuben was drawn near. That is what is written: “The sons of Jacob were twelve.”79There are five words in the Hebrew phrase.
“This was the offering of Elitzur…” (Numbers 7:35), when the Holy One blessed be He saw that he presented his offering in this order, He began lauding his offering; “this was the offering…”
“On the fourth day, prince of the children of Reuben…” – once the banner of Judah70See Numbers 2:1–9. finished, the prince of Reuben began presenting his offering, because he was the firstborn, and he presented the offering regarding his tribe of Reuben.
“His offering was one silver dish, its weight one hundred and thirty; one silver basin of seventy shekels, in the sacred shekel; both of them full of high quality flour mixed with oil as a meal offering” (Numbers 7:31).
“One gold ladle, ten shekels, full of incense” (Numbers 7:32).
“His offering was one silver dish [ke’arat]” (Numbers 7:31), do not read it as ke’arat, but rather, as akeret; this is Reuben, who played the main [ikar] role in the rescue [of Joseph]. It was he who first initiated the rescue. That is what is written: “Reuben heard and rescued him from their hand” (Genesis 37:21). Alternatively, that he uprooted [akar] the thought of his brothers, who wanted to kill him, just as it says: “Now let us go and kill him…” (Genesis 37:20). “Silver,” in the sense of: “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver” (Proverbs 10:20). ”Its weight one hundred and thirty,” this is because the first three letters of the first three words that he said to them, their numerical value totals one hundred and thirty. “Let us not smite him mortally [lo nakenu nafesh]” (Genesis 37:21); take lamed from lo, nun from nakenu, and nun from nafesh; that is one hundred and thirty.71Lamed is thirty and nun is fifty, so 30 + 50 + 50 = 130.
“One silver basin [mizrak],” (Numbers 7:31), corresponding to the counsel he gave them that they should cast [sheyizreku] him into the pit, just as it says: “Reuben said to them: Do not shed blood; cast him into [this] pit…” (Genesis 37:22). “Silver,” in the sense of: “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver” (Proverbs 10:20). “Of seventy shekels, in the sacred shekel” (Numbers 7:31), corresponding to the secret [sod] that was in his heart to save him [Joseph]. The numerical value of sod is seventy.72Samekh is sixty, vav is 6 and dalet is 4 = 70. “Both of them full of high quality flour…” (Numbers 7:31), as what he said to them: “Let us not smite him mortally” and “cast him,” he intended only to rescue him, as in both matters,73His statement not to kill Joseph, and his proposal to throw Joseph into the pit. rescue is written: Initially, it is written: “Reuben heard and rescued him from their hand” (Genesis 37:21), and ultimately, it is written: “In order to rescue him from their hand” (Genesis 37:22). “One gold ladle [kaf], ten shekels…” (Numbers 7:32), kaf,74Kaf also means palm or hand. corresponding to what he said to his brothers: “Do not lay a hand on him” (Genesis 37:22). “Gold…ten shekels,” because he saved himself by admonishing them, and he saved nine brothers from bloodshed. That is why “gold” is written, as there is one type of gold that resembles blood, and that is parvayim gold. “Full of incense” (Numbers 7:32), although it happened to the tribes that Joseph’s sale befell them, you presume that this act would not have befallen them unless they had been wicked in performing other acts. No, but rather they were full-fledged righteous men, and no sin had ever befallen them other than this one: That is what is written: “They said one to another: But we are guilty [regarding our brother]” (Genesis 42:21). They were engaged in self-reflection as to why their detention in Egypt befell them, but found only this. From their disgrace, the verse relates their praise, that they had only this iniquity alone attributable to them. And because Joseph’s sale was fortuitous for him, as it led him to rule, and it was fortuitous for his brothers and his father’s entire household, as he provided them with food during the famine years, that is why he was sold by them, because merit is engendered by means of the meritorious. That is “full of incense.”
Another matter, “full of incense,” as, at that time, Reuben was a penitent, donning sackcloth, fasting, and praying before the Holy One blessed be He, that He grant him atonement for the iniquity of the act with Bilha.75See Genesis 35:22. Prayer is likened to incense, just as it says: “Let my prayer stand as incense before You…” (Psalms 141:2). That is, “full of incense.”
“One young bull, one ram, one lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering” (Numbers 7:33).
“One goat as a sin offering” (Numbers 7:34).
“And for the peace offering, two cattle, five rams, five goats, five sheep in their first year. This was the offering of Elitzur son of Shedeur” (Numbers 7:35).
“One young bull…” (Numbers 7:33), these are the offerings that he sacrificed, corresponding to the penitence in which he was engaged when Joseph was sold. Penitence is likened to all the offerings of a sinner, as it is written: “Offerings to God are a broken spirit” (Psalms 51:19). Just as the sinner brings a burnt offering and a sin offering for his sin, that is why he brought here a burnt offering and a sin offering, corresponding to them. And because the burnt offering is more cherished76By the Holy One blessed be He. than the sin offering, that is why he sacrificed a burnt offering from all the species with the exception of the goat, as we do not find the goat as a burnt offering throughout the Torah.
“One goat as a sin offering” (Numbers 7:34), this is to atone for the act with Bilha. “And for the peace offering, two cattle” (Numbers 7:35), because he was [going to be] excluded from being enumerated with his brothers because of the act with Bilha, as it is written: “Reuben went and lay with Bilha, his father's concubine, and Israel heard” (Genesis 35:22), the matter was interrupted,77Genesis 35:22 is written in the Torah with an empty space in the middle of the verse following the phrase "and Israel heard," before the continuation “the sons of Jacob were twelve.” as it placed the end of the portion there, alluding that he was banished. This is why that portion is an open portion, as even though he was banished, the arms of the Holy One blessed be He are open to receive penitents. Because he sought to perform two good deeds, Joseph’s rescue and repentance, he was restored to be part of them, and was included in their tally. That is what is written: “The sons of Jacob were twelve” (Genesis 35:22). Due to these two acts that Reuben performed, Moses found an opportunity to pray on behalf of Reuben so that he would not be excluded from his brothers. That is what is written: “May Reuben live [and not die, and may his people be counted]” (Deuteronomy 33:6). “May Reuben live,” because he gave life to Joseph; “and not die,” due to the act of Bilha, because he repented; “and may his people be counted,” may his descendants be included in the tally of the other tribes in every sense. That is why it is stated: “And for the peace offering, two cattle [bakar]” (Numbers 7:35), corresponding to the two good deeds that he sought out [shebiker], Joseph’s rescue and the repentance, he was restored and was enumerated with his brothers.
“Five rams, five goats, five sheep in their first year” (Numbers 7:35), why three species? It is corresponding to the three times Reuben is mentioned in the portion of Joseph’s rescue and corresponding to the three “vayomer” that are written there.78Genesis 37:21, 22, 30. Why were there five of each? They correspond to the five words through which Reuben was drawn near. That is what is written: “The sons of Jacob were twelve.”79There are five words in the Hebrew phrase.
“This was the offering of Elitzur…” (Numbers 7:35), when the Holy One blessed be He saw that he presented his offering in this order, He began lauding his offering; “this was the offering…”
Bamidbar Rabbah
“On the fifth day, prince of the children of Simeon, Shelumiel son of Tzurishadai” (Numbers 7:36).
“On the fifth day, prince of the children of Simeon, Shelumiel son of Tzurishadai…” –because Reuben was vigilant in rescuing his brother from death and Simeon was zealous regarding the harlotry of his sister in Shekhem, to rescue his sister from the hand of the impure; that is why he was privileged to present his offering after him.
“His offering was one silver dish, its weight one hundred and thirty; one silver basin of seventy shekels, in the sacred shekel; both of them full of high quality flour mixed with oil as a meal offering” (Numbers 7:37).
“His offering was one silver dish…” – the prince of Simeon came and presented his offering corresponding to the order of the crafting of the Tabernacle. Why did he present his offering corresponding to the crafting of the Tabernacle? They took an example from the act of Simeon, the forebear of the tribe. Just as Simeon was zealous regarding the harlotry, and killed all the residents of Shekhem because they tormented his sister Dina, just as it says: “…the two sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dina's brothers, each took his sword, and came upon the city confidently, and killed all the males. And Ḥamor, and Shekhem his son, they killed by sword, and they took Dina from the house of Shekhem, and departed” (Genesis 34:25–26), likewise, the Tabernacle would kill the adulterers and the sotot, just as it says: “The priest shall take sacred water in an earthenware vessel, and from the dirt that is on the floor of the Tabernacle, [the priest shall take and he shall place it into the water]” (Numbers 5:17), and it says: “He shall give her to drink the water, and it will be, if she was defiled, and committed a trespass [against her husband…her belly will distend, and her thigh will fall]” (Numbers 5:27). That is why Shelumiel presented his offering according to the order of the crafting of the Tabernacle, as a commemoration of Simeon’s action.
“His offering was one silver dish…” – “Dish,” corresponding to the Tabernacle courtyard that surrounded the Tabernacle like the sea surrounds the world. ”Its weight one hundred and thirty,” just as it says: “The length of the courtyard, one hundred cubits” (Exodus 27:18), and the length of the interior of the Tabernacle was thirty cubits; that is one hundred and thirty,
“One silver basin [of seventy shekels] (Numbers 7:37), it corresponded to the courtyard without the Tabernacle, that was seventy cubits. Fifty cubits before the Tabernacle and twenty cubits behind the Tabernacle, that is seventy cubits. Alternatively, the courtyard, its length was one hundred cubits and its width was fifty cubits, just as it says: “The length of the courtyard, one hundred cubits, and its width fifty by fifty…” (Exodus 27:18). Take the fifty that the length is greater than the width, and render them into strips and surround the fifty of the width in a square. Its width equals its length, seventy cubits and a remainder by seventy cubits and a remainder. That is why it said: “Seventy shekels” – because the remainder was less than a cubit, it was not taken into consideration.
Another matter, why seventy? It is corresponding to seventy pillars that were in the Tabernacle courtyard; twenty pillars on the south side, twenty pillars on the north side, ten on the west side, six pillars on the east side, and four pillars for the screen on the courtyard gate. That is sixty for the courtyard, [plus] four for the curtain, five for the screen of the Tabernacle entrance, and the pillar of the cloud; that is seventy.
“Both of them full of high quality flour mixed with oil as a meal offering” (Numbers 7:37), corresponding to the courtyard and the Tabernacle, as in the courtyard they would sacrifice a meal offering mixed with oil, and in the Tabernacle there was the showbread, which was of fine flour, and the candelabrum, that one kindles it with oil. There was frankincense on the table that would ascend for a pleasant aroma.
“One gold ladle, ten shekels, full of incense” (Numbers 7:38).
“One…ladle [kaf],” this is the Torah scroll that was placed next to the Ark. Just as this hand [kaf] has five fingers, so, too, it contains five books. “Gold…ten shekels,” these are the tablets that were in the Ark that contained the Ten Commandments.
Another matter, “gold…ten shekels,” corresponding to the ten portions in which the crafting of the Tabernacle is written. These are they: “They shall craft an Ark…” (Exodus 25:10); “you shall craft an Ark cover…” (Exodus 25:17); “you shall craft a table…” (Exodus 25:23); “you shall craft a candelabrum…” (Exodus 25:31); “the Tabernacle you shall craft…” (Exodus 26:1); “you shall craft sheets…” (Exodus 26:7); “you shall craft the boards…” (Exodus 26:15); “you shall craft a curtain…” (Exodus 26:31); “you shall craft an altar…” (Exodus 27:1); “you shall craft the Tabernacle courtyard…” (Exodus 27:9).
“One young bull, one ram, one lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering” (Numbers 7:39).
“One goat as a sin offering” (Numbers 7:40).
“And for the peace offering, two cattle, five rams, five goats, five sheep in their first year. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Tzurishadai” (Numbers 7:41).
“One young bull [par]” (Numbers 7:39), corresponding to the Tabernacle sheets that were crafted of all types of colors,80The midrash expounds par similar to apiryon, palanquin, which was colorful. just as it says: “You shall craft the Tabernacle of ten sheets [of spun linen and sky blue, purple and scarlet wool]” (Exodus 26:1). “One ram” (Numbers 7:39), corresponding to the covering of rams’ hides, dyed red. “One sheep” (Numbers 7:39), corresponding to the taḥash hides. “[One] goat” (Numbers 7:40), corresponding to the tent that consisted of sheets of goat hair. “And for the peace [hashelamim] offering, two cattle” (Numbers 7:41), this is corresponding to Betzalel and Oholiav, who completed [hishlimu] the labor of the Tabernacle. Alternatively, this is corresponding to the screen of the entrance of the Tabernacle and the screen of the entrance of the courtyard, which completed [mashlimim] the closure of the Tent on all its sides, and the closure of the courtyard on all its sides.
“Five rams, [five goats, five sheep]” (Numbers 7:41), these three species correspond to the hangings of the courtyard on its three sides, southern, northern, and western, as the length of the southern and the northern hangings was one hundred cubits, corresponding to the length of the courtyard, and the length of the western corresponded to its width of fifty cubits. Why were there five of each? It is corresponding to the courtyard hangings that were five cubits high, as it is stated: “And the height in the width, five cubits, corresponding to the hangings of the courtyard” (Exodus 38:18). And it says: “And the height, five cubits of fine twisted linen” (Exodus 27:18). Three times, that is fifteen, corresponding to the hangings of the fourth direction, as their length was only fifteen and fifteen cubits, as it is stated: “On the east side, they were fifty cubits. Hangings were fifteen cubits on the side…. On the second side: from this side and from that side of the gate of the courtyard, hangings were fifteen cubits” (Exodus 38:13–15).81On the eastern side, the fifty cubits of width of the courtyard consisted of fifteen cubits on each side of the screen at the entrance, which was twenty cubits.
“This was the offering of Shelumiel…” (Numbers 7:41), when the Holy One blessed be He saw that he presented his offering corresponding to the order of the crafting of the Tabernacle, He began lauding his offering: “This was the offering of Shelumiel…”
“On the fifth day, prince of the children of Simeon, Shelumiel son of Tzurishadai…” –because Reuben was vigilant in rescuing his brother from death and Simeon was zealous regarding the harlotry of his sister in Shekhem, to rescue his sister from the hand of the impure; that is why he was privileged to present his offering after him.
“His offering was one silver dish, its weight one hundred and thirty; one silver basin of seventy shekels, in the sacred shekel; both of them full of high quality flour mixed with oil as a meal offering” (Numbers 7:37).
“His offering was one silver dish…” – the prince of Simeon came and presented his offering corresponding to the order of the crafting of the Tabernacle. Why did he present his offering corresponding to the crafting of the Tabernacle? They took an example from the act of Simeon, the forebear of the tribe. Just as Simeon was zealous regarding the harlotry, and killed all the residents of Shekhem because they tormented his sister Dina, just as it says: “…the two sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dina's brothers, each took his sword, and came upon the city confidently, and killed all the males. And Ḥamor, and Shekhem his son, they killed by sword, and they took Dina from the house of Shekhem, and departed” (Genesis 34:25–26), likewise, the Tabernacle would kill the adulterers and the sotot, just as it says: “The priest shall take sacred water in an earthenware vessel, and from the dirt that is on the floor of the Tabernacle, [the priest shall take and he shall place it into the water]” (Numbers 5:17), and it says: “He shall give her to drink the water, and it will be, if she was defiled, and committed a trespass [against her husband…her belly will distend, and her thigh will fall]” (Numbers 5:27). That is why Shelumiel presented his offering according to the order of the crafting of the Tabernacle, as a commemoration of Simeon’s action.
“His offering was one silver dish…” – “Dish,” corresponding to the Tabernacle courtyard that surrounded the Tabernacle like the sea surrounds the world. ”Its weight one hundred and thirty,” just as it says: “The length of the courtyard, one hundred cubits” (Exodus 27:18), and the length of the interior of the Tabernacle was thirty cubits; that is one hundred and thirty,
“One silver basin [of seventy shekels] (Numbers 7:37), it corresponded to the courtyard without the Tabernacle, that was seventy cubits. Fifty cubits before the Tabernacle and twenty cubits behind the Tabernacle, that is seventy cubits. Alternatively, the courtyard, its length was one hundred cubits and its width was fifty cubits, just as it says: “The length of the courtyard, one hundred cubits, and its width fifty by fifty…” (Exodus 27:18). Take the fifty that the length is greater than the width, and render them into strips and surround the fifty of the width in a square. Its width equals its length, seventy cubits and a remainder by seventy cubits and a remainder. That is why it said: “Seventy shekels” – because the remainder was less than a cubit, it was not taken into consideration.
Another matter, why seventy? It is corresponding to seventy pillars that were in the Tabernacle courtyard; twenty pillars on the south side, twenty pillars on the north side, ten on the west side, six pillars on the east side, and four pillars for the screen on the courtyard gate. That is sixty for the courtyard, [plus] four for the curtain, five for the screen of the Tabernacle entrance, and the pillar of the cloud; that is seventy.
“Both of them full of high quality flour mixed with oil as a meal offering” (Numbers 7:37), corresponding to the courtyard and the Tabernacle, as in the courtyard they would sacrifice a meal offering mixed with oil, and in the Tabernacle there was the showbread, which was of fine flour, and the candelabrum, that one kindles it with oil. There was frankincense on the table that would ascend for a pleasant aroma.
“One gold ladle, ten shekels, full of incense” (Numbers 7:38).
“One…ladle [kaf],” this is the Torah scroll that was placed next to the Ark. Just as this hand [kaf] has five fingers, so, too, it contains five books. “Gold…ten shekels,” these are the tablets that were in the Ark that contained the Ten Commandments.
Another matter, “gold…ten shekels,” corresponding to the ten portions in which the crafting of the Tabernacle is written. These are they: “They shall craft an Ark…” (Exodus 25:10); “you shall craft an Ark cover…” (Exodus 25:17); “you shall craft a table…” (Exodus 25:23); “you shall craft a candelabrum…” (Exodus 25:31); “the Tabernacle you shall craft…” (Exodus 26:1); “you shall craft sheets…” (Exodus 26:7); “you shall craft the boards…” (Exodus 26:15); “you shall craft a curtain…” (Exodus 26:31); “you shall craft an altar…” (Exodus 27:1); “you shall craft the Tabernacle courtyard…” (Exodus 27:9).
“One young bull, one ram, one lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering” (Numbers 7:39).
“One goat as a sin offering” (Numbers 7:40).
“And for the peace offering, two cattle, five rams, five goats, five sheep in their first year. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Tzurishadai” (Numbers 7:41).
“One young bull [par]” (Numbers 7:39), corresponding to the Tabernacle sheets that were crafted of all types of colors,80The midrash expounds par similar to apiryon, palanquin, which was colorful. just as it says: “You shall craft the Tabernacle of ten sheets [of spun linen and sky blue, purple and scarlet wool]” (Exodus 26:1). “One ram” (Numbers 7:39), corresponding to the covering of rams’ hides, dyed red. “One sheep” (Numbers 7:39), corresponding to the taḥash hides. “[One] goat” (Numbers 7:40), corresponding to the tent that consisted of sheets of goat hair. “And for the peace [hashelamim] offering, two cattle” (Numbers 7:41), this is corresponding to Betzalel and Oholiav, who completed [hishlimu] the labor of the Tabernacle. Alternatively, this is corresponding to the screen of the entrance of the Tabernacle and the screen of the entrance of the courtyard, which completed [mashlimim] the closure of the Tent on all its sides, and the closure of the courtyard on all its sides.
“Five rams, [five goats, five sheep]” (Numbers 7:41), these three species correspond to the hangings of the courtyard on its three sides, southern, northern, and western, as the length of the southern and the northern hangings was one hundred cubits, corresponding to the length of the courtyard, and the length of the western corresponded to its width of fifty cubits. Why were there five of each? It is corresponding to the courtyard hangings that were five cubits high, as it is stated: “And the height in the width, five cubits, corresponding to the hangings of the courtyard” (Exodus 38:18). And it says: “And the height, five cubits of fine twisted linen” (Exodus 27:18). Three times, that is fifteen, corresponding to the hangings of the fourth direction, as their length was only fifteen and fifteen cubits, as it is stated: “On the east side, they were fifty cubits. Hangings were fifteen cubits on the side…. On the second side: from this side and from that side of the gate of the courtyard, hangings were fifteen cubits” (Exodus 38:13–15).81On the eastern side, the fifty cubits of width of the courtyard consisted of fifteen cubits on each side of the screen at the entrance, which was twenty cubits.
“This was the offering of Shelumiel…” (Numbers 7:41), when the Holy One blessed be He saw that he presented his offering corresponding to the order of the crafting of the Tabernacle, He began lauding his offering: “This was the offering of Shelumiel…”