“The one who presented his offering on the first day was Naḥshon, son of Aminadav, of the tribe of Judah” (Numbers 7:12). “The one who presented his offering on the first day was Naḥshon…” That is what is written: “Show Your favor to Zion…. Then You will delight in righteous offerings…” (Psalms 51:20–21). Because in the wilderness, with the establishment of the Tabernacle, they presented only a bit for the dedication of the altar, just as it says: “His offering: One silver dish…one ladle…one bull…one goat…and for the peace offering…” (Numbers 7:13–17).
That was the entire offering. To what is the matter comparable? It is to a king who set out on the way and they would bring before him a meal suitable for the way and suitable for the inn. The king said to them: ‘Am I not the king?
Do I not rule the kingdom?’1Why such a small offering at the consecration of the Tabernacle? They said to him: ‘Our lord, we are on the way, and what we brought before you is suitable for the way and the inn. When you enter the province and enter your palace, you will see the extent to which we will honor you.’ So, when the Tabernacle was established, the princes presented to Him a gift and an offering: A dish, a basin, and a ladle; “one bull…, a goat…, and for the peace offering….”
The Holy One blessed be He said to them: ‘Is this in keeping with My honor?’ They said to Him: ‘Master of the universe, we are located in the wilderness, and in accordance with the conditions in the wilderness, we have presented before You. When You enter Your palace, you will see how many offerings and how many bulls we will sacrifice before you.’ That is what is written: “Show Your favor to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem.
Then You will delight in righteous offerings…then will be offered on Your altar young bulls” (Psalms 51:20–21) – and not [only] one bull. Likewise, you find regarding Solomon, who built the Temple and sought to sacrifice for the dedication of the Temple. See what is written there: “Solomon slaughtered the peace offering [that he slaughtered to the Lord, twenty-two thousand oxen and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep.
The king and all the children of Israel dedicated the House of the Lord]” (I Kings 8:63). Likewise, in the days of Ezra: “They presented for the dedication of this House of God one hundred bulls, [two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and twelve goats as a sin offering for all Israel…]” (Ezra 6:17). That is “Show Your favor to Zion…. Then You will delight….” (Psalms 51:20–21).