“I have oxen and donkeys and flocks and slaves and maidservants, and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes” (Genesis 32:6). “I have oxen [shor] and donkeys [vahamor]…”16Shor and Ḥamor are singular nouns used to connote numerous oxen and donkeys. – Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Neḥemya, and the Rabbis, Rabbi Yehuda says: From one ox, many oxen emerged; from one donkey, many donkeys emerged.
Rabbi Neḥemya said: In people’s vernacular they say ox, camel. The Rabbis say: “Shor” – that is the one anointed for war, as it is stated: “A firstborn bull [shoro] is his majesty” (Deuteronomy 33:17).17The verse continues: “With them he will gore the peoples together at the ends of the earth.” “Ḥamor” – this is the messianic king, as it is stated: “He is humble, and riding upon a donkey [ḥamor]…” (Zechariah 9:9).
“Flocks [tzon]” – this is Israel, as it is stated: “You, My flock [tzoni], flock of My pasture” (Ezekiel 34:31). “And slaves and maidservants [ve’eved veshifḥa]” – “Behold, as the eyes of slaves to the hand of their master, [as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress]” (Psalms 123:2); “Be gracious to us, Lord; be gracious to us, for we have had more than enough of scorn” (Psalms 123:3).