A Portion to Seven and to Eight in Mitzvot and Festivals

"Give a portion to seven, and also to eight" (Ecclesiastes 11:2). Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Nehemiah and Rabbi Joshua each expounded it. Rabbi Eliezer said: "Give a portion to seven" - this is the Sabbath, as it is written, "And it came to pass on the seventh day" (Exodus 16:27). "And also to eight" - this is circumcision, as it is written, "And Elijah set his face between his knees" (1 Kings 18:42). Elijah said before the Holy One, blessed be He: Master of the universe, even if Israel had nothing left but these two commandments alone, their merit would be enough that rain should come down for them. Rabbi Nehemiah said: "Give a portion to seven" - this is the generation of Moses, whom he circumcised at seven; "and also to eight" - this is the generation that Joshua circumcised at eight. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Moses your teacher circumcised them at seven, and you circumcise them at eight - "At that time the LORD said to Joshua, Make for yourself flint knives" and so forth (Joshua 5:2); for a second covenant you circumcise them, but for a third covenant you do not circumcise them. Rabbi Joshua said: "Give a portion to seven" - these are the seven days of Passover; "and also to eight" - these are the eight days of the Festival [of Tabernacles]. When it says "and also," this includes the Feast of Weeks and the New Year and the Day of Atonement. Rabbi Simon explained the verse concerning the tribal princes. "Give a portion to seven" - "On the seventh day, the prince of the children of Ephraim" (Numbers 7:48); "and also to eight" - "On the eighth day, the prince of the children of Manasseh" (Numbers 7:54). Rabbi Azariah in the name of Rabbi Judah son of Rabbi Simon explained the verse concerning the days of consecration [of the priests]. "Give a portion to seven" - "For seven days shall he consecrate you" (Leviticus 8:33); "and also to eight" - "And it came to pass on the eighth day that Moses called" (Leviticus 9:1). Rabbi Judah son of Rabbi Simon in the name of Rabbi Meir explained the verse concerning the menstruant woman. "Give a portion to seven" - these are the seven days of menstrual separation; "and also to eight" - these are the eight [days until] circumcision. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: If you have kept the seven days of separation properly, behold, I give you a male child and you circumcise him on the eighth, "on the eighth day" (Leviticus 12:3). Rabbi Levi said: "Give a portion to seven" - these are the seven days of the Festival; "and also to eight" - "On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly" and so forth (Numbers 29:35).