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The leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel each
bring their offerings for the inauguration of the altar. Although their
gifts are identical, each is brought on a different day and is individually
described by the Torah.
FROM THE WORDS
OF OUR SAGES ON THE PARSHAH:
- And the priest shall write these
oaths in a scroll, and he shall blot them out with the
bitter water (Numbers 5:23)
Great is peace! For to make peace
between husband and wife, the Torah instructs that the name
of G-d, written in holiness, should be blotted out in water
(the text of the oath administered to the Sotah include the
Divine name). (Talmud, Chulin 141a)
- [The Nazir] shall eat nothing that
is made of the grape vine, from the seeds to the skin
(Numbers 6:4)
When Noah took to planting, Satan
came and stood before him and said to him: "What are you
planting?" Said he: "A vineyard." Said Satan to him: "What
is its nature?" Said he: "Its fruits are sweet, whether
moist or dry, and one makes from them wine which brings joy
to the heart." Said Satan to Noah: "Do you desire that we
should plant it together, you and I?" Said Noah: "Yes."
What did Satan do? He brought a lamb
and slaughtered it over the vine; then he brought a lion,
and slaughtered it over it; then he brought a monkey, and
slaughtered it over it; then he brought a swine, and
slaughtered it over it; and he watered the vine with their
blood. Thus he alluded to Noah: When a person drinks one
cup, he is like a lamb, modest and meek. When he drinks two
cups, he becomes mighty as a lion and begins to speak with
pride, saying: Who compares with me! As soon as he drinks
three or four cups he becomes a monkey, dancing and
frolicking and profaning his mouth, and knowing not what he
does. When he becomes drunk, he becomes a pig, dirtied by
mud and wallowing in filth. (Midrash Tanchuma)
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