The Daily Offerings That Cleared Jerusalem of Sin Each Night

"And you shall say to them: This is the fire-offering" etc. (Numbers 28:3) — not both of them at once, but rather, "The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the second lamb you shall offer at twilight" (ibid. v. 4). Rabbi Yehudah bar Simon said: Never did a person lodge overnight in Jerusalem with iniquity in his hand. How so? The daily morning offering would atone for transgressions committed during the night, and the daily offering at twilight would atone for transgressions committed during the day. In any case, no person lodged overnight in Jerusalem with iniquity in his hand, as it is said, "Righteousness lodged in her" (Isaiah 1:21). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel: In this world you offer the showbread and sacrifices, but in the world to come I will set out for you a great table, and the nations of the world will see and be ashamed, as it is said, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my adversaries; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows" (Psalms 23:5). And it says, "Behold, My servants shall eat, but you shall go hungry" etc. (Isaiah 65:13).