“Take Aaron, and his sons with him, and the vestments, and the anointing oil, and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread” (Leviticus 8:2). “Take Aaron, and his sons with him….” That is what the verse said: “You love righteousness and detest wickedness…” (Psalms 45:8). Rabbi Yudan interpreted the verse regarding Abraham our patriarch. When he asked for mercy on the people of Sodom, he said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, You took an oath that you will not bring a flood to the world.’ That is what is written: “For, this is for Me like the waters of Noah, [as I took an oath that the waters of Noah would no longer pass over the earth]” (Isaiah 54:9). ‘A flood of water You will not bring, but a flood of fire You will bring? Are You going to employ artifice regarding the oath? If so, You have not fulfilled Your oath.’ That is what is written: “Far be it from You to perform a matter like this” (Genesis 18:25). He said before Him: ‘“Far be it from You; shall the Judge of all the earth not execute justice?” (Genesis 18:25). If it is justice You seek, there will be no world. If it is the world that You seek, there can be no justice. You seek to hold the rope at both ends; You seek the world and You seek true justice. If You do not concede somewhat, Your world will be unable to exist.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to Abraham: ‘“You love righteousness and detest wickedness” – you love to vindicate My creations and you detest condemning them. “Therefore, God your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy over your counterparts”’ (Psalms 45:8). What is “over your counterparts”? He said to him: ‘As you live, in the ten generations from Noah until you, I did not speak with any of them, but with you I speak,’ as it is stated: “The Lord said to Abram: You, go” (Genesis 12:1).
Rabbi Azarya in the name of Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon interpreted the verse regarding Isaiah. Isaiah said: ‘I was at leisure in my study hall, and I heard the voice of the Holy One blessed be He saying: “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8). [God said:] I sent Micah, and they were striking him on his cheek. That is what is written: “With a rod they strike on the cheek” (Micah 4:14). I sent Amos and they would call him stutterer, as Rabbi Pinḥas said: Why was his name called Amos? It was because he was cumbrous [amus] of tongue. Now, “whom shall I send and who will go for us?” “I said: Here I am, send me” (Isaiah 6:8). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Isaiah, My children, they are troublesome and insubordinate. If you accept upon yourself to be demeaned and to be stricken by My children, you will go on My mission, but if not, you will not go on My mission.’ He said to Him: ‘[I am willing to accept] this condition; “I gave my body to those who smite and my cheeks to those who pluck” (Isaiah 50:6). But I am not worthy to go on a mission to Your children.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Isaiah, “you love righteousness,” you love to vindicate My children; “and detest wickedness,” you detest condemning them. “Therefore, God your God, has anointed you.”’ What is “over your counterparts”? He said to him: ‘As you live, all the prophets received their prophetic capacity from a prophet: “He drew from the spirit that was upon him [and placed it upon the seventy elders…they prophesied]” (Numbers 11:25). “They said: The spirit of Elijah has rested upon Elisha” (II Kings 2:15). But you, from the mouth of the Holy One blessed be He: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed…” (Isaiah 61:1). As you live, all the prophets prophesy simple prophecies, but you [will receive] compound prophecies of consolation: “Awaken, awaken, [clothe yourself with splendor…]” (Isaiah 51:9), “awaken yourself, awaken yourself, [arise, O Jerusalem…]” (Isaiah 51:17), “I will be gladdened [sos asis]” (Isaiah 61:10), “I, I [am He who comforts you…]” (Isaiah 51:12), “Comfort, comfort [My people, says your God]”’ (Isaiah 40:1).
Rabbi Berekhya in the name of Rabbi Abba bar Kahana interpreted the verse regarding Aaron. When Israel performed that act,1The sin of the Golden Calf. initially they approached Ḥur. They said to him: ‘Rise, craft for us a god.’ When he did not heed them, they stood against him and killed him. That is what is written: “Moreover, on the edge of your garments the blood…is found” (Jeremiah 2:34); this is the blood of Ḥur. “You did not find it while excavating; rather on all these [eleh]” (Jeremiah 2:34), because they committed [the sin of declaring]: “This is [eleh] your god, Israel” (Exodus 32:4). Afterward, they approached Aaron. They said to him: “Rise, craft for us a god” (Exodus 32:1). When Aaron heard this, he was immediately afraid. That is what is written: “Aaron saw [vayar] and he built an altar [mizbe’aḥ] before him” (Exodus 32:5); he was afraid [nityareh] due to the one slaughtered [mizavuaḥ] before him. Aaron said: What shall I do? They killed Ḥur, who was a prophet. Now, if they kill me, as I am a priest, the verse that is written will be realized in their regard: “If a priest and a prophet will be killed in the Sanctuary of the Lord” (Lamentations 2:20), and they will be immediately exiled. Another matter, “Aaron saw” – what did he see? If they build it, this one will bring a pebble and this one will bring a stone and their labor will be completed all at once. But if I build it, I will be indolent in my labor, and our master, Moses, will descend and do away with the idol. And, since I am building it, I will build it in the name of the Holy One blessed be He. That is what is written: “Aaron proclaimed and said: A festival to the Lord tomorrow” (Exodus 32:5). “A festival to the calf tomorrow” is not written here, but rather, “a festival to the Lord tomorrow.” Another matter, “Aaron saw” – what did he see? Aaron said: If they build it, the corruption will be ascribed to them. It is preferable that the corruption be ascribed to me and not to Israel. Rabbi Abba bar Yudan in the name of Rabbi Abba: This is analogous to the son of kings whose heart became haughty and he took the sword to slash his father. His teacher said to him: ‘Do not exert yourself. Give it to me and I will slash.’ The king peered at him and said to him: ‘I know what your intentions were. It is preferable that the corruption be attributed to you and not to my son. As you live, you will not move from my palace, you shall partake of the remnants of my table, and you shall receive twenty-four stipends.’ So too, ‘you will not move from my palace’; “he shall not emerge from the Sanctuary” (Leviticus 21:12). ‘You shall partake of the remnants of my table’; “The remnant of the meal offering [shall be for Aaron and for his sons]” (Leviticus 2:3). ‘And you shall receive twenty-four stipends’; these are the twenty-four gifts of the priesthood that were given to Aaron and his sons. The Holy One blessed be He said to Aaron: ‘“You love righteousness,” you love to vindicate My children and detest condemning them. “Therefore, God your God, has anointed you.”’ He said to him: ‘As you live, from the entire tribe of Levi, you alone have been selected for the High Priesthood: “Take Aaron. and his sons with him”’ (Leviticus 8:2).
Another matter, “Take Aaron, and his sons with him” – that is what the verse said: “Deliver those taken to death; [if only you would save] those likely to be killed” (Proverbs 24:11). Antoninus ascended to Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi]. He found Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] sitting with his disciples before him. He said to him: ‘Are these the ones of whom you boast?’ He said to him: ‘Yes. The least of them can revive the dead.’ Some time later, a servant of Antoninus was dying. He sent to [Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi] and said: ‘Send one of your disciples, so he will revive this dead person for me.’ He sent him one of his disciples, some say it was Rabbi Shimon ben Ḥalafta. He came and found [the servant] recumbent. He said to him: ‘Why are you recumbent while your master is standing on his feet?’ He immediately shook violently and stood up.2Although he had been on his deathbed, he was granted renewed life and vigor. Another matter, “deliver those taken to death” (Proverbs 24:11), these are the sons of Aaron. “If only you would save those likely to be killed” (Proverbs 24:11), these are the sons of Aaron who were slated for death. Rav Ḥanan said: It is written: “He took it from their hands and crafted it with a graving tool” (Exodus 32:4). Let the taking here come and rectify the taking there. Two died and two remained; “take Aaron, and his sons.”3Aaron’s selection along with his sons, as expressed in this verse, partially rectified Aaron’s sin of taking the tool and fashioning the Golden Calf (see Rabbi David Luria).
Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, Rabbi Yehuda says: Repentance accomplishes half and prayer accomplishes it all.4Repentance can partially reverse a harsh heavenly decree against a person, and prayer can reverse it in its entirety. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Repentance accomplishes it all and prayer accomplishes half. According to Rabbi Yehuda bar Rabbi, repentance accomplishes half. From whom do you derive it? It is from Cain. An edict was decreed against him. Once he repented, half of the edict was withheld from him. From where is it derived that he repented? As it is stated: “Cain said to the Lord: My iniquity is too great to bear” (Genesis 4:13). From where is it derived that half the edict was withheld from him? That is what is written: “Cain departed from the presence of the Lord, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden” (Genesis 4:16). “Restless and itinerant” (Genesis 4:14) is not written here, but rather, “in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”5The edict was that he would be exiled, would never find respite in one place and would continuously wander. After repenting, although he was exiled, he did not continuously wander. Another matter, “Cain departed” – from where did he depart? Rabbi Yudan said in the name of Rabbi Aivu: He flung his garments behind him and departed, as one who deceives the One On High.6He flung his garments over his shoulder as though intending to begin his ongoing wandering. In reality though, he had no intention of doing so. Rabbi Berekhya said in the name of Rabbi Ilai bar Shemaya: He departed like one who is deceiving and misleading his Creator.7According to both these opinions, Cain did not repent. Rabbi Huna said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina bar Yitzḥak: He departed joyously, just as it says: “Behold, he, too, is departing to meet you and he will see you and rejoice in his heart” (Exodus 4:14). When he departed, he encountered Adam the first man. [Adam] said to him: ‘What happened in your trial?’ He said: ‘I repented and was granted a compromise.’ When Adam the first man heard this, he began slapping his face. He said to him: ‘The power of repentance is so great and I did not know?’ At that moment, Adam the first man recited: “A psalm, a song for the Sabbath day” (Psalms 92:1).8Shabbat is expounded to mean the day of repentance [teshuva]. The following verse: “It is good to praise [lehodot] to the Lord,”– lehodot is expounded to meanto recite confession [vidui]. Rabbi Levi said: This psalm, Adam the first man recited it. According to the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi, who said: Prayer accomplishes it all, from whom do you derive it? It is from Hezekiah. Hezekiah’s primary reign was only fourteen years. That is what is written: “It was in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah” (Isaiah 36:1).9As described in the continuation of the narrative (Isaiah chapter 38), Hezekiah became gravely ill at that time and God stated that he would die. Due to his prayer, fifteen years were added for him, as it is stated: “I am adding fifteen years to your days” (Isaiah 38:5). According to the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, who said that repentance accomplishes it all, from whom do you derive it? It is from the people of Anatot, as it is stated: “Therefore, so said the Lord…the young men will die by the sword” (Jeremiah 11:22). Since they repented, they were privileged to be recorded in the genealogical record,10This is the record of those returning to Zion from Babylon. Since they were listed, it is clear that they had not been killed previously. as it is stated: “The people of Anatot, one hundred and twenty-eight” (Nehemiah 7:27). And if you do not derive it from the people of Anatot, derive it from Konya: “Is this [man Konya] a spurned, broken idol [etzev]?[Is he an unwanted vessel? Why have they been cast, he and his descendants, and thrown into the land that they did not know?]” (Jeremiah 22:28). Rabbi Abba said: Like a bone with marrow, that once it is shattered nothing of value remains.11All the bone marrow has been removed. Rabbi Ḥelbo said: Like the wicker basket of dates that when you empty it, nothing of value remains, “is he an unwanted vessel?” Rabbi Ḥama bar Ḥanina said: Like chamber pots. Rabbi Shmuel bar Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Like the receptacles of bloodletters. Rabbi Zeira said: ‘I heard something on this from Rabbi Shmuel bar Rabbi Yitzḥak, who would expound about this, but I do not know what it was.’ Rabbi Aḥa Arikha said: ‘Perhaps it was this: “Write this man childless, a man who will not succeed in his days”’ (Jeremiah 22:30). He said to him: ‘Yes, in his days he will not succeed, but he will succeed in the days of his son.’12Although he was initially decreed childless, it is inferred from the conclusion of the verse – “for no man of his offspring shall be accepted to sit on the throne of David and to rule again in Judah” – that he would have children. Rabbi Aḥa and Rabbi Avin bar Binyamin in the name of Rabbi Abba: Great is the power of repentance, and it voids an edict and voids an oath. An oath, as it is stated: “As I live, the utterance of the Lord, for if Konya, son of Yehoyakim, [king of Judah, would be a signet ring upon My right hand, then from there I would sever you]” (Jeremiah 22:24). It voids an edict: “Write this man childless, a man who will not succeed in his days,” and it is written: “The sons of Konya, Asir, She’altiel his son” (I Chronicles 3:17); Asir, because he was in prison [beit haasurim]; She’altiel, because the kingdom of the house of David was planted [hushtela] from him.13The verse is interpreted to mean that Konya, also called Asir, begot a child, She’altiel, while imprisoned. Rabbi Tanḥum ben Rabbi Yirmeya said: Asir, this is the Holy One blessed be He, who bound Himself with an oath. She’altiel, because God consulted with His supernal court to annul His oath. According to the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, who said that prayer accomplishes half, from whom do you derive it? It is from Aaron, as initially an edict was decreed against him, as it is stated: “The Lord was very angry with Aaron to destroy him[and I prayed for Aaron, too, at that time]” (Deuteronomy 9:20). Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin said in the name of Rabbi Levi: Destruction is nothing other than the eradication of children, just as it says: “I destroyed his fruit from above and his roots from below” (Amos 2:9). Since Moses prayed on his behalf, half the edict was withheld from him; two [of Aarons sons] died and two remained. That is what is written: “Take Aaron, and his sons with him.”
“And the vestments,” Rabbi Simon says: Just as the offerings atone, so do the vestments atone, as it is taught: The High Priest serves in eight vestments, and the common priest in four: In a tunic, trousers, a mitre, and a belt. The High Priest adds upon his: A breastplate, an ephod, a robe, and a frontlet.14Mishna Yoma 7:5. The tunic is to atone for those wearing diverse kinds,15This refers to the prohibition of wearing a garment made from wool and linen. just as it says: “He made for him a fine tunic” (Genesis 37:3).16Some say that Joseph’s tunic was linen adorned with wool. The priest’s tunic is just linen to atone for those who adorn their linen with wool. The trousers are to atone for forbidden sexual relations, just as it says: “Make them linen trousers to cover the flesh of their nakedness” (Exodus 28:42). The mitre is to atone for haughtiness, just as it says: “You shall place the mitre on his head” (Exodus 29:6). The belt, there is one who says [it atones] for the crookedness of the heart, and there is one who says [it atones] for the thieves. Rabbi Levi said: The belt was thirty-two cubits and he would wind it crookedly before him and behind him, according to the one who said for the crookedness [akmanin] of the heart.17The thirty-two cubits are because the numerical value of the word lev, heart, is thirty-two. According to the one who said for the thieves, it is because it was hollow, corresponding to thieves who perform their deeds clandestinely. The breastplate atones for those who subvert justice, just as it says: “The breastplate of justice” (Exodus 28:30). The ephod is to atone for idolaters, as it is stated: “No ephod or household idols” (Hosea 3:4). The robe, Rabbi Simon said in the name of Rabbi Natan: There are two matters for which there is no atonement, but the Torah provided atonement for them,18There is no sacrificial offering that provides atonement, but the Torah provides another means of atonement (Maharzu, based on Arakhin 16a). and these are: Evil speech and an unwitting murderer. Evil speech has no atonement but the Torah provided atonement for it. With what will it be atoned? With the bells on the robe. That is what is written: “A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate” (Exodus 28:34). “It shall be on Aaron to serve and its sound shall be heard” (Exodus 28:35). [God] said: Let the sound come and atone for the sound. The unwitting murderer has no atonement but the Torah provided atonement for him. With what will he be atoned? With the death of the High Priest. That is what is written: “After the death of the High Priest, [the murderer shall return to the land of his ancestral holding]” (Numbers 35:28). The frontlet, there is one who says [it provides atonement] for the impudent and there is one who says [it provides atonement] for the blasphemers. The one who says for the impudent, it is from the daughters of Zion. Here it is written: “It shall be on the forehead [metzaḥ] of Aaron” (Exodus 28:38), and there it is written: “But you had the impudence [metzaḥ] of a harlot” (Jeremiah 3:3). The one who said for the blasphemers, it is from Goliath.19The verse says of Goliath: “He has blasphemed the armies of the living God” (I Samuel 17:26). Here it is written: “It shall be on his forehead always” (Exodus 28:38), and there it is written: “It struck the Philistine on his forehead” (I Samuel 17:49).
“He fell on his face to the ground” (I Samuel 17:49).20This verse describes David’s killing of Goliath. Why on his face? Initially, you expound: So that that righteous one would not be troubled six cubits and one span.21It was so when David went to behead him, Goliath’s head would be close to David. Had he fallen on his back, David would have needed to walk farther to behead him. Alternatively, why on his face? It is because Dagon his god was situated on his heart, just as it says: “I will place your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols” (Leviticus 26:30). Alternatively, why on his face? It was so that the mouth that blasphemed and cursed would be placed in the dust. That is what is written: “Hide them in the dust together; cover their faces in concealment” (Job 40:13). Alternatively, why on his face? It is based on: “Your enemies will deceive you but you will tread on their high places” (Deuteronomy 33:29).22The high place of the body is the nape. Goliath fell in such a manner that his nape was exposed and vulnerable.
“And the anointing oil” – Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Ilai said: The anointing oil that Moses prepared in the wilderness, miraculous acts were performed in its regard from beginning to end. From the beginning, there were only twelve log, as it is stated: “This [zeh]23The numerical value of the word zeh is twelve. shall be the sacred anointing oil for Me” (Exodus 30:31). This was insufficient even to soak the branches.24Various types of branches in significant quantities were to be soaked in the oil so that it would absorb their scent. See Exodus 30:22–25. How much was burned by the fire? How much was absorbed by the branches? How much was absorbed by the cauldron? From it, Aaron and his sons were anointed for all seven days of the investiture. From it, the golden altar and all its implements were anointed. From it, the bronze altar and all its implements, the table and all its implements, the candelabrum and all its implements, and the basin and its base were anointed. From it, High Priests and kings were anointed. Even a High Priest son of a High Priest for ten generations25Even if the high priesthood has been in his family for many generations. requires anointing. One does not anoint a king son of a king. Why then, did they anoint Solomon? It was due to Adoniyahu.26Adoniyahu attempted to position himself to take over as king after King David. As a result, it was necessary to anoint Solomon in order to demonstrate that he was David’s true successor. See I Kings chapter 1. Yoash [was anointed] due to Atalya, and Yehoaḥaz due to Yehoyakim his brother, who was two years older than he. All of it will be intact in the future. That is what is written: “This shall be the sacred anointing oil for Me.”27The verse is expounded to mean that “this [zeh]” sacred anointed oil shall be intact in the future in its original quantity of twelve log, implied by the numerical value of the word zeh. Thus, despite being used many times, the anointing oil miraculously did not decrease in quantity. One anoints kings only adjacent to a spring, as it is stated: “The king said to them: Take with you the servants of your lord, mount Solomon my son upon my mule, and take him down to Gihon” (I Kings 1:33). One anoints a king only from a horn.28A horn-shaped receptacle for liquids. Saul and Yehu were anointed from a cruse, because their reign was a transient reign. David and Solomon were anointed from a horn because their kingdom is an eternal kingdom.
“And the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams” (Leviticus 8:2), Rav Huna said in the name of Rabbi Abba bar Kahana: He fashioned a hill of sorts; a ram on one side, a ram on the other side, and a bull in the middle.29The different heights of the animals produced the effect of a hill. This symbolized the fact that Aaron and his sons were becoming exalted through the process of investiture on these days (Etz Yosef). “Assemble the entire congregation at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting” (Leviticus 8:3). “Assemble the entire congregation at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.” Rabbi Elazar said: All of Israel was six hundred thousand, and you say: “At the entrance of the Tent of Meeting”? Rather, this is one of the places where the lesser contained the greater.30A large number of people were able to gather in a relatively small area. Similarly, “Let the water under the heavens be gathered to one place” (Genesis 1:9). The way of the world is that a person empties a full vessel into an empty vessel. Or, is it, perhaps, a full vessel into a full vessel? The entire world was full of water, and you say: “Let the water…be gathered”? Rather, this is one of the places where the lesser contained the greater. Similarly, “take for yourselves cupped handfuls of soot of a furnace” (Exodus 9:8). Rav Huna said: This cupped handful and this clenched handful are not comparable. The cupped handful is twice the clenched handful. Four cupped handfuls are eight clenched handfuls. The outcome is that the cupped hand of Moses holds eight clenched handfuls.31Two handfuls for Moses and two handfuls for Aaron are altogether four cupped handfuls. But it says that “Moses shall throw it heavenward.” In order to do so powerfully, he must use one hand. Rather, it teaches that the Holy One blessed be He provided the ability. [Moses and] Aaron took cupped handfuls, and Moses threw them. And you say: “Moses threw then heavenward” (Exodus 9:8) all at once. Rather, this is one of the places where the lesser contained the greater. Similarly, “The length of the courtyard shall be one hundred cubits and the width shall be fifty on each side” (Exodus 27:18). Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥalafta said: The length of the courtyard was one hundred cubits and all of Israel was standing inside it? Rather, this is one of the places where the lesser contained the greater. Similarly, “Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock” (Numbers 20:10). Rav Ḥanin said: It was the size of a sieve and all of Israel was standing before it? Rather, this is one of the places where the lesser contained the greater. Similarly, “Joshua said to the children of Israel: Come here” (Joshua 3:9). Rav Huna said: He stood them all erect between the two staves of the Ark. Rabbi Ḥama bar Ḥanina said: He arranged them between the two staves of the Ark. Rava said: He crowded them between the two staves of the Ark. That is what is written: “Joshua said: With this you will know that the living God is in your midst” (Joshua 3:10). He said to them: Because the two staves of the Ark contained you, I know that His Divine Presence is in your midst. This occurred in the Temple, too, as we learned: They would stand crowded and prostrate themselves spaced.32Mishna Avot 5:5. Rabbi Shmuel bar Ivya said in the name of Rabbi Aḥa: There were four cubits between each and every one, and a cubit on each side so that none of them would hear the voice of another praying. This will occur in the future, too, as it is stated: “At that time, they will call Jerusalem the Throne of the Lord, and all the nations will be gathered to it” (Jeremiah 3:17). Rabbi Yoḥanan ascended to inquire after the wellbeing of Rabbi Ḥanina and found him engaged in this verse: “At that time, they will call Jerusalem the Throne of the Lord, and all the nations will be gathered to it.” He said to him: ‘Will it [Jerusalem] contain them?’ He said to him: ‘The verse says: “Expand the place of your tent” (Isaiah 54:2) “for you will spread right and left”’ (Isaiah 54:3).
קַח אֶת אַהֲרֹן וְאֶת בָּנָיו אִתּוֹ וגו' (ויקרא ח, ב), זֶה שֶׁאָמַר הַכָּתוּב (תהלים מה, ח): אָהַבְתָּ צֶדֶק וַתִּשְׂנָא רֶשַׁע וגו'. רַבִּי יוּדָן בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי עֲזַרְיָה פָּתַר קְרָיָא בְּאַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁבִּקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים עַל סְדוֹמִיִּים אָמַר לְפָנָיו רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם נִשְׁבַּעְתָּ שֶׁאִי אַתָּה מֵבִיא מַבּוּל לָעוֹלָם, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (ישעיה נד, ט): כִּי מֵי נֹחַ זֹאת לִי, מַבּוּל שֶׁל מַיִם אִי אַתָּה מֵבִיא מַבּוּל שֶׁל אֵשׁ אַתָּה מֵבִיא, מַה אַתָּה מַעֲרִים עַל הַשְּׁבוּעָה, אִם כֵּן לֹא יָצָאתָ יְדֵי שְׁבוּעָה, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (בראשית יח, כה): חָלִלָה לְךָ מֵעֲשׂת כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה, אָמַר לְפָנָיו (בראשית יח, כה): חָלִלָה לָּךְ הֲשֹׁפֵט כָּל הָאָרֶץ לֹא יַעֲשֶׂה מִשְׁפָּט, אִם מִשְׁפָּט אַתָּה מְבַקֵּשׁ אֵין כָּאן עוֹלָם אִם עוֹלָם אַתָּה מְבַקֵּשׁ אֵין כָּאן מִשְׁפָּט, אַתְּ בָּעֵי תְּפוֹשׂ חַבְלָא בִּתְרֵין רֵישֵׁי, בָּעֵית עַלְמָא וּבָעֵית דִּינָא דְּקוּשְׁטָא אִם אֵין אַתְּ מְוַתֵּר צִיבְחַר לֵית עוֹלָמָךְ יָכֵיל קָאֵים. אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְאַבְרָהָם (תהלים מה, ח): אָהַבְתָּ צֶדֶק וַתִּשְׂנָא רֶשַׁע, אָהַבְתָּ לְצַדֵּק בְּרִיּוֹתַי וְשָׂנֵאתָ מִלְּחַיְּבָן (תהלים מה, ח): עַל כֵּן מְשָׁחֲךָ אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֶיךָ שֶׁמֶן שָׂשׂוֹן מֵחֲבֵרֶיךָ, מַהוּ מֵחֲבֵרֶיךָ, אָמַר לוֹ חַיֶּיךָ שֶׁעֲשָׂרָה דוֹרוֹת שֶׁמִּנֹּחַ עַד אֶצְלְךָ עִם אֶחָד מֵהֶם לֹא דִבַּרְתִּי וְעִמְּךָ אֲנִי מְדַבֵּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית יב, א): וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל אַבְרָם לֶךְ לְךָ.
“Take Aaron, and his sons with him, and the vestments, and the anointing oil, and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread” (Leviticus 8:2).
“Take Aaron, and his sons with him….” That is what the verse said: “You love righteousness and detest wickedness…” (Psalms 45:8). Rabbi Yudan interpreted the verse regarding Abraham our patriarch. When he asked for mercy on the people of Sodom, he said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, You took an oath that you will not bring a flood to the world.’ That is what is written: “For, this is for Me like the waters of Noah, [as I took an oath that the waters of Noah would no longer pass over the earth]” (Isaiah 54:9). ‘A flood of water You will not bring, but a flood of fire You will bring? Are You going to employ artifice regarding the oath? If so, You have not fulfilled Your oath.’ That is what is written: “Far be it from You to perform a matter like this” (Genesis 18:25). He said before Him: ‘“Far be it from You; shall the Judge of all the earth not execute justice?” (Genesis 18:25). If it is justice You seek, there will be no world. If it is the world that You seek, there can be no justice. You seek to hold the rope at both ends; You seek the world and You seek true justice. If You do not concede somewhat, Your world will be unable to exist.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to Abraham: ‘“You love righteousness and detest wickedness” – you love to vindicate My creations and you detest condemning them. “Therefore, God your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy over your counterparts”’ (Psalms 45:8). What is “over your counterparts”? He said to him: ‘As you live, in the ten generations from Noah until you, I did not speak with any of them, but with you I speak,’ as it is stated: “The Lord said to Abram: You, go” (Genesis 12:1).
רַבִּי עֲזַרְיָה בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בַּר סִימוֹן פָּתַר קְרָיָא בִּישַׁעְיָה, אָמַר יְשַׁעְיָה מְטַיֵּל הָיִיתִי בְּבֵית תַּלְמוּדִי וְשָׁמַעְתִּי קוֹלוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אוֹמֶרֶת (ישעיה ו, ח): אֶת מִי אֶשְׁלַח וּמִי יֵלֶךְ לָנוּ, שָׁלַחְתִּי אֶת מִיכָה וְהָיוּ מַכִּין אוֹתוֹ בַּלֶּחִי, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (מיכה ד, יד): בַּשֵּׁבֶט יַכּוּ עַל הַלְּחִי, שָׁלַחְתִּי אֶת עָמוֹס וְהָיוּ קוֹרִין אוֹתוֹ פְּסִילוּס, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי פִּנְחָס לָמָּה נִקְרָא שְׁמוֹ עָמוֹס, שֶׁהָיָה עָמוּס בִּלְשׁוֹנוֹ, מֵעַתָּה אֶת מִי אֶשְׁלַח וּמִי יֵלֶךְ לָנוּ וָאֹמַר הִנְנִי שְׁלָחֵנִי, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, יְשַׁעְיָה, בָּנַי טַרְחָנִין סַרְבָנִים הֵם, אִם אַתָּה מְקַבֵּל עָלֶיךָ לְהִתְבַּזּוֹת וְלִלְקוֹת מִבָּנַי אַתְּ הוֹלֵךְ בִּשְׁלִיחוּתִי, וְאִם לָאו אֵין אַתָּה הוֹלֵךְ בִּשְׁלִיחוּתִי, אָמַר לוֹ עַל מְנָת כֵּן (ישעיה נ, ו): גֵּוִי נָתַתִּי לְמַכִּים וּלְחָיַי לְמֹרְטִים, וְאֵינִי כְּדַאי לֵילֵךְ בִּשְׁלִיחוּת אֵצֶל בָּנֶיךָ, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יְשַׁעְיָה אָהַבְתָּ צֶדֶק, אָהַבְתָּ לְצַדֵּק אֶת בָּנַי, וַתִּשְׂנָא רֶשַׁע, שֶׁשָּׂנֵאתָ מִלְּחַיְּבָן, עַל כֵּן מְשָׁחֲךָ אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֶיךָ, מַהוּ מֵחֲבֵרֶיךָ, אָמַר לוֹ חַיֶּיךָ כָּל הַנְּבִיאִים קִבְּלוּ נְבוּאוֹת נָבִיא מִן נָבִיא (במדבר יא, כה): וַיָּאצֶל מִן הָרוּחַ אֲשֶׁר עָלָיו וגו' (מלכים ב ב, טו): וַיֹּאמְרוּ נָחָה רוּחַ אֵלִיָּהוּ עַל אֱלִישָׁע, אֲבָל אַתְּ מִפִּי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא (ישעיה סא, א): רוּחַ ה' אֱלֹהִים עָלָי יַעַן מָשַׁח וגו', חַיֶּיךָ שֶׁכָּל הַנְּבִיאִים מִתְנַבְּאִים נְבוּאוֹת פְּשׁוּטוֹת וְאַתְּ נֶחָמוֹת כְּפוּלוֹת (ישעיה נא, ט): עוּרִי עוּרִי, (ישעיה נא, יז): הִתְעוֹרְרִי הִתְעוֹרְרִי, (ישעיה סא, י): שׂוֹשׂ אָשִׂישׂ, (ישעיה נא, יב): אָנֹכִי אָנֹכִי הוּא מְנַחֶמְכֶם, (ישעיה מ, א): נַחֲמוּ נַחֲמוּ.
Rabbi Azarya in the name of Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon interpreted the verse regarding Isaiah. Isaiah said: ‘I was at leisure in my study hall, and I heard the voice of the Holy One blessed be He saying: “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8). [God said:] I sent Micah, and they were striking him on his cheek. That is what is written: “With a rod they strike on the cheek” (Micah 4:14). I sent Amos and they would call him stutterer, as Rabbi Pinḥas said: Why was his name called Amos? It was because he was cumbrous [amus] of tongue. Now, “whom shall I send and who will go for us?” “I said: Here I am, send me” (Isaiah 6:8).
The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Isaiah, My children, they are troublesome and insubordinate. If you accept upon yourself to be demeaned and to be stricken by My children, you will go on My mission, but if not, you will not go on My mission.’ He said to Him: ‘[I am willing to accept] this condition; “I gave my body to those who smite and my cheeks to those who pluck” (Isaiah 50:6). But I am not worthy to go on a mission to Your children.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Isaiah, “you love righteousness,” you love to vindicate My children; “and detest wickedness,” you detest condemning them. “Therefore, God your God, has anointed you.”’ What is “over your counterparts”? He said to him: ‘As you live, all the prophets received their prophetic capacity from a prophet: “He drew from the spirit that was upon him [and placed it upon the seventy elders…they prophesied]” (Numbers 11:25). “They said: The spirit of Elijah has rested upon Elisha” (II Kings 2:15). But you, from the mouth of the Holy One blessed be He: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed…” (Isaiah 61:1). As you live, all the prophets prophesy simple prophecies, but you [will receive] compound prophecies of consolation: “Awaken, awaken, [clothe yourself with splendor…]” (Isaiah 51:9), “awaken yourself, awaken yourself, [arise, O Jerusalem…]” (Isaiah 51:17), “I will be gladdened [sos asis]” (Isaiah 61:10), “I, I [am He who comforts you…]” (Isaiah 51:12), “Comfort, comfort [My people, says your God]”’ (Isaiah 40:1).
רַבִּי בֶּרֶכְיָה בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר כַּהֲנָא פָּתַר קְרָיָא בְּאַהֲרֹן, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁעָשׂוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹתוֹ מַעֲשֶׂה, בַּתְּחִלָּה הָלְכוּ אֵצֶל חוּר, אָמְרוּ לוֹ (שמות לב, א): קוּם עֲשֵׂה לָנוּ אֱלֹהִים, כֵּיוָן שֶׁלֹּא שָׁמַע לָהֶן עָמְדוּ עָלָיו וַהֲרָגוּהוּ, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (ירמיה ב, לד): גַּם בִּכְנָפַיִךְ נִמְצְאוּ דַּם וגו', וְזֶהוּ דָּמוֹ שֶׁל חוּר, (ירמיה ב, לד): לֹא בַמַּחְתֶּרֶת מְצָאתִים כִּי עַל כָּל אֵלֶּה, עַל אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ (שמות לב, ד): אֵלֶּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְאַחַר כָּךְ הָלְכוּ אֵצֶל אַהֲרֹן, אָמְרוּ לוֹ: קוּם עֲשֵׂה לָנוּ אֱלֹהִים, כֵּיוָן שֶׁשָּׁמַע אַהֲרֹן כֵּן מִיָּד נִתְיָרֵא, הֲדָא הוּא דִּכְתִיב (שמות לב, ה): וַיַּרְא אַהֲרֹן וַיִּבֶן מִזְבֵּחַ לְפָנָיו, נִתְיָרֵא מֵהַזָּבוּחַ לְפָנָיו, אָמַר אַהֲרֹן מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה הֲרֵי הָרְגוּ אֶת חוּר שֶׁהָיָה נָבִיא, עַכְשָׁיו אִם הוֹרְגִים אוֹתִי שֶׁאֲנִי כֹּהֵן מִתְקַיֵּם עֲלֵיהֶם הַמִּקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב (איכה ב, כ): אִם יֵהָרֵג בְּמִקְדַּשׁ ה' כֹּהֵן וְנָבִיא, וּמִיָּד הֵם גּוֹלִין. דָּבָר אַחֵר, וַיַּרְא אַהֲרֹן, מָה רָאָה אִם בּוֹנִין הֵם אוֹתוֹ, זֶה מֵבִיא צְרוֹר וְזֶה אֶבֶן וְנִמְצֵאת מְלַאכְתָּם כָּלָה בְּבַת אַחַת, מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁאֲנִי בּוֹנֶה אוֹתוֹ, אֲנִי מִתְעַצֵּל בִּמְלַאכְתִּי וְרַבֵּינוּ משֶׁה יוֹרֵד וּמַעֲבִירָהּ לָעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. וּמִתּוֹךְ שֶׁאֲנִי בּוֹנֶה אוֹתוֹ אֲנִי בּוֹנֶה אוֹתוֹ בִּשְׁמוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, הֲדָא הוּא דִּכְתִיב (שמות לב, ה): וַיִּקְרָא אַהֲרֹן וַיֹּאמַר חַג לַה' מָחָר, חַג לָעֵגֶל מָחָר אֵין כְּתִיב כָּאן, אֶלָּא חַג לַה' מָחָר, דָּבָר אַחֵר, וַיַּרְא אַהֲרֹן, מָה רָאָה, אָמַר אַהֲרֹן אִם בּוֹנִין הֵן אוֹתוֹ, הַסִּרְחוֹן נִתְלָה בָּהֶן, מוּטָב שֶׁיִּתָּלֶה הַסִּרְחוֹן בִּי וְלֹא בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר יוּדָן בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי אַבָּא מָשָׁל לְבֶן מְלָכִים שֶׁנִּתְגָּאֶה לִבּוֹ עָלָיו וְלָקַח אֶת הַסַּיִּף לַחְתֹּךְ אֶת אָבִיו, אָמַר לוֹ פַּדְגוֹגוֹ אַל תְּיַגַּע אֶת עַצְמְךָ תֵּן לִי וַאֲנִי חוֹתֵךְ, הֵצִיץ הַמֶּלֶךְ עָלָיו אָמַר לוֹ יוֹדֵעַ אֲנִי לְהֵיכָן הָיְתָה כַּוָּנָתְךָ, מוּטָב שֶׁיִּתָּלֶה הַסִּרְחוֹן בְּךָ וְלֹא בִּבְנִי, חַיֶּיךָ מִן פָּלָטִין דִּידִי לֵית אַתְּ זָיַיע וּמוֹתַר פָּתוֹרִי אַתְּ אָכֵיל, עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע אֲנוֹנָס אַתְּ נָסֵיב. כָּךְ מִן פָּלָטִין דִּילִי לֵית אַתְּ זָיַיע (ויקרא כא, יב): וּמִן הַמִּקְדָּשׁ לֹא יֵצֵא, וּמוֹתַר פָּתוֹרִי אַתְּ אָכֵיל, (ויקרא ב, ג): וְהַנּוֹתֶרֶת מִן הַמִּנְחָה, עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה אֲנוֹנָס אַתְּ נָסֵיב, אֵלּוּ עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע מַתְּנוֹת כְּהֻנָּה שֶׁנִּתְּנוּה לְאַהֲרֹן וּלְבָנָיו. אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְאַהֲרֹן, אָהַבְתָּ צֶדֶק, אָהַבְתָּ לְצַדֵּק אֶת בָּנַי, וְשָׂנֵאתָ מִלְּחַיְבָן, עַל כֵּן מְשָׁחֲךָ אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֶיךָ, אָמַר לוֹ חַיֶּיךָ שֶׁמִּכָּל שִׁבְטוֹ שֶׁל לֵוִי לֹא נִבְחַר לִכְהֻנָּה גְדוֹלָה אֶלָּא אַתָּה (ויקרא ח, ב): קַח אֶת אַהֲרֹן וְאֶת בָּנָיו אִתּוֹ.
Rabbi Berekhya in the name of Rabbi Abba bar Kahana interpreted the verse regarding Aaron. When Israel performed that act,1The sin of the Golden Calf. initially they approached Ḥur. They said to him: ‘Rise, craft for us a god.’ When he did not heed them, they stood against him and killed him. That is what is written: “Moreover, on the edge of your garments the blood…is found” (Jeremiah 2:34); this is the blood of Ḥur. “You did not find it while excavating; rather on all these [eleh]” (Jeremiah 2:34), because they committed [the sin of declaring]: “This is [eleh] your god, Israel” (Exodus 32:4). Afterward, they approached Aaron. They said to him: “Rise, craft for us a god” (Exodus 32:1). When Aaron heard this, he was immediately afraid. That is what is written: “Aaron saw [vayar] and he built an altar [mizbe’aḥ] before him” (Exodus 32:5); he was afraid [nityareh] due to the one slaughtered [mizavuaḥ] before him. Aaron said: What shall I do? They killed Ḥur, who was a prophet. Now, if they kill me, as I am a priest, the verse that is written will be realized in their regard: “If a priest and a prophet will be killed in the Sanctuary of the Lord” (Lamentations 2:20), and they will be immediately exiled.
Another matter, “Aaron saw” – what did he see? If they build it, this one will bring a pebble and this one will bring a stone and their labor will be completed all at once. But if I build it, I will be indolent in my labor, and our master, Moses, will descend and do away with the idol. And, since I am building it, I will build it in the name of the Holy One blessed be He. That is what is written: “Aaron proclaimed and said: A festival to the Lord tomorrow” (Exodus 32:5). “A festival to the calf tomorrow” is not written here, but rather, “a festival to the Lord tomorrow.”
Another matter, “Aaron saw” – what did he see? Aaron said: If they build it, the corruption will be ascribed to them. It is preferable that the corruption be ascribed to me and not to Israel. Rabbi Abba bar Yudan in the name of Rabbi Abba: This is analogous to the son of kings whose heart became haughty and he took the sword to slash his father. His teacher said to him: ‘Do not exert yourself. Give it to me and I will slash.’ The king peered at him and said to him: ‘I know what your intentions were. It is preferable that the corruption be attributed to you and not to my son. As you live, you will not move from my palace, you shall partake of the remnants of my table, and you shall receive twenty-four stipends.’ So too, ‘you will not move from my palace’; “he shall not emerge from the Sanctuary” (Leviticus 21:12). ‘You shall partake of the remnants of my table’; “The remnant of the meal offering [shall be for Aaron and for his sons]” (Leviticus 2:3). ‘And you shall receive twenty-four stipends’; these are the twenty-four gifts of the priesthood that were given to Aaron and his sons. The Holy One blessed be He said to Aaron: ‘“You love righteousness,” you love to vindicate My children and detest condemning them. “Therefore, God your God, has anointed you.”’ He said to him: ‘As you live, from the entire tribe of Levi, you alone have been selected for the High Priesthood: “Take Aaron. and his sons with him”’ (Leviticus 8:2).
דָּבָר אַחֵר, קַח אֶת אַהֲרֹן וְאֶת בָּנָיו אִתּוֹ, זֶהוּ שֶׁאָמַר הַכָּתוּב (משלי כד, יא): הַצֵּל לְקֻחִים לַמָּוֶת וּמָטִים לַהֶרֶג וגו', אַנְטוֹנִינוּס סָלַק לְגַבֵּי רַבִּי אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ דְּיָתֵיב וְתַלְמִידָיו קַמֵּיהּ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ אִינוּן דְּאַתְּ מַגְלֵיג עֲלֵיהוֹן, אָמַר לֵיהּ אִין, זְעֵירָא דְּאִית בְּהוֹן מְחַיֵּה מֵתִין. בָּתַר יוֹמִין נָטָה עַבְדוֹ שֶׁל אַנְטוֹנִינוּס לְמִיתָה שְׁלַח וַאֲמַר שְׁלַח לִי חַד מִן תַּלְמִידָךְ דְּהוּא מְחַיֶּה לִי הָדֵין מִיתָא, שָׁלַח לֵיהּ חַד מִן תַּלְמִידוֹי וְאִית דְּאָמְרֵי רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן חֲלַפְתָּא הֲוָה, אָזֵיל אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ רְבִיעַ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ מָה אַתְּ רְבִיעַ וּמָרָךְ קָאֵים עַל רַגְלֵיהּ, מִיָּד נִזְדַּעֲזַע וְקָם לֵיהּ. דָּבָר אַחֵר, הַצֵּל לְקֻחִים לַמָּוֶת, אֵלּוּ בָנָיו שֶׁל אַהֲרֹן, וּמָטִים לַהֶרֶג אִם תַּחְשׂוֹךְ, אֵלּוּ בָנָיו שֶׁל אַהֲרֹן שֶׁהָיוּ בְּצַד הַמִּיתָה, אָמַר רַב חָנָן כְּתִיב (שמות לב, ד): וַיִּקַּח מִיָּדָם וַיָּצַר אֹתוֹ בַּחֶרֶט, תָּבוֹא לְקִיחָה שֶׁל כָּאן וּתְכַפֵּר עַל לְקִיחָה שֶׁלְּהַלָּן, מֵתוּ שְׁנַיִם וְנִשְׁאֲרוּ שְׁנַיִם, קַח אֶת אַהֲרֹן וְאֶת בָּנָיו.
Another matter, “Take Aaron, and his sons with him” – that is what the verse said: “Deliver those taken to death; [if only you would save] those likely to be killed” (Proverbs 24:11). Antoninus ascended to Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi]. He found Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] sitting with his disciples before him. He said to him: ‘Are these the ones of whom you boast?’ He said to him: ‘Yes. The least of them can revive the dead.’ Some time later, a servant of Antoninus was dying. He sent to [Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi] and said: ‘Send one of your disciples, so he will revive this dead person for me.’ He sent him one of his disciples, some say it was Rabbi Shimon ben Ḥalafta. He came and found [the servant] recumbent. He said to him: ‘Why are you recumbent while your master is standing on his feet?’ He immediately shook violently and stood up.2Although he had been on his deathbed, he was granted renewed life and vigor.
Another matter, “deliver those taken to death” (Proverbs 24:11), these are the sons of Aaron. “If only you would save those likely to be killed” (Proverbs 24:11), these are the sons of Aaron who were slated for death. Rav Ḥanan said: It is written: “He took it from their hands and crafted it with a graving tool” (Exodus 32:4). Let the taking here come and rectify the taking there. Two died and two remained; “take Aaron, and his sons.”3Aaron’s selection along with his sons, as expressed in this verse, partially rectified Aaron’s sin of taking the tool and fashioning the Golden Calf (see Rabbi David Luria).
רַבִּי יְהוּדָה וְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר תְּשׁוּבָה עוֹשָׂה מֶחֱצָה וּתְפִלָּה עוֹשָׂה הַכֹּל, רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אָמַר תְּשׁוּבָה עָשְׂתָה אֶת הַכֹּל וּתְפִלָּה עָשְׂתָה מֶחֱצָה. עַל דַּעְתֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה בַּר רַבִּי תְּשׁוּבָה עוֹשָׂה מֶחֱצָה, מִמִּי אַתְּ לָמֵד מִקַּיִן שֶׁנִּגְזְרָה עָלָיו גְּזֵרָה כֵּיוָן שֶׁעָשָׂה תְּשׁוּבָה נִמְנַע מִמֶּנּוּ חֲצִי גְזֵרָה, וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁעָשָׂה תְּשׁוּבָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית ד, יג): וַיֹּאמֶר קַיִן אֶל ה' גָּדוֹל עֲוֹנִי מִנְשׂוֹא, וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁנִּמְנַע מִמֶּנּוּ חֲצִי הַגְּזֵרָה, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (בראשית ד, טז): וַיֵּצֵא קַיִן מִלִּפְנֵי ה' וַיֵּשֶׁב בְּאֶרֶץ נוֹד קִדְמַת עֵדֶן, נָע וָנָד אֵין כְּתִיב אֶלָא בְּאֶרֶץ נוֹד קִדְמַת עֵדֶן. דָּבָר אַחֵר, וַיֵּצֵא קַיִן, מֵהֵיכָן יָצָא רַבִּי יוּדָן בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי אַיְבוּ אָמַר הִפְשִׁיל בְּגָדָיו לַאֲחוֹרָיו וְיָצָא כְּגוֹנֵב דַּעַת הָעֶלְיוֹנָה. רַבִּי בֶּרֶכְיָה בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי אִלְעָאי בַּר שְׁמַעְיָא אָמַר יָצָא כְּמַעֲרִים וְכִמְרַמֶּה בְּבוֹרְאוֹ. רַב הוּנָא בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר יָצָא שָׂמֵחַ, כְּמָה דְתֵימַר (שמות ד, יד): וְגַם הִנֵּה הוּא יֹצֵא לִקְרָאתֶךָ וְרָאֲךָ וְשָׂמַח, כֵּיוָן שֶׁיָּצָא פָּגַע בּוֹ אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן אָמַר לוֹ מַה נַּעֲשָׂה בְּדִינֶךָ, אָמַר לוֹ עָשִׂיתִי תְּשׁוּבָה וְנִתְפַּשַׁרְתִּי, כֵּיוָן שֶׁשָּׁמַע אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן כָּךְ הִתְחִיל טוֹפֵחַ עַל פָּנָיו, אָמַר לוֹ כָּל כָּךְ הִיא כֹּחָהּ שֶׁל תְּשׁוּבָה וְלֹא הָיִיתִי יוֹדֵעַ, בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה אָמַר אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן (תהלים צב, א): מִזְמוֹר שִׁיר לְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת. אָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי הַמִּזְמוֹר הַזֶּה אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן אֲמָרוֹ. עַל דַּעְתֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה בְּרַבִּי דְּאָמַר תְּפִלָּה עָשְׂתָה אֶת הַכֹּל, מִמִּי אַתְּ לָמֵד מֵחִזְקִיָּה, חִזְקִיָּה עִקַּר מַלְכוּתוֹ לֹא הָיְתָה אֶלָּא אַרְבַּע עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (ישעיה לו, א): וַיְהִי בְּאַרְבַּע עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה לַמֶּלֶךְ חִזְקִיָּהוּ, וְכֵיוָן שֶׁהִתְפַּלֵּל הוֹסִיפוּ לוֹ חֲמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה לח, ה): הִנְנִי יוֹסִיף עַל יָמֶיךָ חֲמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה. עַל דַּעְתֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי דְּאָמַר תְּשׁוּבָה עָשְׂתָה אֶת הַכֹּל, מִמִּי אַתְּ לָמֵד מֵאַנְשֵׁי עֲנָתוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ירמיה יא, כב): כֹּה אָמַר ה' וגו' הַבַּחוּרִים יָמֻתוּ בַחֶרֶב, וְכֵיוָן שֶׁעָשׂוּ תְּשׁוּבָה זָכוּ לְהִתְיַחֵס, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (נחמיה ז, כז): אַנְשֵׁי עֲנָתוֹת מֵאָה עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁמֹנָה, וְאִם אֵין לְךָ לִלְמֹד מֵאַנְשֵׁי עֲנָתוֹת לְמַד מִיכָנְיָהוּ (ירמיה כב, כח): הַעֶצֶב נִבְזֶה נָפוּץ וגו'. רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר כַּהֲנָא אָמַר כָּעֶצֶם הַזֶּה שֶׁל מֹחַ שֶׁמִּשֶּׁמְנַפְּצוֹ אֵין בּוֹ מְאוּמָה, רַבִּי חֶלְבּוֹ אָמַר כַּחוֹתָל שֶׁל תְּמָרָה שֶׁכְּשֶׁאַתָּה מְנַעֲרוֹ אֵין בּוֹ מְאֻמָּה, (נחמיה ז, כז) אִם כְּלִי אֵין חֵפֶץ בּוֹ, רַבִּי חָמָא בַּר חֲנִינָא אָמַר כַּכַּדִּין שֶׁל מֵי רַגְלַיִם, רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָן אָמַר כַּכַּדִין שֶׁל מְקִיזֵי דָם. אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא מִלְּתָא הָכָא שְׁמָעִית מִן רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר רַבִּי יִצְחָק דַּהֲוָה דָּרִישׁ הָכָא, וְלֵית אֲנָא יָדַע מַהוּ, אָמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי אַחָא אֲרִיכָא דִּלְמָא דָא הִיא (נחמיה ז, ל): כִּתְבוּ אֶת הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה עֲרִירִי גֶּבֶר לֹא יִצְלַח בְּיָמָיו, אָמַר לֵיהּ הִין בְּיָמָיו אֵינוֹ מַצְלִיחַ בִּימֵי בְּנוֹ מַצְלִיחַ. רַבִּי אַחָא וְרַבִּי אָבִין בַּר בִּנְיָמִין בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי אַבָּא, גָּדוֹל הוּא כֹּחָהּ שֶׁל תְּשׁוּבָה שֶׁמְבַטֶּלֶת גְּזֵרָה וּמְבַטֶּלֶת שְׁבוּעָה, שְׁבוּעָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (נחמיה כב, כד): חַי אָנִי נְאֻם ה' כִּי אִם יִהְיֶה כָּנְיָהוּ בֶן יְהוֹיָקִים וגו', וּמְבַטֶּלֶת גְּזֵרָה, (נחמיה כב, ל): כֹּה אָמַר ה' כִּתְבוּ אֶת הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה עֲרִירִי, וּכְתִיב (דברי הימים א ג, יז): וּבְנֵי יְכָנְיָה אַסִּר [בנו] שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל בְּנוֹ, אַסִּר, שֶׁהָיָה בְּבֵית הָאֲסוּרִים, שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל בְּנוֹ, שֶׁמִּמֶּנּוּ הוּשְׁתְּלָה מַלְכוּת בֵּית דָּוִד. אָמַר רַבִּי תַּנְחוּם בְּרַבִּי יִרְמְיָה אַסִּר זֶה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁאָסַר אֶת עַצְמוֹ בִּשְׁבוּעָה, שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל, שֶׁשָּׁאַל אֵל לְבֵית דִּינוֹ שֶׁל מַעְלָה עַל נִדְרוֹ. עַל דַּעְתֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי דְּאָמַר תְּפִלָּה עָשְׂתָה מֶחֱצָה, מִמִי אַתָּה לָמֵד מֵאַהֲרֹן, שֶׁבַּתְּחִלָּה נִגְזְרָה גְזֵרָה עָלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ט, כ): וּבְאַהֲרֹן הִתְאַנַּף ה' מְאֹד לְהַשְׁמִידוֹ, אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ דְּסִכְנִין בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי לֵוִי אֵין הַשְׁמָדָה אֶלָּא כִּלּוּי בָּנִים, כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר (עמוס ב, ט): וָאַשְׁמִיד פִּרְיוֹ מִמַּעַל וְשָׁרָשָׁיו מִתָּחַת, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִתְפַּלֵּל משֶׁה עָלָיו נִמְנְעָה מִמֶּנּוּ חֲצִי הַגְּזֵרָה, מֵתוּ שְׁנַיִם וְנִשְׁתַּיְּירוּ שְׁנַיִם, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (ויקרא ח, כ): קַח אֶת אַהֲרֹן וְאֶת בָּנָיו אִתּוֹ.
Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, Rabbi Yehuda says: Repentance accomplishes half and prayer accomplishes it all.4Repentance can partially reverse a harsh heavenly decree against a person, and prayer can reverse it in its entirety. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Repentance accomplishes it all and prayer accomplishes half. According to Rabbi Yehuda bar Rabbi, repentance accomplishes half. From whom do you derive it? It is from Cain. An edict was decreed against him. Once he repented, half of the edict was withheld from him. From where is it derived that he repented? As it is stated: “Cain said to the Lord: My iniquity is too great to bear” (Genesis 4:13). From where is it derived that half the edict was withheld from him? That is what is written: “Cain departed from the presence of the Lord, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden” (Genesis 4:16). “Restless and itinerant” (Genesis 4:14) is not written here, but rather, “in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”5The edict was that he would be exiled, would never find respite in one place and would continuously wander. After repenting, although he was exiled, he did not continuously wander.
Another matter, “Cain departed” – from where did he depart? Rabbi Yudan said in the name of Rabbi Aivu: He flung his garments behind him and departed, as one who deceives the One On High.6He flung his garments over his shoulder as though intending to begin his ongoing wandering. In reality though, he had no intention of doing so. Rabbi Berekhya said in the name of Rabbi Ilai bar Shemaya: He departed like one who is deceiving and misleading his Creator.7According to both these opinions, Cain did not repent.
Rabbi Huna said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina bar Yitzḥak: He departed joyously, just as it says: “Behold, he, too, is departing to meet you and he will see you and rejoice in his heart” (Exodus 4:14). When he departed, he encountered Adam the first man. [Adam] said to him: ‘What happened in your trial?’ He said: ‘I repented and was granted a compromise.’ When Adam the first man heard this, he began slapping his face. He said to him: ‘The power of repentance is so great and I did not know?’ At that moment, Adam the first man recited: “A psalm, a song for the Sabbath day” (Psalms 92:1).8Shabbat is expounded to mean the day of repentance [teshuva]. The following verse: “It is good to praise [lehodot] to the Lord,”– lehodot is expounded to mean to recite confession [vidui]. Rabbi Levi said: This psalm, Adam the first man recited it.
According to the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi, who said: Prayer accomplishes it all, from whom do you derive it? It is from Hezekiah. Hezekiah’s primary reign was only fourteen years. That is what is written: “It was in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah” (Isaiah 36:1).9As described in the continuation of the narrative (Isaiah chapter 38), Hezekiah became gravely ill at that time and God stated that he would die. Due to his prayer, fifteen years were added for him, as it is stated: “I am adding fifteen years to your days” (Isaiah 38:5).
According to the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, who said that repentance accomplishes it all, from whom do you derive it? It is from the people of Anatot, as it is stated: “Therefore, so said the Lord…the young men will die by the sword” (Jeremiah 11:22). Since they repented, they were privileged to be recorded in the genealogical record,10This is the record of those returning to Zion from Babylon. Since they were listed, it is clear that they had not been killed previously. as it is stated: “The people of Anatot, one hundred and twenty-eight” (Nehemiah 7:27). And if you do not derive it from the people of Anatot, derive it from Konya: “Is this [man Konya] a spurned, broken idol [etzev]? [Is he an unwanted vessel? Why have they been cast, he and his descendants, and thrown into the land that they did not know?]” (Jeremiah 22:28). Rabbi Abba said: Like a bone with marrow, that once it is shattered nothing of value remains.11All the bone marrow has been removed. Rabbi Ḥelbo said: Like the wicker basket of dates that when you empty it, nothing of value remains, “is he an unwanted vessel?” Rabbi Ḥama bar Ḥanina said: Like chamber pots. Rabbi Shmuel bar Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Like the receptacles of bloodletters.
Rabbi Zeira said: ‘I heard something on this from Rabbi Shmuel bar Rabbi Yitzḥak, who would expound about this, but I do not know what it was.’ Rabbi Aḥa Arikha said: ‘Perhaps it was this: “Write this man childless, a man who will not succeed in his days”’ (Jeremiah 22:30). He said to him: ‘Yes, in his days he will not succeed, but he will succeed in the days of his son.’12Although he was initially decreed childless, it is inferred from the conclusion of the verse – “for no man of his offspring shall be accepted to sit on the throne of David and to rule again in Judah” – that he would have children. Rabbi Aḥa and Rabbi Avin bar Binyamin in the name of Rabbi Abba: Great is the power of repentance, and it voids an edict and voids an oath. An oath, as it is stated: “As I live, the utterance of the Lord, for if Konya, son of Yehoyakim, [king of Judah, would be a signet ring upon My right hand, then from there I would sever you]” (Jeremiah 22:24). It voids an edict: “Write this man childless, a man who will not succeed in his days,” and it is written: “The sons of Konya, Asir, She’altiel his son” (I Chronicles 3:17); Asir, because he was in prison [beit haasurim]; She’altiel, because the kingdom of the house of David was planted [hushtela] from him.13The verse is interpreted to mean that Konya, also called Asir, begot a child, She’altiel, while imprisoned. Rabbi Tanḥum ben Rabbi Yirmeya said: Asir, this is the Holy One blessed be He, who bound Himself with an oath. She’altiel, because God consulted with His supernal court to annul His oath.
According to the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, who said that prayer accomplishes half, from whom do you derive it? It is from Aaron, as initially an edict was decreed against him, as it is stated: “The Lord was very angry with Aaron to destroy him [and I prayed for Aaron, too, at that time]” (Deuteronomy 9:20). Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin said in the name of Rabbi Levi: Destruction is nothing other than the eradication of children, just as it says: “I destroyed his fruit from above and his roots from below” (Amos 2:9). Since Moses prayed on his behalf, half the edict was withheld from him; two [of Aarons sons] died and two remained. That is what is written: “Take Aaron, and his sons with him.”
וְאֵת הַבְּגָדִים (ויקרא ח, ב), אָמַר רַבִּי סִימוֹן כְּשֵׁם שֶׁהַקָּרְבָּנוֹת מְכַפְּרִים כָּךְ הַבְּגָדִים מְכַפְּרִים, דִּתְנַן כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל מְשַׁמֵּשׁ בִּשְׁמֹנָה בְּגָדִים וְהַהֶדְיוֹט בְּאַרְבָּעָה, בְּכֻתֹּנֶת וּבְמִכְנָסַיִם בְּמִצְנֶפֶת וּבְאַבְנֵט, מוֹסִיף עָלָיו כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל חשֶׁן וְאֵפוֹד וּמְעִיל וְצִיץ, הַכֻּתֹּנֶת לְכַפֵּר עַל לְבוּשֵׁי כִּלְאַיִם, כְּמָה דְתֵימָא (בראשית לז, ג): וְעָשָׂה לוֹ כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּים. מִכְנָסַיִם לְכַפֵּר עַל גִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת, כְּמָה דְתֵימַר (שמות כח, מב): וַעֲשֵׂה לָהֶם מִכְנְסֵי בָד לְכַסּוֹת בְּשַׂר עֶרְוָה. מִצְנֶפֶת לְכַפֵּר עַל גַּסּוּת הָרוּחַ, הֵיךְ כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר (שמות כט, ו): וְשַׂמְתָּ הַמִּצְנֶפֶת עַל רֹאשׁוֹ. אַבְנֵט, מַאן דְּאָמַר עַל עֻקְמָנִין שֶׁבַּלֵב, וּמַאן דְּאָמַר עַל הַגַּנָּבִים. אָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי אַבְנֵט שְׁלשִׁים וּשְׁתַּיִם אַמָּה הָיָה בוֹ וְעוֹקְמוֹ לְפָנָיו וּלְאַחֲרָיו, לְמַאן דְּאָמַר עַל הָעֻקְמָנִין שֶׁבַּלֵּב, וּמַאן דְּאָמַר עַל הַגַּנָּבִים לְפִי שֶׁהָיָה חָלוּל כְּנֶגֶד הַגַּנָּבִים שֶׁעוֹשִׂים מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם בַּסֵּתֶר. חשֶׁן מְכַפֵּר עַל מַטֵּי דִינִין, הֵכְמָא דְתֵימַר (שמות כח, ל): וְנָתַתָּ אֶל חשֶׁן הַמִּשְׁפָּט. אֵפוֹד לְכַפֵּר עַל עוֹבְדֵי עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (הושע ג, ד): וְאֵין אֵפוֹד וּתְרָפִים. מְעִיל, רַבִּי סִימוֹן בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי נָתָן אָמַר שְׁנֵי דְבָרִים אֵין לָהֶם כַּפָּרָה וְנָתְנָה לָהֶן תּוֹרָה כַּפָּרָה, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: לָשׁוֹן הָרָע וְהוֹרֵג נֶפֶשׁ בִּשְׁגָגָה, לָשׁוֹן הָרָע אֵין לוֹ כַּפָּרָה, וְנָתְנָה לוֹ תּוֹרָה כַּפָּרָה, בַּמֶּה יִתְכַּפֶּר לוֹ, בְּזַגֵּי הַמְעִיל, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמות כח, לד): פַּעֲמֹן זָהָב וְרִמּוֹן פַּעֲמֹן זָהָב וְרִמּוֹן. (שמות כח, לה): וְהָיָה עַל אַהֲרֹן לְשָׁרֵת וְנִשְׁמַע קוֹלוֹ, אָמַר יָבוֹא הַקּוֹל וִיכַפֵּר עַל הַקּוֹל. הַהוֹרֵג נֶפֶשׁ בִּשְׁגָגָה אֵין לוֹ כַּפָּרָה וְנָתְנָה לוֹ תּוֹרָה כַּפָּרָה, בַּמֶּה יִתְכַּפֵּר לוֹ בְּמִיתַת כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (במדבר לה, כח): וְאַחֲרֵי מוֹת הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדֹל. צִיץ מַאן דְּאָמַר עַל עַזֵּי פָנִים, מַאן דְּאָמַר עַל הַמְגַדְּפִים, מַאן דְּאָמַר עַל עַזֵּי פָנִים, מִבְּנוֹת צִיּוֹן, כָּאן כְּתִיב (שמות כח, לח): וְהָיָה עַל מֵצַח אַהֲרֹן, וּלְהַלָּן כְּתִיב (ירמיה ג, ג): וּמֵצַח אִשָּׁה זוֹנָה הָיָה לָךְ. וּמַאן דְּאָמַר עַל מְגַדְּפִים, מִגָּלְיַת, כָּאן כְּתִיב (שמות כח, לח): וְהָיָה עַל מִצְחוֹ תָּמִיד, וּלְהַלָּן כְּתִיב (שמואל א יז, מט): וַתִּטְבַּע הָאֶבֶן בְּמִצְחוֹ.
“And the vestments,” Rabbi Simon says: Just as the offerings atone, so do the vestments atone, as it is taught: The High Priest serves in eight vestments, and the common priest in four: In a tunic, trousers, a mitre, and a belt. The High Priest adds upon his: A breastplate, an ephod, a robe, and a frontlet.14Mishna Yoma 7:5.
The tunic is to atone for those wearing diverse kinds,15This refers to the prohibition of wearing a garment made from wool and linen. just as it says: “He made for him a fine tunic” (Genesis 37:3).16Some say that Joseph’s tunic was linen adorned with wool. The priest’s tunic is just linen to atone for those who adorn their linen with wool. The trousers are to atone for forbidden sexual relations, just as it says: “Make them linen trousers to cover the flesh of their nakedness” (Exodus 28:42). The mitre is to atone for haughtiness, just as it says: “You shall place the mitre on his head” (Exodus 29:6). The belt, there is one who says [it atones] for the crookedness of the heart, and there is one who says [it atones] for the thieves. Rabbi Levi said: The belt was thirty-two cubits and he would wind it crookedly before him and behind him, according to the one who said for the crookedness [akmanin] of the heart.17The thirty-two cubits are because the numerical value of the word lev, heart, is thirty-two. According to the one who said for the thieves, it is because it was hollow, corresponding to thieves who perform their deeds clandestinely.
The breastplate atones for those who subvert justice, just as it says: “The breastplate of justice” (Exodus 28:30). The ephod is to atone for idolaters, as it is stated: “No ephod or household idols” (Hosea 3:4).
The robe, Rabbi Simon said in the name of Rabbi Natan: There are two matters for which there is no atonement, but the Torah provided atonement for them,18There is no sacrificial offering that provides atonement, but the Torah provides another means of atonement (Maharzu, based on Arakhin 16a). and these are: Evil speech and an unwitting murderer. Evil speech has no atonement but the Torah provided atonement for it. With what will it be atoned? With the bells on the robe. That is what is written: “A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate” (Exodus 28:34). “It shall be on Aaron to serve and its sound shall be heard” (Exodus 28:35). [God] said: Let the sound come and atone for the sound. The unwitting murderer has no atonement but the Torah provided atonement for him. With what will he be atoned? With the death of the High Priest. That is what is written: “After the death of the High Priest, [the murderer shall return to the land of his ancestral holding]” (Numbers 35:28).
The frontlet, there is one who says [it provides atonement] for the impudent and there is one who says [it provides atonement] for the blasphemers. The one who says for the impudent, it is from the daughters of Zion. Here it is written: “It shall be on the forehead [metzaḥ] of Aaron” (Exodus 28:38), and there it is written: “But you had the impudence [metzaḥ] of a harlot” (Jeremiah 3:3). The one who said for the blasphemers, it is from Goliath.19The verse says of Goliath: “He has blasphemed the armies of the living God” (I Samuel 17:26). Here it is written: “It shall be on his forehead always” (Exodus 28:38), and there it is written: “It struck the Philistine on his forehead” (I Samuel 17:49).
וַיִּפֹּל עַל פָּנָיו אָרְצָה (שמואל א יז, מט), לָמָּה עַל פָּנָיו, מִתְּחִלָּה אַתָּה דוֹרֵשׁ כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִצְטָעֵר אוֹתוֹ צַדִּיק שֵׁשׁ אַמּוֹת וָזָרֶת, דָּבָר אַחֵר, לָמָּה עַל פָּנָיו, עַל שׁוּם דָּגוֹן אֱלֹהָיו שֶׁהָיָה נָתוּן עַל לִבּוֹ, הֵכְמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר (ויקרא כו, ל): וְנָתַתִּי אֶת פִּגְרֵיכֶם עַל פִּגְרֵי גִלוּלֵיכֶם. דָּבָר אַחֵר, לָמָה עַל פָּנָיו, הַפֶּה שֶׁאָמַר וְחֵרֵף וְגִדֵּף יִנָּתֵן בֶּעָפָר, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (איוב מ, יג): טָמְנֵם בֶּעָפָר יָחַד פְּנֵיהֶם חֲבשׁ בַּטָּמוּן. דָּבָר אַחֵר, לָמָּה עַל פָּנָיו, עַל שׁוּם (דברים לג, כט): וְיִכָּחֲשׁוּ אֹיְבֶיךָ לָךְ וְאַתָּה עַל בָּמוֹתֵימוֹ תִדְרֹךְ וגו'.
“He fell on his face to the ground” (I Samuel 17:49).20This verse describes David’s killing of Goliath. Why on his face? Initially, you expound: So that that righteous one would not be troubled six cubits and one span.21It was so when David went to behead him, Goliath’s head would be close to David. Had he fallen on his back, David would have needed to walk farther to behead him. Alternatively, why on his face? It is because Dagon his god was situated on his heart, just as it says: “I will place your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols” (Leviticus 26:30). Alternatively, why on his face? It was so that the mouth that blasphemed and cursed would be placed in the dust. That is what is written: “Hide them in the dust together; cover their faces in concealment” (Job 40:13). Alternatively, why on his face? It is based on: “Your enemies will deceive you but you will tread on their high places” (Deuteronomy 33:29).22The high place of the body is the nape. Goliath fell in such a manner that his nape was exposed and vulnerable.
וְאֵת שֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה (ויקרא ח, ב), אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בְּרַבִּי אִלְעָאי שֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה שֶׁעָשָׂה משֶׁה בַּמִּדְבָּר מַעֲשֵׂה נִסִּים נַעֲשׂוּ בוֹ מִתְּחִלָּה וְעַד סוֹף, מִתְּחִלָּה לֹא הָיָה אֶלָּא שְׁנֵים עָשָר לֹג, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות ל, לא): שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחַת קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה זֶה לִי, אִם לִשְׁרוֹת בּוֹ אֶת הָעֵצִים לֹא הָיָה מַסְפִּיק, כַּמָּה הָאוּר שׂוֹרֵף, כַּמָּה הָעֵצִים בּוֹלְעִים, וְכַמָּה יוֹרָה בּוֹלַעַת. מִמֶּנּוּ נִמְשַׁח אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו כָּל שִׁבְעַת יְמֵי הַמִּלּוּאִים, מִמֶּנּוּ נִמְשְׁחוּ מִזְבַּח הַזָּהָב וְכָל כֵּלָיו, מִמֶּנּוּ נִמְשַׁח מִזְבֵּחַ הַנְּחשֶׁת וְכָל כֵּלָיו, וְשֻׁלְחָן וְכָל כֵּלָיו, וּמְנוֹרָה וְכָל כֵּלֶיהָ, וְכִיּוֹר וְכַנּוֹ, מִמֶּנּוּ נִמְשְׁחוּ כֹּהֲנִים גְּדוֹלִים וּמְלָכִים, אֲפִלּוּ כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל בֶּן כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל טָעוּן מְשִׁיחָה עַד עֲשָׂרָה דוֹרוֹת. וְאֵין מוֹשְׁחִין מֶלֶךְ בֶּן מֶלֶךְ, וּמִפְּנֵי מָה מָשְׁחוּ אֶת שְׁלֹמֹה, מִפְּנֵי אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ. וְאֶת יוֹאָשׁ, מִפְּנֵי עֲתַלְיָה. וְאֶת יְהוֹאָחָז, מִפְּנֵי יְהוֹיָקִים אָחִיו שֶׁהָיָה גָּדוֹל מִמֶּנּוּ שְׁתֵּי שָׁנִים. וְכֻלּוֹ קַיָּם לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא, הֲדָא דִכְתִיב: שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחַת קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה זֶה לִי, אֵין מוֹשְׁחִין מְלָכִים אֶלָּא עַל גַּבֵּי מַעְיָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (מלכים א א, לג): וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ לָהֶם קְחוּ עִמָּכֶם אֶת עַבְדֵי אֲדֹנֵיכֶם וְהִרְכַּבְתֶּם אֶת שְׁלֹמֹה בְנִי עַל הַפִּרְדָה אֲשֶׁר לִי וְהוֹרַדְתֶּם אֹתוֹ אֶל גִּחוֹן, וְאֵין מוֹשְׁחִין מְלָכִים אֶלָּא מִן הַקֶּרֶן, שָׁאוּל וְיֵהוּא נִמְשְׁחוּ מִן הַפַּךְ שֶׁהָיְתָה מַלְכוּתָן מַלְכוּת עוֹבֶרֶת, דָּוִד וּשְׁלֹמֹה נִמְשְׁחוּ מִן הַקֶּרֶן, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמַּלְכוּתָן מַלְכוּת עוֹלָמִים.
“And the anointing oil” – Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Ilai said: The anointing oil that Moses prepared in the wilderness, miraculous acts were performed in its regard from beginning to end. From the beginning, there were only twelve log, as it is stated: “This [zeh]23The numerical value of the word zeh is twelve. shall be the sacred anointing oil for Me” (Exodus 30:31). This was insufficient even to soak the branches.24Various types of branches in significant quantities were to be soaked in the oil so that it would absorb their scent. See Exodus 30:22–25. How much was burned by the fire? How much was absorbed by the branches? How much was absorbed by the cauldron? From it, Aaron and his sons were anointed for all seven days of the investiture. From it, the golden altar and all its implements were anointed. From it, the bronze altar and all its implements, the table and all its implements, the candelabrum and all its implements, and the basin and its base were anointed. From it, High Priests and kings were anointed. Even a High Priest son of a High Priest for ten generations25Even if the high priesthood has been in his family for many generations. requires anointing. One does not anoint a king son of a king. Why then, did they anoint Solomon? It was due to Adoniyahu.26Adoniyahu attempted to position himself to take over as king after King David. As a result, it was necessary to anoint Solomon in order to demonstrate that he was David’s true successor. See I Kings chapter 1. Yoash [was anointed] due to Atalya, and Yehoaḥaz due to Yehoyakim his brother, who was two years older than he. All of it will be intact in the future. That is what is written: “This shall be the sacred anointing oil for Me.”27The verse is expounded to mean that “this [zeh]” sacred anointed oil shall be intact in the future in its original quantity of twelve log, implied by the numerical value of the word zeh. Thus, despite being used many times, the anointing oil miraculously did not decrease in quantity.
One anoints kings only adjacent to a spring, as it is stated: “The king said to them: Take with you the servants of your lord, mount Solomon my son upon my mule, and take him down to Gihon” (I Kings 1:33). One anoints a king only from a horn.28A horn-shaped receptacle for liquids. Saul and Yehu were anointed from a cruse, because their reign was a transient reign. David and Solomon were anointed from a horn because their kingdom is an eternal kingdom.
וְאֵת פַּר הַחַטָּאת וְאֵת שְׁנֵי הָאֵילִים (ויקרא ח, ב), רַב הוּנָא בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר כַּהֲנָא אָמַר עָשָׂה כְּמִין גִּבְעָה, אַיִל מִכָּאן וְאַיִל מִכָּאן וּפַר בָּאֶמְצַע. (ויקרא ח, ג): וְאֵת כָּל הָעֵדָה הַקְהֵל [אל] פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל שִׁשִּׁים רִבּוֹא וְאַתְּ אוֹמֵר אֶל פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, אֶלָּא זֶה אֶחָד מִן הַמְּקוֹמוֹת שֶׁהֶחֱזִיק מוּעָט אֶת הַמְרֻבֶּה, דְּכַוָּתָהּ (בראשית א, ט): יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם אֶל מָקוֹם אֶחָד, בְּנֹהַג שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם אָדָם מְפַנֶּה כְּלִי מָלֵא לְתוֹךְ כְּלִי רֵיקָן, אוֹ שֶׁמָּא כְּלִי מָלֵא לְתוֹךְ כְּלִי מָלֵא, הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ מַיִם בְּמַיִם וְאַתְּ אוֹמֵר יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם, אֶלָּא זֶה אֶחָד מִן הַמְּקוֹמוֹת שֶׁהֶחֱזִיק מֻעָט הַמְרֻבֶּה. דְּכַוָּתָהּ (שמות ט, ח): קְחוּ לָכֶם מְלֹא חָפְנֵיכֶם פִּיחַ כִּבְשָׁן, אָמַר רַב הוּנָא לָא דָמֵי הָדֵין דְּחָפִין לְהָדֵין דְּקָמִיץ, הָדֵין דְּחָפִין תְּרֵין, הָדֵין דְּקָמִיץ אַרְבַּע חָפְנָיו תְּמַנְיָא קוּמָצִים, נִמְצָא חָפְנוֹ שֶׁל משֶׁה מַחְזֶקֶת שְׁמֹנָה קוּמְצִין, אֶלָּא מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, הוּא מַסְפִּיק, וְאַהֲרֹן חוֹפֵן, וּמשֶׁה זוֹרְקָן, וְאַתְּ אָמַר (שמות ח, ט): וּזְרָקוֹ משֶׁה הַשָּׁמַיְמָה בְּבַת אֶחָת, אֶלָּא זֶה אֶחָד מִן הַמְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁהֶחֱזִיק מוּעָט לַמְרֻבֶּה. וּדְכַוָּתָהּ (שמות כז, יח): אֹרֶךְ הֶחָצֵר מֵאָה בָּאַמָּה וְרֹחַב חֲמִשִּׁים בַּחֲמִשִּׁים, אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בַּר חֲלַפְתָּא אֹרֶךְ הֶחָצֵר מֵאָה בָּאַמָּה וְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹמְדִין בְּתוֹכָהּ, אֶלָּא זֶה אֶחָד מִן הַמְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁהֶחֱזִיק מוּעָט אֶת הַמְרֻבֶּה. וּדְכַוָּתָהּ (במדבר כ, י): וַיַּקְהִלוּ משֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן אֶת הַקָּהָל אֶל פְּנֵי הַסָּלַע, אָמַר רַב חָנִין כְּמִין כְּבָרָה הָיְתָה וְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹמְדִין עָלֶיהָ, אֶלָּא זֶה אֶחָד מִן הַמְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁהֶחֱזִיק מוּעָט אֶת הַמְרֻבֶּה. וּדְכַוָּתָהּ (יהושע ג, ט): וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל גְּשׁוּ הֵנָּה, רַב הוּנָא אָמַר זְקָפָן בֵּין שְׁנֵי בַּדֵי הָאָרוֹן, רַבִּי חָמָא בַּר חֲנִינָא אָמַר שָׂמָן בֵּין שְׁנֵי בַּדֵּי הָאָרוֹן, וְרָבָא אָמַר צִמְצְמָן בֵּין שְׁתֵּי בַּדֵּי הָאָרוֹן, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (יהושע ג, י): וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בְּזֹאת תֵּדְעוּ כִּי אֵל חַי בְּקִרְבְּכֶם, אָמַר לָהֶם מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁהֶחֱזִיקוּ אֶתְכֶם שְׁנֵי בַּדֵּי הָאָרוֹן יוֹדֵעַ אֲנִי שֶׁשְּׁכִינָתוֹ בֵּינֵיכֶם, אַף בְּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ כֵּן, דִּתְנִינַן עוֹמְדִים צְפוּפִים וּמִשְׁתַּחֲוִים רְוָחִים. רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר אִיבְיָה בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי אַחָא אָמַר רֶוַח אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת בֵּין כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד, אַמָּה לְכָל צַד שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא אֶחָד מֵהֶן שׁוֹמֵעַ קוֹל חֲבֵרוֹ מִתְפַּלֵּל, אַף לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא כֵּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ירמיה ג, יז): בָּעֵת הַהִיא יִקְרְאוּ לִירוּשָׁלִַם כִּסֵּא ה' וְנִקְווּ אֵלֶיהָ כָל הַגּוֹיִם. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן סָלַק לְמִשְׁאַל בִּשְׁלָמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא וְאַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ דַּהֲוָה עָסֵיק בַּהֲדֵין פְּסוּקָא, בָּעֵת הַהִיא יִקְרְאוּ לִירוּשָׁלִַם כִּסֵּא ה' וְנִקְווּ אֵלֶיהָ כָל הַגּוֹיִם, אָמַר לוֹ וּמַחְזֶקֶת הִיא אוֹתָן, אָמַר לוֹ הַמִּקְרָא אוֹמֵר (ישעיה נד, ב): הַרְחִיבִי מְקוֹם אָהֳלֵךְ (ישעיה נד, ג): כִּי יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאל תִּפְרֹצִי.
“And the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams” (Leviticus 8:2), Rav Huna said in the name of Rabbi Abba bar Kahana: He fashioned a hill of sorts; a ram on one side, a ram on the other side, and a bull in the middle.29The different heights of the animals produced the effect of a hill. This symbolized the fact that Aaron and his sons were becoming exalted through the process of investiture on these days (Etz Yosef).
“Assemble the entire congregation at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting” (Leviticus 8:3).
“Assemble the entire congregation at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.” Rabbi Elazar said: All of Israel was six hundred thousand, and you say: “At the entrance of the Tent of Meeting”? Rather, this is one of the places where the lesser contained the greater.30A large number of people were able to gather in a relatively small area.
Similarly, “Let the water under the heavens be gathered to one place” (Genesis 1:9). The way of the world is that a person empties a full vessel into an empty vessel. Or, is it, perhaps, a full vessel into a full vessel? The entire world was full of water, and you say: “Let the water…be gathered”? Rather, this is one of the places where the lesser contained the greater.
Similarly, “take for yourselves cupped handfuls of soot of a furnace” (Exodus 9:8). Rav Huna said: This cupped handful and this clenched handful are not comparable. The cupped handful is twice the clenched handful. Four cupped handfuls are eight clenched handfuls. The outcome is that the cupped hand of Moses holds eight clenched handfuls.31Two handfuls for Moses and two handfuls for Aaron are altogether four cupped handfuls. But it says that “Moses shall throw it heavenward.” In order to do so powerfully, he must use one hand. Rather, it teaches that the Holy One blessed be He provided the ability. [Moses and] Aaron took cupped handfuls, and Moses threw them. And you say: “Moses threw then heavenward” (Exodus 9:8) all at once. Rather, this is one of the places where the lesser contained the greater.
Similarly, “The length of the courtyard shall be one hundred cubits and the width shall be fifty on each side” (Exodus 27:18). Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥalafta said: The length of the courtyard was one hundred cubits and all of Israel was standing inside it? Rather, this is one of the places where the lesser contained the greater.
Similarly, “Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock” (Numbers 20:10). Rav Ḥanin said: It was the size of a sieve and all of Israel was standing before it? Rather, this is one of the places where the lesser contained the greater.
Similarly, “Joshua said to the children of Israel: Come here” (Joshua 3:9). Rav Huna said: He stood them all erect between the two staves of the Ark. Rabbi Ḥama bar Ḥanina said: He arranged them between the two staves of the Ark. Rava said: He crowded them between the two staves of the Ark. That is what is written: “Joshua said: With this you will know that the living God is in your midst” (Joshua 3:10). He said to them: Because the two staves of the Ark contained you, I know that His Divine Presence is in your midst.
This occurred in the Temple, too, as we learned: They would stand crowded and prostrate themselves spaced.32Mishna Avot 5:5. Rabbi Shmuel bar Ivya said in the name of Rabbi Aḥa: There were four cubits between each and every one, and a cubit on each side so that none of them would hear the voice of another praying.
This will occur in the future, too, as it is stated: “At that time, they will call Jerusalem the Throne of the Lord, and all the nations will be gathered to it” (Jeremiah 3:17). Rabbi Yoḥanan ascended to inquire after the wellbeing of Rabbi Ḥanina and found him engaged in this verse: “At that time, they will call Jerusalem the Throne of the Lord, and all the nations will be gathered to it.” He said to him: ‘Will it [Jerusalem] contain them?’ He said to him: ‘The verse says: “Expand the place of your tent” (Isaiah 54:2) “for you will spread right and left”’ (Isaiah 54:3).