How Jacob Planted Cedars in Egypt for the Tabernacle

Rabbi Judah and Rabbi Nehemiah differ. Rabbi Judah says: There was a great clean animal in the wilderness, and from it they made the tent-curtains. But Rabbi Nehemiah says: It was a work of miracles. For the hour it was created, and then it was hidden away. Know this for yourself, for it is written, "And you shall make curtains" and so forth, "the length of the one curtain shall be thirty cubits" and so forth (Exodus 26:7-8). Who would bring you curtains of thirty? From here you learn according to the words of Rabbi Nehemiah, that it was a work of miracles. [And do not say so only concerning the curtain, but even concerning the boards it was a work of miracles.] From where were the boards? Our father Jacob planted them at the time when he went down to Egypt. He said to his sons: My sons, you are destined to be redeemed from here, and the Holy One, blessed be He, is destined to say to you, when you are redeemed, "Make Me a Sanctuary." Rather, arise and plant cedars, so that at the time when He says to you to make the Sanctuary, the cedars will be ready in your hands. Immediately, when their father told them, they arose and planted cedars.