Why God Counts Israel Like a Householder Reckons Wheat

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Ki Tisa 2:3

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Rabbi Isaac said: A man does not reckon up for his steward baskets of dung, nor of chaff, nor of straw. And what does he reckon up for his steward? Baskets of wheat, not baskets of dung. What does he do with the dung? He dissolves it away with water. And so too the generation of the Flood, what is written concerning it? "The Lord said: I will blot out" (Genesis 6:7). And not baskets of chaff. And what does he do with it? He scatters it to the wind. And so too the generation of the Dispersion: "And the Lord scattered them" (Genesis 11:8). And likewise the bundles of straw. And what does he do with them? He places them in the furnace. And so He did to the Egyptians: "It consumes them like straw" (Exodus 15:7). [And what does his steward reckon up? Bundles of wheat. Thus is Israel likened to wheat; therefore He counts them: "When you take a census" (Exodus 30:12).]

Themes

Divine JudgmentHumorWitEgyptNoah

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, NoachGod Remembers Noah and the Darkness That Covers the WickedWhen Scripture says "God remembered Noah," the Sages opened with the verse, "Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your judgments like the great deepMidrash Tanchuma Buber, TzavEsau Wraps Himself Like a Lion Beside Jacob Before His FallThe Maggid leans close. Listen, for the verse warns that those who blaspheme are judged in flame. So it was with Sisera, who oppressed Israel "with might", meanMidrash Tanchuma Buber, KorachWhy Korah and Dathan Stayed Silent Before MosesMoses tried, with patient words, to soothe Korah and pull him back from the brink. But Korah answered nothing. He was no fool; his cunning ran the depth of his Book of JubileesNoah's Burden After Surviving the FloodBook of Jubilees turns to Noah's Burden After Surviving the Flood. Well, the Book of Jubilees gives us a glimpse into that moment, a peak into Noah's heart. It'Book of JubileesHow Noah's Sons Divided the Earth Among ThemselvesBook of Jubilees turns to How Noah's Sons Divided the Earth Among Themselves. The Book of Jubilees isn’t part of the Tanakh. It's a Jewish religious writing of Legends of the JewsNoah's JourneyThe raven's journey on the ark wasn't exactly smooth sailing. When Noah needed a scout to check on the receding floodwaters, he called upon the raven. But the r