The Thirty-Six Hours of Plague David's Census Earned

"And the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed" (2 Samuel 24:15). Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai taught: thirty-six hours of punishment were decreed upon them in that hour, but great advocates arose and nullified them. These are: the seven days of the Sabbath, and the eight days of circumcision, and the five books of the Torah, and the merit of the fathers, three; and there remained there thirteen hours. Who nullified them? Two Amoraim. One said: the merit of the twelve tribes; and the other said: the merit of the Ten Commandments and the two tablets. There remained there one hour, "And the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed" (there, there, 15). Rabbi Chiyya [the Great] said: from the slaughter of the daily offering until the sprinkling of its blood. Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachman said: from when its blood is sprinkled until the sun shines forth. And the Rabbis said: from when the sun shines forth until the whole orb is filled. Come and see how many multitudes fell from them — had it been a whole hour, how much more so.