לִפְנֵ֤י אֶפְרַ֨יִם ׀ וּבִנְיָ֘מִ֤ן וּמְנַשֶּׁ֗ה עוֹרְרָ֥ה אֶת־גְּבֽוּרָתֶ֑ךָ וּלְכָ֖ה לִישֻׁעָ֣תָה לָּֽנוּ׃
פֿאַרױס פֿאַר אפֿרַיִם און בנימין און מנשה דערװעק דײַן גבֿורה, און קום אונדז צו הילף.
Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition)
(13) And Haman related to Zereth his wife and to all his friends. And then it is written: Then said unto him his wise men and Zereth his wife; first they are called friends, and then wise men? R. Jochanan said: "A man, even of any nation, who says an intelligent thing only should be termed wise (Chacham). If Mordecai be of the seed of the Judeans; i.e., they said: "If Mordecai is descended from other tribes, you will get the better of him; but if he be descended from one of these tribes — Juda, Benjamin, Ephraim, Menaseeh — then you cannot overcome him; from Juda, because it is written (Gen. 49, 8) Thy hand shall be on the neck of thy enemies; and the other three, because it is written (Ps. 80, 3) Before Ephraim, Benjamin and Menasseh, awaken thy might." But thou will surely fall before him. R. Juda b. Ilai taught: "What is the meaning surely fall [doubled in the test]? Infer from this that they said to him thus: 'This nation (Israel) resembles earth, and resembles stars; when they sink they sink to the dust, and when they rise they rise to the stars.' " (Est. 6, 14) They were yet speaking with him when the king's chamberlains arrived, and they hastened. From this we infer that they brought him in a hurry. For the adversary regardeth not the damage of the king. She said to him: "This enemy is not worth the damage he causes to the king; when he became jealous of Vashti, he killed her, and now he becomes jealous of me, and wants to kill me too." And the king arose in his fury … and when the king returned. From this we may infer that just as he had gone out in a fury, so he returned in a fury; he went to his garden and found that angels, in the form of men, were uprooting the trees of his garden and throwing them away. Upon his inquiry as to why they were doing it, he was informed that Haman had ordered them to do so. When he returned to his house he found Haman was fallen upon the couch, etc. It is not written, fell [active case], but, was fallen [passive case]; i.e., infer from this that an angel came and pushed him. And the king said: "Woe from inside, and woe from outside." And the king said: "Will he even do violence to the queen before me in the house?" Then said Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, etc. R. Chama b. Chanina said: "Harbonah the wicked had also been among those who had given the advice to make a gallows for Mordecai; but as soon as he saw that his plan was not fulfilled, he deserted Haman and went over to Mordecai's friends, and this interpretation is derived from the passage (Job 27, 22) And will cast upon him, and have no pity; out of his hand will surely escape. And the fury of the king [Shachacha] was appeased. What does the double (appeasing) stand for? One refers to the King of the Universe and the other refers to Ahasuerus. Others, however, say that one refers to the anger about Vashti and one about Esther."
Bamidbar Rabbah
“Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah, according to their hosts, and the prince of the children of Judah is Nahsḥon, son of Aminadav” (Numbers 2:3).
“Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah…,” that is what is written: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, [established the heavens with understanding]” (Proverbs 3:19). The Holy One blessed be He created the four directions of the world: east, west, north, and south. East, from there light emerges to the world. West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat emerge to the world. South, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge to the world. North, from there, darkness emerges to the world. Similarly, He surrounded His Throne with four beasts and, above them all, the Throne of Glory.
Corresponding to them,15The four directions. the Holy One blessed be He arranged the banners for Moses. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moses, the east from which light emerges to the world, Judah will correspond to it, as he is the possessor of the kingdom, as it is stated: “Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah” (Numbers 2:3). With it, the tribe of Issachar, which is a possessor of Torah, as it is stated: “From the children of Issachar, possessors of understanding of the times” (I Chronicles 12:33). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Issachar” (Numbers 2:5). With it Zebulun, which is a possessor of wealth, as it is written: “Zebulun [will dwell] at the seashore, [and he shall be a shore for ships]” (Genesis 49:13). Likewise it says: “The tribe of Zebulun…” (Numbers 2:7). “All those counted for the camp of Judah…they shall travel first [rishona]” (Numbers 2:9), as the Torah is called rosh: “I was crowned from the distant past [merosh]” (Proverbs 8:23),16Torah here is a reference to Issachar. and it says: “For in the shadow of wisdom, in the shadow of money” (Ecclesiastes 7:12),17Money here is a reference to Zebulun. and it says: “Their king passed before them and the Lord is at their head” (Micah 2:13).18The king is a reference to Judah.
You find that everywhere Judah is first: first for encampment, as it is stated: “Those who encamp [to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah]” – first for travel. As it is stated: “They shall travel first” (Numbers 2:9). For offerings, Judah is first, as it is stated: “The one who presented [his offering on the first day was Naḥshon, son of Aminadav, of the tribe of Judah]” (Numbers 7:12). For war, Judah is first, as it is stated: “Who will ascend first against the Canaanites for us…? The Lord said: Judah will ascend” (Judges 1:1–2). And one verse says: “The Lord said: Judah first” (Judges 20:18). When the herald19Who will announce the redemption of Israel. comes, Judah will receive the tidings first, as it is stated: “The feet of the herald are upon the mountains, announcing peace. Celebrate your feasts, Judah” (Nahum 2:1). That is from the east.
The south, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge from it to the world. The tribe of Reuben will correspond to it, as he is a penitent. Penitence is a fine attribute, and the mercy of the Holy One blessed be He comes upon people when they repent. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Reuben is to the south…” (Numbers 2:10). With it, Gad, which was the possessor of a regiment, as it is stated: “Gad will wage war by regiment” (Genesis 49:19); Reuben with repentance, Gad with power, and Simeon in the middle to atone for it.20For the sin done with the daughters of Midyan at the Shitim (Number 25:1–9, 14–15). That is what is written: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Simeon” (Numbers 2:12), “and the tribe of Gad” (Numbers 2:14), “all those counted of the camp of Reuben…they shall travel second” (Numbers 2:16), as penitence is second to the Torah.
After these two banners traveled, the Levites would transport the Tabernacle; that is what is written: “The Tent of Meeting, the Levite camp, shall travel [in the midst of the camps]” (Numbers 2:17).
West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat, and corresponding to them, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. Who can withstand snow and hail? It is Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, as it is stated: “Rouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh” (Psalms 80:3). The Divine Presence is always in the west, on the border of Benjamin, as it is stated: “Of Benjamin he said: The beloved, [the Lord will dwell in safety with him; He covers over him all the day, and He rests between his shoulders]” (Deuteronomy 33:12). That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Ephraim according to their hosts is to the west…” (Numbers 2:18), “with it, the tribe of Manasseh…” (Numbers 2:20), “and the tribe of Benjamin, and the prince…” (Numbers 2:22), “all those counted for the camp [of Ephraim]…they shall travel third (Numbers 2:24). Strength is fitting for Torah and repentance, so that a person will strengthen himself in Torah and overcome his evil inclination.
North, from there darkness emerges to the world, and corresponding to it, the tribe of Dan. Why? It is because it brought darkness to the world with idol worship. Yerovam crafted two golden calves, and idol worship is darkness, as it is stated: “Their actions are in the dark” (Isaiah 29:15). Yerovam circulated throughout Israel and it was only the tribe of Dan that accepted it from him, as it is stated: “The king consulted, and he crafted two golden calves…and he placed one in Dan” (I Kings 12:28–29). That is why the Holy One blessed be He commanded that Dan would encamp in the north. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Dan is to the north…” (Numbers 2:25). With it, the tribe of Asher, which illuminates the darkness, as it is stated: “And of Asher he said: Blessed…and he dips his foot in oil”21Oil is used to light up the darkness. (Deuteronomy 33:24). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Asher” (Numbers 2:27). With it, Naphtali, who is filled with blessing in order to provide sustenance, just as it is written: “Naphtali, his desire is satisfied, [and full with the blessing of the Lord]” (Deuteronomy 33:23). Likewise it says: “and the tribe of Naphtali” (Numbers 2:29). “All those counted for the camp of Dan…they shall travel last by their banners (Numbers 2:31), as anyone who engages in idol worship goes backward and not forward. That is why it is stated: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, established the heavens with understanding”(Proverbs 3:19).
Just as the Holy One blessed be He created four directions and four banners corresponding to them, so, too, He surrounded His throne with four angels: Mikhael, Gavriel, Uriel, and Refael. Mikhael was to His right, corresponding to Reuben. Why is his name called Mikhael? When Israel crossed the sea, Moses broke out in song: “Who is like You [mikhamokha]” (Exodus 15:11). When he concluded the Torah, he said: “Yeshurun, there is none like God [ein kael]” (Deuteronomy 33:26). Mi khamokha, ein kael, that is Mikhael.
Uriel to his left, corresponding to Dan that was in the north. Why is his name called Uriel? It is because of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings with which the Holy One blessed be He atones for it,22For the tribe of Dan. and illuminates for Israel, as it is stated: “Arise, shine [ori], for your light has come [and the glory of the Lord has shone upon you]” (Isaiah 60:1). And David said: “The Lord is God [el], He has illuminated for us” (Psalms 118:27); that is Uriel. Likewise, it says: “Though I sit in darkness, the Lord is a light for me” (Micah 7:8).
Gavriel before Him, corresponding to the kingdom of Judah, Moses, and Aaron, who were in the east.23The directions are defined relative to somebody facing east. Therefore, the front is east, the back is west, to the left is north and to the right is south. Why was his name called Gavriel? Regarding Judah, it is written: “For Judah prevailed [gavar] over his brothers” (I Chronicles 5:2), and regarding Moses, it is written: “He called to Moses” (Leviticus 1:1), and it is written: “He called his name Pele Yoetz El Gibor” (Isaiah 9:5). That is Gavriel.
Refael, corresponding to Ephraim. Why was his name called Refael? It was in order to heal [lerapot] the breach of Yerovam, who emerged from Ephraim that is in the west. “God [el], please, heal [refa] her now” (Numbers 12:13).
“Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah…,” that is what is written: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, [established the heavens with understanding]” (Proverbs 3:19). The Holy One blessed be He created the four directions of the world: east, west, north, and south. East, from there light emerges to the world. West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat emerge to the world. South, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge to the world. North, from there, darkness emerges to the world. Similarly, He surrounded His Throne with four beasts and, above them all, the Throne of Glory.
Corresponding to them,15The four directions. the Holy One blessed be He arranged the banners for Moses. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moses, the east from which light emerges to the world, Judah will correspond to it, as he is the possessor of the kingdom, as it is stated: “Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah” (Numbers 2:3). With it, the tribe of Issachar, which is a possessor of Torah, as it is stated: “From the children of Issachar, possessors of understanding of the times” (I Chronicles 12:33). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Issachar” (Numbers 2:5). With it Zebulun, which is a possessor of wealth, as it is written: “Zebulun [will dwell] at the seashore, [and he shall be a shore for ships]” (Genesis 49:13). Likewise it says: “The tribe of Zebulun…” (Numbers 2:7). “All those counted for the camp of Judah…they shall travel first [rishona]” (Numbers 2:9), as the Torah is called rosh: “I was crowned from the distant past [merosh]” (Proverbs 8:23),16Torah here is a reference to Issachar. and it says: “For in the shadow of wisdom, in the shadow of money” (Ecclesiastes 7:12),17Money here is a reference to Zebulun. and it says: “Their king passed before them and the Lord is at their head” (Micah 2:13).18The king is a reference to Judah.
You find that everywhere Judah is first: first for encampment, as it is stated: “Those who encamp [to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah]” – first for travel. As it is stated: “They shall travel first” (Numbers 2:9). For offerings, Judah is first, as it is stated: “The one who presented [his offering on the first day was Naḥshon, son of Aminadav, of the tribe of Judah]” (Numbers 7:12). For war, Judah is first, as it is stated: “Who will ascend first against the Canaanites for us…? The Lord said: Judah will ascend” (Judges 1:1–2). And one verse says: “The Lord said: Judah first” (Judges 20:18). When the herald19Who will announce the redemption of Israel. comes, Judah will receive the tidings first, as it is stated: “The feet of the herald are upon the mountains, announcing peace. Celebrate your feasts, Judah” (Nahum 2:1). That is from the east.
The south, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge from it to the world. The tribe of Reuben will correspond to it, as he is a penitent. Penitence is a fine attribute, and the mercy of the Holy One blessed be He comes upon people when they repent. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Reuben is to the south…” (Numbers 2:10). With it, Gad, which was the possessor of a regiment, as it is stated: “Gad will wage war by regiment” (Genesis 49:19); Reuben with repentance, Gad with power, and Simeon in the middle to atone for it.20For the sin done with the daughters of Midyan at the Shitim (Number 25:1–9, 14–15). That is what is written: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Simeon” (Numbers 2:12), “and the tribe of Gad” (Numbers 2:14), “all those counted of the camp of Reuben…they shall travel second” (Numbers 2:16), as penitence is second to the Torah.
After these two banners traveled, the Levites would transport the Tabernacle; that is what is written: “The Tent of Meeting, the Levite camp, shall travel [in the midst of the camps]” (Numbers 2:17).
West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat, and corresponding to them, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. Who can withstand snow and hail? It is Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, as it is stated: “Rouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh” (Psalms 80:3). The Divine Presence is always in the west, on the border of Benjamin, as it is stated: “Of Benjamin he said: The beloved, [the Lord will dwell in safety with him; He covers over him all the day, and He rests between his shoulders]” (Deuteronomy 33:12). That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Ephraim according to their hosts is to the west…” (Numbers 2:18), “with it, the tribe of Manasseh…” (Numbers 2:20), “and the tribe of Benjamin, and the prince…” (Numbers 2:22), “all those counted for the camp [of Ephraim]…they shall travel third (Numbers 2:24). Strength is fitting for Torah and repentance, so that a person will strengthen himself in Torah and overcome his evil inclination.
North, from there darkness emerges to the world, and corresponding to it, the tribe of Dan. Why? It is because it brought darkness to the world with idol worship. Yerovam crafted two golden calves, and idol worship is darkness, as it is stated: “Their actions are in the dark” (Isaiah 29:15). Yerovam circulated throughout Israel and it was only the tribe of Dan that accepted it from him, as it is stated: “The king consulted, and he crafted two golden calves…and he placed one in Dan” (I Kings 12:28–29). That is why the Holy One blessed be He commanded that Dan would encamp in the north. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Dan is to the north…” (Numbers 2:25). With it, the tribe of Asher, which illuminates the darkness, as it is stated: “And of Asher he said: Blessed…and he dips his foot in oil”21Oil is used to light up the darkness. (Deuteronomy 33:24). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Asher” (Numbers 2:27). With it, Naphtali, who is filled with blessing in order to provide sustenance, just as it is written: “Naphtali, his desire is satisfied, [and full with the blessing of the Lord]” (Deuteronomy 33:23). Likewise it says: “and the tribe of Naphtali” (Numbers 2:29). “All those counted for the camp of Dan…they shall travel last by their banners (Numbers 2:31), as anyone who engages in idol worship goes backward and not forward. That is why it is stated: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, established the heavens with understanding”(Proverbs 3:19).
Just as the Holy One blessed be He created four directions and four banners corresponding to them, so, too, He surrounded His throne with four angels: Mikhael, Gavriel, Uriel, and Refael. Mikhael was to His right, corresponding to Reuben. Why is his name called Mikhael? When Israel crossed the sea, Moses broke out in song: “Who is like You [mikhamokha]” (Exodus 15:11). When he concluded the Torah, he said: “Yeshurun, there is none like God [ein kael]” (Deuteronomy 33:26). Mi khamokha, ein kael, that is Mikhael.
Uriel to his left, corresponding to Dan that was in the north. Why is his name called Uriel? It is because of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings with which the Holy One blessed be He atones for it,22For the tribe of Dan. and illuminates for Israel, as it is stated: “Arise, shine [ori], for your light has come [and the glory of the Lord has shone upon you]” (Isaiah 60:1). And David said: “The Lord is God [el], He has illuminated for us” (Psalms 118:27); that is Uriel. Likewise, it says: “Though I sit in darkness, the Lord is a light for me” (Micah 7:8).
Gavriel before Him, corresponding to the kingdom of Judah, Moses, and Aaron, who were in the east.23The directions are defined relative to somebody facing east. Therefore, the front is east, the back is west, to the left is north and to the right is south. Why was his name called Gavriel? Regarding Judah, it is written: “For Judah prevailed [gavar] over his brothers” (I Chronicles 5:2), and regarding Moses, it is written: “He called to Moses” (Leviticus 1:1), and it is written: “He called his name Pele Yoetz El Gibor” (Isaiah 9:5). That is Gavriel.
Refael, corresponding to Ephraim. Why was his name called Refael? It was in order to heal [lerapot] the breach of Yerovam, who emerged from Ephraim that is in the west. “God [el], please, heal [refa] her now” (Numbers 12:13).
Vayikra Rabbah
Another matter, “and for one who sets [vesam] his path” – Rabbi Yanai said: It is written vesham,6The word vesam is written with a sin, which can also be read as a shin, such that the word is vesham. [indicating] that one who assesses [deshayem] his path, his value is great. There was an incident involving Rabbi Yanai who was walking along the way, and he saw a certain person who was exceedingly distinguished in dress.7Rabbi Yanai mistook him for a Torah scholar based on his appearance. He said to him: ‘Would the Rabbi [agree to] be received as a guest with us?’ He said to him: ‘Yes.’ He took him into his house and gave him food and drink. He tested him in Bible, but did not find him knowledgeable; in Mishna, but did not find him knowledgeable; in agadda, but did not find him knowledgeable; in Talmud, but did not find him knowledgeable. He said to him: ‘Take and recite the blessing.’8Take a cup of wine and recite Grace after Meals. He said to him: ‘Let Yanai recite the blessing in his house.’ He said to him: ‘Are you able to repeat what I say to you?’ He said to him: ‘Yes.’ He said to him: ‘Say, the dog ate Yanai’s piece of bread.’ [The guest] stood and grabbed [Rabbi Yanai] and said to him: ‘My inheritance is with you and you are preventing me from it.’ He said: ‘In what sense is your inheritance with me?’ He said to him: ‘One time, I was passing before a school and I heard the voices of the children saying: “Moses commanded us Torah, the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob” (Deuteronomy 33:4). “The inheritance of the congregation of Yanai” is not written here, but rather “the congregation of Jacob.”’9The guest was saying to Rabbi Yanai that he had just as much a stake in the Torah as the Torah scholars, and by calling him a dog Rabbi Yanai was denying him that right (Matnot Kehuna). He said to him: ‘Why did you merit to eat at my table?’ He said to him: ‘In all my days, I never heard a bad word and related it to its subject, and I never saw two [people] quarreling with one another and did not make peace between them.’ He said: ‘You have so much civility to your credit, and I called you a dog?’ He applied in his regard: “And for one who sets his path” – one who assesses his path, his value is great. As Rabbi Yishmael bar Rav Naḥman said: Civility preceded the Torah by twenty-six generations. That is what is written: “To guard the path to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24). “Path,” this is civility, and then “the tree of life,” this is the Torah.
“I will show him the salvation of God” (Psalms 50:23), Rabbi Abahu said: This is one of the verses in which the salvation of the Holy One blessed be He is the salvation of Israel: “It is for You to save us” (Psalms 80:3).10The verse is understood here to mean: Our salvation is Yours.
“I will show him the salvation of God” (Psalms 50:23), Rabbi Abahu said: This is one of the verses in which the salvation of the Holy One blessed be He is the salvation of Israel: “It is for You to save us” (Psalms 80:3).10The verse is understood here to mean: Our salvation is Yours.