I created an animal in My world, but no man can bear providing its sustenance. Which is this? It is “the animals [behemot] of one thousand hills” (Psalms 50:10). Rabbi Yoḥanan, Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish, and the Rabbis:25In Vayikra Rabba 20:10, Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish is quoted as saying what the Rabbis say here.
Rabbi Yoḥanan said: It is one animal that lies on one thousand mountains, and one thousand mountains grow all kinds of food for it, as it is food for the righteous in the future, as it is stated: “The Sharon will be a pasture for flocks, and the Akhor Valley for the lying of cattle, [for My people, who sought Me]” (Isaiah 65:10). The Rabbis say: It is one animal that lies on one thousand mountains, and one thousand mountains grow animals each day and it eats.
What is the source? “All the beasts of the field will frolic there” (Job 40:20). Is it possible that there is an animal that eats an animal?26The Hebrew term behema, translated as animal, refers to animals that graze, not to animals that eat meat. Rabbi Tanḥuma said: Great are the works of our God; how numerous are His works.
From where does it drink? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Everything that passes through the Jordan in six months,27Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi emphasizes the word “exploits” as an indication that the animal does not swallow the entire river but only enough for six months. it swallows in one gulp, as it is stated: “Behold, it can exploit a river, it need not rush; it is secure, even if the Jordan rushes into its mouth” (Job 40:23).
The Rabbis say: Everything that passes through the Jordan in a year,28The Rabbis emphasize the word “rushes” as an indication that it swallows the entire river, which is sufficient for one year. it swallows in one gulp, as it is stated: “It is secure, even if the Jordan rushes into its mouth,” and that is sufficient to wet its mouth. Rav Huna said in the name of Rav Yosef: It is not even sufficient to wet its mouth.
From where does it drink? Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai taught: “And a river emerges from Eden” (Genesis 2:10), and its name is Yuval, as it is stated: “And by a stream [yuval] it will spread its roots” (Jeremiah 17:8), and it drinks from there. It is taught in the name of Rabbi Meir: “But ask animals now, and they will teach you, and birds of the heavens, and they will tell you” (Job 12:7). “Ask animals now” – this is the animal; “and the birds of the heavens” – this is “the large fowl of the field” (Psalms 50:11); “or converse with the earth, and it will teach you” (Job 12:8) – this is the Garden of Eden; “and the fish of the sea will relate to you” (Job 12:8) – this is the leviathan. “Who does not know, among all these, that the hand of the Lord has done this?” (Job 12:9).