Hannah's Vow for a Seed of Men and Rabbi Levi's Crown

"And You will remember me" — with males. "And do not forget Your maidservant" — with females. "And You will give Your maidservant a seed of men" — Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin in the name of Rabbi Levi said: men whose faces will resemble neither an ape nor a eunuch. Another interpretation: "And You will give Your maidservant a seed of men" — understanding men, as it is said, "Provide for yourselves wise and understanding men" (Deuteronomy 1:13). Prophet men, as it is said, "And two men remained in the camp" (Numbers 11:26). Great men, as it is said, "And the man in the days of Saul was old, advanced among men" (1 Samuel 17:12). Righteous men, as it is said, "And your people, all of them, are righteous" (Isaiah 60:21). They said to Hannah: Why do you ask for men who are wise and understanding and great and righteous? She said to them: because they are for the sake of the Holy One, blessed be He. Rabbi Levi said: This is like one who sits and makes a crown for the king. Someone passed by and saw him, and said to him: What are you doing? He said to him: I am making a crown for the king. He said to him: All that you are able to set into it of precious stones and pearls, set into it. Why? Because it is destined to be placed upon the head of the king. So too they said to Hannah: Why do you ask for men who are wise and understanding, great and righteous? She said to them: because they are for the sake of the Holy One, blessed be He.