קהלת רבה י״אKohelet Rabbah 11

Verse 1 · 1א׳

שַׁלַּח לַחְמְךָ עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם, אָמַר רַבִּי בֵּיבַי אִם בִּקַּשְׁתָּ לַעֲשׂוֹת צְדָקָה, עֲשֵׂה אוֹתָהּ עִם עֲמֵלֵי תּוֹרָה, שֶׁאֵין מַיִם הָאָמוּר כָּאן אֶלָּא דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה נה, א): הוֹי כָּל צָמֵא לְכוּ לַמַּיִם. אָמַר רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא כְּשֶׁהָיִיתִי בָּא בַּיָּם רָאִיתִי סְפִינָה שֶׁטָּבְעָה בַּיָּם, וְנִצְטָעַרְתִּי עַל תַּלְמִיד חָכָם אֶחָד שֶׁהָיָה בָּהּ וְנִטְבַּע, וּכְשֶׁבָּאתִי לִמְדִינַת קַפּוֹטְקְיָא רְאִיתִיו שֶׁהָיָה יוֹשֵׁב לְפָנַי וְשׁוֹאֵל שְׁאֵלוֹת, נַמְתִּי לוֹ, בְּנִי, הֵיאַךְ עָלִיתָ מִן הַיָּם, אָמַר לִי רַבִּי בִּצְלוֹתָךְ טְרָדַנִּי הַגַּל לַחֲבֵרוֹ, וַחֲבֵרוֹ לַחֲבֵרוֹ, עַד שֶׁהִגִּיעוּנִי לַיַּבָּשָׁה. אָמַרְתִּי לוֹ בְּנִי, מַה מַּעֲשִׂים יֵשׁ בְּיָדֶךָ, אָמַר כְּשֶׁנִּכְנַסְתִּי לַסְּפִינָה פָּגַע בִּי אִישׁ אֶחָד מִסְכֵּן, אָמַר לִי זְכֵי בִּי, וִיהֲבִית לֵיהּ חַד עִיגּוּל, אָמַר כְּמָה דִּיהַבְתְּ לִי נַפְשִׁי בְּמַתְּנָךְ, כֵּן יִתְיְהֵב לָךְ נַפְשָׁךְ. וְקָרָאתִי עָלָיו: שַׁלַּח לַחְמְךָ עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם. מַעֲשֶׂה בִּסְפִינָה אַחַת גְּדוֹלָה מְפָרֶשֶׁת לַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל, נְטָלָהּ הָרוּחַ וְהוֹלִיכָהּ לְמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ מַיִם מְהַלְּכִין, כְּשֶׁרָאוּ שֶׁצָּרָתָן צָרָה, אָמְרוּ בּוֹאוּ וְנִשְׁתַּתְּפִינוּן בְּאִיצְטְרַכְיָא שֶׁלָּנוּ, אִם נָמוּת נָמוּת כֻּלָּנוּ, אִם נִחְיֶה נִחְיֶה כֻּלָּנוּ, הֵאִיר הַמָּקוֹם עֵינֵיהֶם וְנָטְלוּ גְּדִי אֶחָד וְצָלוּ אוֹתוֹ וְתָלוּהוּ בְּמַעֲרָבָהּ שֶׁל סְפִינָה, בָּאָה חַיָּה גְדוֹלָה לְרֵיחוֹ וְהִתְחִילָה גּוֹרֶרֶת בָּהּ עַד שֶׁהִשְׁלִיכָה לַמַּיִם הַמְהַלְּכִין וְהָלְכוּ, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיעַ וְנִכְנְסוּ לְרוֹמִי תַּנּוֹן עוֹבָדָא לְרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר וְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, וּקְרוֹן עֲלֵיהוֹן: שַׁלַּח לַחְמְךָ עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם. בַּר קַפָּרָא מְקַפֵּל בְּשׁוּנִיתָא דְּיַמָּא דְקֵסָרִי, רָאָה סְפִינָה שֶׁטָּבְעָה בַּיָּם הַגָּדוֹל וְאוֹטַפִּיטָא עוֹלֶה מִתּוֹכָהּ עָרֹם, כַּד חֲמִינֵיהּ בָּא אֶצְלוֹ וְשָׁאַל בִּשְׁלוֹמוֹ וְנָתַן לוֹ שְׁתֵּי סְלָעִים, מֶה עָשָׂה הִכְנִיסוֹ לְבֵיתוֹ וְהֶאֱכִילוֹ וְהִשְׁקָהוּ וְנָתַן לוֹ עוֹד שְׁלשָׁה סְלָעִים אֲחֵרִים, אָמַר לוֹ אָדָם גָּדוֹל שֶׁכְּמוֹתְךָ יוֹצִיא שְׁלשָׁה סְלָעִים אֲחֵרִים, לְבָתַר יוֹמִין אִתְצַיְדוּן יְהוּדָאֵי בַּהֲדֵין סַפְּפָסָא, אָמְרִין מַאן אָזֵיל וּמְפַיֵּיס עֲלֵינָא, אָמְרִין דֵּין לְדֵין בַּר קַפָּרָא דְּהוּא חָשׁוּב בְּמַלְכוּתָא, אֲמַר לוֹן וְיָדְעוּן אַתּוּן הֲדָא מַלְכוּתָא עָבְדָא מִידֵּי עַל מַגָּן, אָמְרִין לֵיהּ אִית הָכָא חֲמֵשׁ מָאוָון דְּדִינָרִין סַב יַתְהוֹן וְזִיל וּפַיֵּיס עֲלֵינָן. נְסַב חֲמֵשׁ מָאוָון דְּדִינָרִין וּסְלַק לְמַלְכוּתָא. כְּשֶׁרָאָה אוֹתוֹ אַנְטַפִּיטֵי עָמַד עַל רַגְלָיו וְשָׁאַל בִּשְׁלוֹמוֹ, אָמַר לוֹ לָמָּה אִיצְטָעֵר רַבִּי לְהָכָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ בָּעֵינָא מִינָךְ דְּתִתְרַחַם עַל אִילֵּין יְהוּדָּאֵי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ יָדַע אַתְּ דְּהָדֵין מַלְכוּתָא עָבְדָא כְּלוּם עַל מַגָּן, אֲמַר לֵיהּ אִית עִמִּי חֲמֵשׁ מָאוָון דְּדִינָרֵי סַב יַתְהוֹן וּפַיֵּיס עֲלֵינָן. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אִית אִילֵּין דִּינָרִין אִינּוּן יְהוֹן מִתְמַשְׁכְּנִין לָךְ חֲלַף חֲמִשָּׁה סְלָעִים דִּיהַבְתְּ לִי, וְאֻמָּתָךְ מִשְׁתַּזְבִין חֲלַף מַאֲכָל וּמִשְׁתֶּה דְּאוֹכֵלְתְּ וְאַשְׁקֵית יָתִי בְּבֵיתָךְ, וְאַתְּ זִיל בִּשְׁלָם בִּיקָרָא סַגִּי, וּקְרוֹן עֲלוֹי: שַׁלַּח לַחְמְךָ עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן שָׁמוּעַ הֲוָה מְטַיֵּיל עַל כֵּיף יַמָּא רַבָּה, חֲמָא אִילְפָא דְּמִיטָרְפָא בְּיַמָּא, כַּהֲרִיפַת עַיִן טְבַעַת וּטְבַע כָּל מַה דַּהֲוָה בָּהּ, חֲמָא חַד גְּבַר דִּיתֵיב עַל קוּרְשָׁא דִּסְפִינְתָּא, מִגַּלָּא לְגַלָּא סְלֵיק לְיַבֶּשְׁתָּא כַּד הוּא הֲוָה עַרְטִילָאי, וַהֲוָה מִיטַּמַּר בְּכֵיף יַמָּא. אֲרָעַת עָנְתָה דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל סָלְקִין לְרִיגְלָא בִּירוּשְׁלֵם, אֲמַר לְהוֹן מִן בְּנֵי עֵשָׂו אֲחוּכוֹן אֲנָא, הָבוּ לִי זְעֵיר כְּסוּת וְאֵיכַסֵּי בָּהּ תַּתָּאִי, דְּעָרְעַנִי יַמָּא וְלָא אִישְׁתֵּזַב גַּבָּאי מִידֵּי. אָמְרִין לֵיהּ כֵּן יִתְעַרְעֲרָן כָּל אוּמָּתָךְ. תְּלָה עֵינֵיהּ וַחֲמָא יַת רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר דַּהֲוָה מְטַיֵּיל בֵּינֵיהֶן, אֲמַר מִסְתַּכֵּל אֲנָא דְּאַתְּ גְּבַר סַב וְיַקִּיר מֵאוּמָּתָךְ, וְאַתְּ חַכִּים בִּיקָרֵי דִּבְרִיָּיתָא, אֶלָּא זְכֵי בִּי וְהַב לִי תַּכְסִית דַּאֲכַסֵּי בָּהּ תַּתָּאִי דְּעַרְעֲרָן יַמָּא. הֲוָה עַל רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן שָׁמוּעַ שֶׁבַע אִיצְטַלְוָון, שְׁלַח חַד וְיַהֲבֵיהּ לֵיהּ, אוֹבְלֵיהּ לְבֵיתֵיהּ וְאוֹכְלֵיהּ וְאַשְׁקֵיהּ וִיהַב לֵיהּ תְּרֵין מָאוָון דִּינָרִין, וְאַרְכְּבֵיהּ אַרְבְּעָה עֲשַׂר פַּרְסִין, וַעֲבַד לֵיהּ יְקָרָא סַגִּי עַד דְּאַעְלֵיהּ לְבֵיתֵיהּ. לְבָתַר יוֹמִין מֵת קֵיסָר הָרָשָׁע וְאֵימַנּוֹ לֵיהּ מַלְכָּא תְּחוֹתֵיהּ, גְּזַר עַל מְדִינְתָּא הַהִיא כָּל גּוּבְרִין לְקַטָּלָא וְכָל נְשַׁיָא לְבִיזָה. אֲמָרוּ לְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן שָׁמוּעַ זִיל וּפַיֵּיס עֲלֵינַן, אֲמַר לוֹן אַתּוּן יָדְעִיתוּן הֲדָא מַלְכוּתָא עָבְדָא מִידֵּי עַל מַגָּן, אֲמָרוּ לֵיהּ אִית הָכָא אַרְבְּעָה אַלְפִין דִּינָרִין סַב יַתְהוֹן וְאִזֵיל וּפַיֵּיס עֲלֵינַן. נְסַב יַתְהוֹן וּסְלַק, וְקָם עַל תְּרַע מַלְכוּתָא, אֲמַר לוֹן אִיזְלוּן אִימְרוּן לְמַלְכָּא חַד גְּבַר יְהוּדָאי קָאֵים עַל תַּרְעָא בָּעֵי מִישְׁאַל שְׁלָמָא דְּמַלְכָּא, אֲמַר אַעֲלוּנֵיהּ, כַּד חֲמִינֵיהּ מַלְכָּא שְׁדָא מֵעַל כּוּרְסְיֵיהּ וּנְפַל עַל אַנְפּוֹהִי, אֲמַר לֵיהּ מַאי עִיסְקֵיהּ דְּמָרִי הָכָא, וּלְמָה אִיצְטָעֵר מָרִי לְהָכָא, אֲמַר בְּגִין דְּתִתְרַחַם עַל הֲדָא מְדִינְתָּא וְתִתְבַּטֵּל הֲדָא גְּזֵרְתָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אוֹרָיְיתָא כְּלוּם כְּתִיב בָּהּ שִׁיקְּרָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ לָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ לָא כְתִיב בְּתוֹרַתְכֶם (דברים כג, ד): לֹא יָבֹא עַמּוֹנִי וּמוֹאָבִי בִּקְהַל ה', לָמָּה, (דברים כג, ה): עַל דְּבַר אֲשֶׁר לֹא קִדְּמוּ אֶתְכֶם בַּלֶּחֶם וּבַמַּיִם, וּכְתִיב (דברים כג, ח): לֹא תְתַעֵב אֲדֹמִי כִּי אָחִיךָ הוּא, וַאֲנָא לָא בַּר עֵשָׂו אֲחוּכוֹן אֲנָא, וְלָא גְּמָלוּן לִי חֶסֶד, וּמַאן דַּעֲבַר אַדְאוֹרָיְיתָא חַיָּיב לְקַטָּלָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן שָׁמוּעַ אַף עַל פִּי דְּהִינוּן חַיָּיבִין לָךְ תִּישְׁבּוֹק וּתְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהוֹן. אֲמַר לֵיהּ וְאַתְּ יָדַע הֲדָא מַלְכוּתָא עָבְדָא מִידֵּי עַל מַגָּן, אָמַר לֵיהּ אִית עִמִּי אַרְבַּעַת אַלְפִין דִּינָרִין, סַב יַתְהוֹן וְאִיתְרַחַם עֲלֵיהוֹן. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַרְבְּעָה אַלְפִין הַלָּלוּ יְהוֹן לָךְ יְהִיבִין חֲלַף תְּרֵין מָאוָון דִּיהַבְתְּ לִי, וּמְדִינְתָּא כּוּלָּהּ תְּהֵא מִשְׁתַּזְּבָא בְּגִינָךְ, חֲלַף מֵיכְלָא וּמִישְׁתְּיָא דְּאוֹכֵלְתְּ וְאַשְׁקֵת יָתִי. וְעוּל לְבֵי גְּעָא וְגִנְזֵי דִּידִי וְסַב לָךְ שַׁבְעִין אִיצְטַלְוָון דִּלְבוּשָׁן, חֲלַף אִיצְטְלָא דִּיהַבְתְּ לִי, וְזִיל בִּשְׁלָם עַל אוּמָּתָךְ וְאַשְׁבִּיקִין בְּגִינָךְ, וּקְרוֹן עֲלוֹי: שַׁלַּח לַחְמְךָ עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם. עוֹבָדָא הֲוָה בְּחַד בַּר נָשׁ דִּבְכָל יוֹם הֲוָה נָסֵיב חַד עִיגּוּל וּמְקַלֵּק לְיַמָּא רַבָּא, חַד יוֹמָא אֲזַל וּזְבֵין חַד נוּן, קָרְעֵיהּ וְאַשְׁכַּח בֵּיהּ סִימָא, אָמְרוּ לֵיהּ הַיְידֵי הוּא גַּבְרָא דְּקָם לֵיהּ עִיגּוּלֵיהּ, וּקְרוֹן עֲלוֹי: שַׁלַּח לַחְמְךָ עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם, אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק, עוֹבָדָא הֲוָה בִּפְרַגְמָטוּזְטוֹס שֶׁהָיָה מְהַלֵּךְ בַּדֶּרֶךְ בַּהֲדֵי אִסְרַדְיוֹט חַד, כְּשֶׁהֵן מְהַלְּכִין זֶה עִם זֶה קָשַׁר עִמּוֹ חִבָּה, כֵּיוָן שֶׁנִּכְנְסוּ לָעִיר הִכְנִיסוֹ עִמּוֹ וְהֶאֱכִילָהוּ וְהִשְׁקָהוּ. לְבָתַר יוֹמִין אִיתְצַיָּד הַהוּא פְּרַגְמָטוּזְטוֹס דַּהֲוָה מְזַבֵּין מָנִין מְגַעְגְּעִין בִּדְמָא, שְׁמַע הַהוּא אִסְרַדְיוֹט וַאֲתָא לְגַבֵּיהּ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ מָה אַתְּ עָבֵיד הָכָא, תַּנֵּי לֵיהּ עוֹבָדָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ כַּד אַתְּ נָפֵיק לְמִיתְדָנָא אֵימָא לְהוּ פְּלַן חַכִּים עֲלַי זָכוּ, כַּד נְפַק לְאִתְדָנָא אֲמַר פְּלוֹנִי חַכִּים עֲלַי זָכוּ. אֲמָרוּן לֵיהּ מַה זָּכוּ אַתְּ יָדַע לְדֵין, אֲמַר לוֹן אֲחוֹי דִּקְטִילָא הֲוָה חַיָּיב לִי וְלָא הֲוָה לֵיהּ מַה יִּתֵּן וּנְסֵיבִית יַת מָנוֹי וִיהָבִית יַתְהוֹן לְדֵין לִמְזַבְּנָא יַתְהוֹן לִי, אָמְרִין נֶאֱמָן מִנֶּאֱמָן קַבֵּיל, וְהוּא נָפֵיק לְדִימוֹס, וּקְרוֹן עֲלֵיהּ: שַׁלַּח לַחְמְךָ עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי סִימָאי פָּתַר בְּאַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אַתָּה אָמַרְתָּ (בראשית יח, ה): וְאֶקְחָה פַת לֶחֶם, חַיֶּיךָ שֶׁאֲנִי פּוֹרֵעַ לְבָנֶיךָ בַּמִּדְבָּר, וּבַיִּשׁוּב, וְלֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא. בַּמִּדְבָּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות טז, ד): הִנְּנִי מַמְטִיר לָכֶם לֶחֶם מִן הַשָּׁמָיִם. בַּיִּשּׁוּב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ח, ח): אֶרֶץ חִטָּה וּשְׂעֹרָה. לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים עב, טז): יְהִי פִסַּת בַּר בָּאָרֶץ. אָמַרְתָּ: וְרַחֲצוּ רַגְלֵיכֶם, חַיֶּיךָ אֲנִי פּוֹרֵעַ לְבָנֶיךָ בַּמִּדְבָּר, וּבַיִּשּׁוּב, וְלֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא. בַּמִּדְבָּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (יחזקאל טז, ט): וָאֶרְחָצֵךְ בַּמַּיִם וגו'. בַּיִּשּׁוּב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה א, טז): רַחֲצוּ הִזַּכּוּ. לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה ד, ד): אִם רָחַץ ה' אֶת צֹאַת בְּנוֹת צִיּוֹן, אָמַרְתָּ (בראשית יח, ד): יֻקַּח נָא מְעַט מַיִם, חַיֶּיךָ אֲנִי פּוֹרֵעַ לְבָנֶיךָ בַּמִּדְבָּר, וּבַיִּשּׁוּב, וְלֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא. בַּמִּדְבָּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר כא, יז): עֲלִי בְאֵר וגו'. בַּיִּשּׁוּב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ח, ז): אֶרֶץ נַחֲלֵי מָיִם וגו'. לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא, שֶׁנֶאֱמַר (יואל ד, יח): וְהָיָה בַיּוֹם הַהוּא יִטְּפוּ הֶהָרִים עָסִיס וְכָל הַגְּבָעוֹת תֵּלַכְנָה חָלָב וְכָל אֲפִיקֵי יְהוּדָה יֵלְכוּ מָיִם וגו'. אָמַרְתָּ (בראשית יח, ד): וְהִשָּׁעֲנוּ תַּחַת הָעֵץ. חַיֶּיךָ אֲנִי פּוֹרֵעַ לְבָנֶיךָ בַּמִּדְבָּר, וּבַיִּשּׁוּב, וְלֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא. בַּמִּדְבָּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים קה, לט): פָּרַשׂ עָנָן לְמָסָךְ. בַּיִּשּׁוּב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא כג, מב): בַּסֻּכֹּת תֵּשְׁבוּ שִׁבְעַת יָמִים כָּל הָאֶזְרָח בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל יֵשְׁבוּ בַּסֻּכֹּת. לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה ד, ו): וְסֻכָּה תִּהְיֶה לְצֵל יוֹמָם וגו'.

“Cast your bread on the surface of the water, for after many days you will find it (Ecclesiastes 11:1). “Cast your bread on the surface of the water” – Rabbi Beivai said: If you sought to perform charity, perform it with those who toil in Torah study, as water stated here is nothing other than words of Torah, as it is stated: “Anyone thirsty, go to water” (Isaiah 55:1). Rabbi Akiva said: When I was coming by sea, I saw a ship that sank in the sea, and I was very sorry about a certain Torah scholar who was on it and [must have] drowned. When I arrived at the province of Kapotkeya, I saw him, that he was sitting before me and asking questions. I said to him: ‘My son, how did you ascend from the sea?’ He said: ‘Rabbi, due to your prayer, each wave cast me to another, and another to another until they caused me to reach dry land.’ I said to him: ‘My son, what deeds do you have to your credit?’ He said: ‘When I boarded the ship, a certain unfortunate man encountered me. He said to me: Perform charity for me, and I gave him a loaf. He said to me: Just as you gave me my life with your gift, so may your life be given to you.’ I read in his regard: “Cast your bread on the surface of the water.” There was an incident involving a certain large ship that set sail in the Mediterranean Sea. The wind took hold of it and brought it to a place where there was no flowing water. When they realized that they were in serious trouble, they said: Let us share our supplies. If we die, all of us will die. If we live, all of us will live. The Omnipresent enlightened their eyes and they took a goat, roasted it, and suspended it on the west side of the ship. A great beast came after its aroma and began dragging [the ship] until it cast it into flowing water and they traveled on. When they arrived and entered Rome, they recounted the incident to Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua. They read in their regard: “Cast your bread on the surface of the water.” Bar Kappara was digging on the coast at Caesarea. He saw a ship that had sunk in the sea and a governor ascending from it unclothed. When [bar Kappara] saw him, he approached him, inquired after his welfare, and gave him two sela. What [else] did he do? He took him into his house, fed him, gave him to drink, and gave him an additional three sela. He said to him: ‘A prominent man like you will [need to] spend an additional three sela.’ Sometime later, Jews were incarcerated in Safefasa. They said: ‘Who will go and appease [the authorities] on our behalf?’ They said to each other: ‘Bar Kappara, as he is esteemed by the government.’ He said to them: ‘You know that this kingdom does nothing for free.’ They said to him: ‘There are five hundred dinars here; take them and appease them on our behalf.’ He took five hundred dinars and ascended to the governmental authorities. When the governor saw him, [the governor] stood on his feet and inquired after his welfare. [The governor] said to him: ‘Why did the Rabbi trouble himself to come here?’ [Bar Kappara] said to him: ‘I am requesting from you that you have mercy on these Jews.’ [The governor] said to him: ‘You know that this kingdom does nothing for free.’ [Bar Kappara] said to him: ‘I have with me five hundred dinars. Take them and be appeased in our regard.’ [The governor] said to him: ‘Let these dinars be payment to you for the five sela that you gave me, and [the members of] your nation will be freed in exchange for the food and the drink that you fed me and gave me to drink in your house, and go you in peace, with great honor.’ They read in his regard: “Cast your bread on the surface of the water.” Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua was strolling on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. He saw a ship that was being tossed in the sea, and in an instant, it sank along with everything that was on it. He saw one man who was sitting on one of the planks of the ship. [His plank was tossed] from one wave to another; he ascended to dry land when he was naked, and he hid on the seacoast. It was the season when Jews ascend to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage festival. He said to them: ‘I am from the descendants of Esau your brother. Give me some minimal garments, and I will cover my nakedness, as the sea stripped me bare and I was left with nothing.’ They said to him: ‘May your entire nation be stripped bare in this manner.’ He lifted his eyes and saw Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua strolling among them. He said: ‘I see that you are an elderly and respected man in your nation, and you are wise in the ways of the dignity of people. Perform charity for me and give me a covering, for the sea stripped me bare.’ Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua had on him seven cloaks. He removed one and gave it to him. He led him to his house, fed him, gave him to drink, gave him two hundred dinars, transported him fourteen parasangs, and accorded him great honor until he brought him into his [own] house. Sometime later, the evil emperor died, and they appointed a king in his place. He decreed on that province that all the men were to be executed and all the women to be plundered. They said to Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua: ‘Go and appease them on our behalf.’ He said to them: ‘You know that this kingdom does nothing for free.’ They said to him: ‘There are four thousand dinars here; take them and appease them on our behalf.’ He took them and ascended, and stood at the gate of the royal palace. He said to them: ‘Go and say to the king: One Jewish man is standing at the gate and he wishes to ask after the welfare of the king.’ [The king] said: ‘Bring him in.’ When the king saw him, he threw himself off his throne and fell on his face. He said: ‘What business does my master have here, and why did my master trouble himself to come here?’ [Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua] said: ‘It is so you will have mercy on that province and abrogate that decree.’ He said to him: ‘Is there any untruth written in the Torah?’ He said to him: ‘No.’ He said to him: ‘Is it not written in your Torah: “An Amonite and a Moavite shall not enter into the assembly of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 23:4)? Why? “Because they did not greet you with bread and with water” (Deuteronomy 23:5). And it is written: “Do not despise an Edomite, as he is your brother” (Deuteronomy 23:8). Am I not a descendant of Esau your brother? But they did not treat me with kindness. One who violates the Torah incurs liability to be executed.’ Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua said to him: ‘Even though they have incurred liability toward you, pardon them and have mercy on them.’ He said to him: ‘You know that this kingdom does nothing for free.’ He said to him: ‘I have with me four thousand dinars. Take them and have mercy on them.’ He said to him: ‘Let these four thousand be given to you in exchange for the two hundred that you gave me, and the entire province will be pardoned because of you, in exchange for the food and the drink that you fed me and gave me to drink. Go into my treasury and take for yourself seven cloaks of garments in exchange for the cloak that you gave to me. Go in peace to your people, and I will pardon them because of you.’ They read in his regard: “Cast your bread on the surface of the water.” There was an incident involving a certain man who each day would take one loaf and cast it into the Mediterranean Sea. One day he went and purchased a fish. He cut it open and found a jewel in it. They said to him: This is the man who received a return for his loaves. They read in his regard: “Cast your bread on the surface of the water.” Rabbi Yitzḥak said: There was an incident involving a merchant who was walking along the way along with a certain soldier. As they were walking together they developed a fondness for one another. When they entered the city, [the merchant] brought him in with him, fed him, and gave him to drink. Sometime later this merchant was arrested for selling garments stained with blood. That soldier heard, and he came to him. He said to [the merchant]: ‘What are you doing here?’ [The merchant] recounted the incident to him. [The soldier] said to him: ‘When you go out to be tried, say to them that so-and-so knows to speak in my favor.’ When he went out to be tried, he said: ‘So-and-so knows to speak in my favor.’ They said to [the soldier]: ‘What favorable [considerations] do you know about this [individual]?’ He said to them: ‘The brother of someone who was killed owed me [money], but he did not have anything to give. He gave me his garments, and I gave them to this one to sell them for me.’ They said: ‘A trustworthy one received it from a trustworthy one,’ and he was freed. They read in his regard: “Cast your bread on the surface of the water.” Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Simai interpreted it regarding Abraham our patriarch. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: You said: “I will take a loaf of bread [and you shall sustain your heart]” (Genesis 18:5); by your life, I will repay your descendants in the wilderness, in the settlement, and in the future. In the wilderness, as it is stated: “Behold I will rain bread down to you from the heavens” (Exodus 16:4). In the settlement, as it is stated: “A land of wheat and barley” (Deuteronomy 8:8). And in the future as it is stated: “There will be an abundance of grain in the land” (Psalms 72:16). You said: “And wash your feet” (Genesis 18:4); by your life, I will repay your descendants in the wilderness, in the settlement, and in the future. In the wilderness, as it is stated: “I will wash you in water…” (Ezekiel 16:9). In the settlement, as it is stated: “Wash and be purified” (Isaiah 1:16). And in the future as it is stated: “When the Lord will have washed away the excrement of the daughters of Zion” (Isaiah 4:4). You said: “Please let a little water be taken” (Genesis 18:4); by your life, I will repay your descendants in the wilderness, in the settlement, and in the future. In the wilderness, as it is stated: “Arise, well, [give voice for it]” (Numbers 21:17). In the settlement, as it is stated: “A land of streams of water…” (Deuteronomy 8:7). And in the future as it is stated: “It will be on that day, the mountains will drip nectar and the hills will flow with milk; all the streams of Judah will flow with water…” (Joel 4:18). You said: “Recline under the tree” (Genesis 18:4); by your life, I will repay your descendants in the wilderness, in the settlement, and in the future. In the wilderness, as it is stated: “He spread a cloud for a screen” (Psalms 105:39). In the settlement, as it is stated: “You shall dwell in booths seven days; every native in Israel shall dwell in booths” (Leviticus 23:42). And in the future as it is stated: “It will be a shelter for shade by day…” (Isaiah 4:6).

Verse 2 · 1א׳

תֶּן חֵלֶק לְשִׁבְעָה וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר וְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר תֶּן חֵלֶק לְשִׁבְעָה, אֵלּוּ שִׁבְעַת יְמֵי שַׁבָּת, הֵיאַךְ מָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר (מלכים א יח, מד): וַיְהִי בַּשְּׁבִעִית, בְּיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת. וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה, אֵלּוּ שְׁמוֹנַת יְמֵי הַמִּילָה, דִּכְתִיב (מלכים א יח, מב): וַיָּשֶׂם פָּנָיו בֵּין בִּרְכָּו וגו', וְלָמָּה בֵּין בִּרְכָּו, אֶלָּא אָמַר לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם אֲפִלּוּ אֵין בְּיַד בָּנֶיךָ אֶלָּא זְכוּת שְׁתֵּי מִצְווֹת הַלָּלוּ, שַׁבָּת וּמִילָה, כְּדַאי שֶׁתְּרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר, תֶּן חֵלֶק לְשִׁבְעָה, אֵלּוּ שִׁבְעַת יְמֵי הַפֶּסַח. וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה, אֵלּוּ שְׁמוֹנַת יְמֵי הֶחָג. וּמִנַּיִן לְרַבּוֹת עֲצֶרֶת וְרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וְיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: גַּם וְגַם, רִבּוּיִין. רַבִּי עֲזַרְיָה אוֹמֵר, תֶּן חֵלֶק לְשִׁבְעָה, זֶה דּוֹר שֶׁמָּל משֶׁה לְשִׁבְעָה, וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה, זֶה דּוֹר שֶׁמָּל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ לִשְׁמוֹנָה, דִּכְתִיב (יהושע ה, ב): בָּעֵת הַהִיא אָמַר ה' אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וגו' מֹל אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שֵׁנִית, מִכְּלַל שֶׁמָּלָן בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה, וַיַּעַשׂ לוֹ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, שֶׁעָשׂוּ אוֹתָה גִּבְעָה בָּעֲרָלוֹת. רַבִּי נְחֶמְיָה פָּתַר קְרָיָיא בַּנְּשִׂיאִים, תֶּן חֵלֶק לְשִׁבְעָה, דִּכְתִיב (במדבר ז, מח): בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי נָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי אֶפְרָיִם, וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה, דִּכְתִיב (במדבר ז, נד): בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי נָשִׂיא לִבְנֵי מְנַשֶּׁה. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה פָּתַר קְרָיָיא בַּמִּלּוּאִים, תֶּן חֵלֶק לְשִׁבְעָה, אֵלּוּ שִׁבְעַת יְמֵי הַמִּלּוּאִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא ח, לג): כִּי שִׁבְעַת יָמִים יְמַלֵּא אֶת יֶדְכֶם. וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה, דִּכְתִיב (ויקרא ט, א): וַיְהִי בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי. רַבִּי הוּנָא אָמַר: תֶּן חֵלֶק לְשִׁבְעָה, אֵלּוּ שִׁבְעַת יְמֵי הַנִּדָּה. וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה, אֵלּוּ שְׁמוֹנַת יְמֵי הַמִּילָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא יב, ג): וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי יִמּוֹל. רַבִּי לֵוִי אָמַר: תֶּן חֵלֶק לְשִׁבְעָה, אֵלּוּ שִׁבְעַת יְמֵי הַסֻּכָּה. וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה (במדבר כט, לה): בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אִיתְּשֵׁישׁ וְאִיתַּגְלִיאַת אֶדְרְעֵיהּ, חֲמִיתֵּיהּ אִתְּתֵיהּ וְחַיְּיכַת וּבְכֵית, וַאֲמָרַת טוּבוֹי מָה הֲוָה חֶלְקִי בַּהֲדֵין עָלְמָא, טוּבוֹי דְּאִידְּבַקְתְּ לַהֲדֵין גּוּפָא צַדִּיקָא, וּבְכֵית וַאֲמָרַת וַוי דְּהָדֵין גּוּפָא צַדִיקָא לָאֲדָמָה. וְכַד הֲוָה מִידְמַךְ, אָמַר לָהּ אֲנָא מִידְמֵיךְ בְּרַם רִמָּה לֵית לֵיהּ מִשְׁלֵיט בִּי, אֶלָּא תּוֹלַעְתָּא דַּעֲתִידָא נַקָּרָא אֲחוֹרֵי אוּדְנִי. דְּחַד זְמַן הֲוֵינָא עָלֵיל וּשְׁמָעִית קָלֵיהּ דְּחַד בַּר נָשׁ מְחָרֵף וַהֲוַת סְפֵיקָא בְּיָדִי לְמֶיעֱבַד בֵּיהּ דִּינָא וְלָא עֲבַדִּית. וְכֵיוָן דִּדְמַךְ אִתְיְהֵב בַּהֲדָא גּוּשׁ חָלָב, וַהֲוָה רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן מִיתְגְּלֵי עַל מָרוֹנָאֵי וַאֲמַר לוֹן חַד עַיִן דִּיְמִין דַּהֲוַת לִי וְלֵית אַתּוּן יָהֲבֵיהּ יָתֵיהּ גַּבִּי. וַהֲווֹן מָרוֹנָאֵי אָזְלוּן בָּעְיָין מַיְיתוּנֵיהּ וְגוּשׁ חָלָב אַנְפְּקוּן בַּתְרֵיהוֹן בְּחוּטְרֵי וּבְמוּרְנְיָתָא. חַד זְמַן קְרַב צוֹמָא רַבָּה אָמְרִין הָא עָנְתָא מַיְיתִין יָתֵיהּ, עַד דְּאִינוּן בָּקְיָין, אָזְלוּן בָּעְיָין מַיְתוּנֵיהּ וְנָפְקִין תְּרֵין חֵיוָואן דְּנוּר שָׁרָן מְהַלְּכִין קֳדָמֵיהוֹן, אָמְרוּן הַהוּא שַׁעְתָּא דַּאֲנַן מַיְיתִין, וְכֵיוָן דִּמְטוֹן לִמְעַרְתָּא קָמוּן לוֹן תְּרֵין חֵיוָן לִיסְטָר, אָמְרוּן מַאן עָלֵיל מַיְיתֵי לֵיהּ, אָמְרָה אֲנָא עָלְלָה וּמַיְיתֵי לֵיהּ, דְּאִית לִי סִימָן בֵּיהּ, עֲלֵלַת לְאַיְיתֵיהּ וְאַשְׁכַּח הַהוּא תּוֹלַעְתָּא יְתִיבָא וְנָקְרָה אֲחוֹרֵי אוּדְנֵיהּ, בָּעֵית מְרִים יָתֵיהּ שְׁמָעַת בְּרַת קָלָה אָמְרַת שְׁבַקוּ לְמָרֵי חוֹבָא דְּיִגְבֵי חוֹבֵיהּ. אַיְיתוּנֵיהּ וְיַהֲבוּנֵיהּ גַּבֵּי אֲבוּי, מִן הַהוּא שַׁעְתָּא לָא אִתְגְּלֵי רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן עַל מָרוֹנָאֵי. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן כְּשֶׁהָיָה נִכְנַס לְבֵית הַוַּעַד הָיוּ פָּנָיו שֶׁל רַבִּי מַקְדִּירוֹת, וַהֲוָה אֲבוּי אָמַר לֵיהּ בְּרִי יָאוּת זֶה אֲרִי בֶּן אֲרִי וְאַתָּה אֲרִי בֶּן שׁוּעָל. מִן דִּדְמַךְ שְׁלַח תָּבַע בְּאִיתְּתֵיהּ, שְׁלָחַת וַאֲמָרַת לֵיהּ כְּלִי שֶׁנִּשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בּוֹ קֹדֶשׁ יִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בּוֹ חֹל. אָמַר לָהּ וּמָה עֲבַד דַּאֲנָא לָא עָבֵיד דִּכְוָותֵיהּ, אָמְרָה לֵיהּ כַּד יָתֵיב מִלְעֵי בְּאוֹרָיְיתָא הֲוָה לָעֵי כָּל צָרְכֵּיהּ, וַהֲוָה אָמַר דְּכָל יִסּוּרֵיהוֹן דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל יֵיתוּן עֲלַי וְהַיְינוּן אַתְיָין, וְכַד הֲוַת עָנְתָה דְּמִלְעֵי הֲוָה אָמַר כָּל חַד וְחַד יֵיזֵל לֵיהּ לְאַתְרֵיהּ. אֲמַר לָהּ אוֹף אֲנָא עָבֵיד כֵּן, קְרָא לוֹן דְּיֵיתוּן וַאֲתוֹן, בְּעָא דְּיֵזְלוּן וְלָא אֲזַלוּן, וְאִית דְּאַמְרֵי תְּלַת עֲשַׂר שְׁנִין דְּיוֹמִין עֲבֵיד חֲשַׁשׁ שִׁנֵּיהּ, שְׁלַח וַאֲמַר לָהּ, אָמְרָה לֵיהּ שָׁמַעְתִּי שֶׁמַּעֲלִין בַּקֹּדֶשׁ וְלֹא מוֹרִידִין. וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה, (במדבר כט, לה): בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת.

“Distribute a portion to seven, and also to eight, as you do not know what evil will be upon the earth” (Ecclesiastes 11:2). “Distribute a portion to seven, and also to eight” – Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua: Rabbi Eliezer says: “Distribute a portion to seven” – these are the seven days of the week, as it is stated: “It was on the seventh” (I Kings 18:44), on the day of Shabbat. “And also to eight” – these are the eight days of circumcision, as it is stated: “He put his face between his knees…” (I Kings 18:42). Why between his knees? He said before the Holy One blessed be He: ‘Master of the universe, even if your descendants have only these two mitzvot to their credit, Shabbat and circumcision, it is fitting that You should have mercy on them.’ Rabbi Yehoshua says: “Distribute a portion to seven” – these are the seven days of Passover; “and also to eight” – these are the eight days of the festival. From where do I derive to include Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur? The verse states: “Also” – “and also” [and these are two] inclusions. Rabbi Azarya says: “Distribute a portion to seven” – this is the generation that Moses circumcised after seven; “and also to eight” – this is the generation that Joshua circumcised after eight, as it is written: “At that time, the Lord said to Joshua…circumcise the children of Israel a second time.” (Joshua 5:2). By inference, [this indicates] that [Moses] had circumcised them in the first instance. “Joshua made [flint knives] for himself [and circumcised the children of Israel at the Hill of the Foreskins]” (Joshua 5:3) – [the name of this place indicates] that they made it a hill with [all their] foreskins. Rabbi Neḥemya interpreted the verse regarding the princes: “Distribute a portion to seven” – as it is written: “On the seventh day the prince of the children of Ephraim” (Numbers 7:48). “And also to eight” – as it is written: “On the eighth day the prince of the children of Manasseh (Numbers 7:54). Rabbi Yehuda interpreted the verse regarding the inauguration. “Distribute a portion to seven” – these are the seven days of inauguration, as it is stated: “For seven days He will inaugurate you” (Leviticus 8:33). “And also to eight” – as it is written: “It was on the eighth day (Leviticus 9:1). Rabbi Huna said: “Distribute a portion to seven” – these are the seven days of menstruation; “and also to eight” – these are the eight days of circumcision, as it is stated: “And on the eighth day [the flesh of his foreskin] shall be circumcised” (Leviticus 12:3). Rabbi Levi said: “Distribute a portion to seven” – these are the seven days of the booth; “and also to eight” – as it is stated: “On the eighth day [you shall have] an assembly” (Numbers 29:35). Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon grew weak and his arm was uncovered. His wife saw him, and she smiled, cried, and said: ‘Happy am I with what was my lot in this world. Happy am I that I cleaved to the body of this righteous one.’ She cried and said: ‘Woe is me that the body of this righteous one is going into the ground.’ As he was dying, he said to her: ‘I am dying; however, maggots will have no power over me, other than one worm that is destined to bore a hole behind my ear, for one time I was entering [a place] and I heard the voice of a certain person who was cursing, and although I had the ability to punish him, I did not do so.’ When he died he was buried in Gush Ḥalav. Rabbi Shimon would appear to the residents of Meron, and he would say to them: ‘One right eye that I had, and you do not bury him alongside me?’ The residents of Meron would go and seek to bring him, and the residents of Gush Ḥalav would emerge against them with clubs and spears. One time, with the approach of the great fast, [the residents of Meron] said: This time we will bring him, while they are preoccupied. They went and sought to bring him, and two snakes of fire emerged and went before them. They said: ‘This is the time that we will bring him.’ Once they reached the cave, the two snakes stood to the side. They said: ‘Who will enter and bring him?’ She said: ‘I will enter and bring him, as I know an distinguishing mark in him.’ She entered and found that worm that was sitting and boring a hole behind his ear. She sought to remove it. She heard a Divine Voice saying: ‘Leave the creditor to collect its debt.’ They brought him and placed him alongside his father. From that moment on, Rabbi Shimon did not appear to the residents of Meron. When Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon would enter the study hall, the face of Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] would become gloomy. His father would say to him: ‘My son, it is proper [that he prevails], as he is a lion, son of a lion, and you are a lion, son of a fox.’ When he died, he sent and proposed to his wife. She sent and said to him: ‘Shall a vessel that was used by the sacred be used by the profane?’ He said to her: ‘What did he do that I do not do like him?’ She said to him: ‘When he would sit and devote himself to Torah study, he would completely devote himself. He would say: May all the suffering of Israel come upon me, and it would come [upon him]. But when it came time to engage [in Torah study], he would say: Each and every one should go to its place.’ He said to her: ‘I, too, will do so.’ He called upon them to come, and they came. He sought for them to leave, but they did not leave. Some say, for thirteen years to the day he suffered from toothaches. He sent and told her. She said to him: ‘I have heard that one elevates in matters of sanctity and one does not downgrade.’ “And also to eight” – as it is stated: “On the eighth day [you shall have] an assembly.”

Verse 3 · 1א׳

אִם יִמָּלְאוּ הֶעָבִים גֶּשֶׁם עַל הָאָרֶץ יָרִיקוּ וגו'. אִם יִמָּלְאוּ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים תּוֹרָה, עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל יָרִיקוּ, שֶׁנִּקְרְאוּ אֶרֶץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (מלאכי ג, יב): כִּי תִהְיוּ אַתֶּם אֶרֶץ חֵפֶץ. אִם יִפּוֹל עֵץ בַּדָּרוֹם וְאִם בַּצָּפוֹן, אִם הִגִּיעַ קִירְסוֹ שֶׁל תַּלְמִיד חָכָם לְהוֹרוֹת, אִם בַּדָּרוֹם וְאִם בַּצָּפוֹן, כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל מִתְכַּנְסִין שָׁמָּה וּמַעֲמִידִין חָכְמָתוֹ וְשׁוֹמְעִין מִמֶּנּוּ וְלוֹמְדִין מִמֶּנּוּ. דָּבָר אַחֵר, אִם יִמָּלְאוּ הֶעָבִים גֶּשֶׁם, אִם הַנְּבִיאִים יִמָּלְאוּ נְבוּאָה, עַל הָאָרֶץ יָרִיקוּ, עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל מִתְנַבְּאִין שֶׁנִּקְרְאוּ אֶרֶץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (מלאכי ג, יב): כִּי תִהְיוּ אַתֶּם אֶרֶץ חֵפֶץ. תִּרְגֵּם עֲקִילַת הַגֵּר (ישעיה ה, ו): וְעַל הֶעָבִים אֲצַוֶּה מֵהַמְטִיר עָלָיו מָטָר, וְעַל נְבִיָּיָא אֲפַקֵּיד דְּלָא יִתְנַבְּאוּן לְהוֹן נְבוּאָתָה. אִם יִפּוֹל עֵץ בַּדָּרוֹם וְאִם בַּצָּפוֹן, אִם הִגִּיעַ קִירְסָן שֶׁל נְבִיאִים לְהִתְנַבּאוֹת. אִם בַּדָּרוֹם וְאִם בַּצָּפוֹן, שָׁמָּה יִהְיוּ כָל יִשְׂרָאֵל מִתְכַּנְּסִין וְשׁוֹמְעִין נְבוּאָתָן וּלְמֵדִין מִמֶּנּוּ. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק אִם רָאִיתָ צָרוֹת שֶׁהֵם מְשַׁמְשׁוֹת וּבָאוֹת עַל הָאָרֶץ, בִּשְׁבִיל יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁנִּקְרְאוּ אֶרֶץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (מלאכי ג, יב): כִּי תִהְיוּ אַתֶּם אֶרֶץ חֵפֶץ. אִם הִגִּיעַ קִירְסוֹ שֶׁל תַּלְמִיד חָכָם לְהִסְתַּלֵּק מִן הָעוֹלָם, כְּגוֹן רַבִּי מוֹנָא בְּצִפּוֹרִין וְרַבִּי בּוֹן בִּטְבֶרְיָה. אִם בַּדָּרוֹם וְאִם בַּצָּפוֹן מְקוֹם שֶׁיִּפּוֹל הָעֵץ שָׁם יְהוּא, שָׁמָּה יִהְיוּ כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל גּוֹמְלִין אוֹתוֹ חֶסֶד. שֹׁמֵר רוּחַ לֹא יִזְרָע, שׁוֹמֵר רוּחָן שֶׁל מַלְכֻיּוֹת, לֹא יִזְרַע מִצְווֹת וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים. וּמִי רוֹאֶה בֶּעָבִים שֶׁל מַלְכֻיּוֹת, לֹא יִקְצוֹר מִצְווֹת וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים.

“If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the land, and if the tree falls in the south, or in the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be. One who awaits the wind will not sow; and one who gazes at the clouds will not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11:3–4). “If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the land…” – if Torah scholars become filled with Torah, they will empty themselves upon Israel, who are called land, as it is stated: “As you will be a land of delight” (Malachi 3:12). “If the tree falls in the south, or in the north” – if the time has come for a Torah scholar to issue rulings, whether in the south or in the north, all of Israel assembles there and venerates his wisdom, hears from him, and learns from him. Another matter: “If the clouds are full of rain” – if the prophets will be full of prophecy; “they empty themselves upon the land” – they will prophesy to Israel, who are called land, as it is stated: “As you will be a land of delight” (Malachi 3:12). Aquila the proselyte interpreted [the verse]: “I will command the clouds not to pour rain upon it” (Isaiah 5:6) [as follows]: I will command the prophets that they should not deliver prophecy to you. “If the tree falls in the south, or in the north” – if the time has come for a prophet to prophesy, whether in the south or in the north, all of Israel assembles, hears his prophecy, and learns from him. Rabbi Yitzḥak said: If you see troubles that are approaching and coming upon the land, it is due to Israel, who are called land, as it is stated: “As you will be a land of delight” (Malachi 3:12). If the time has come for a Torah scholar to leave the world, like Rabbi Mona in Tzippori and Rabbi Bon in Tiberias, “in the south, or in the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be,” there all Israel will perform acts of kindness with him. “One who awaits the wind [ruaḥ] will not sow” – if one awaits the spirit [ruaḥ] of the kingdoms, he will not sow mitzvot and good deeds; “and one who gazes at the clouds” of the kingdoms “will not reap” [the reward for] mitzvot and good deeds.