The Quarrel Of The Sun And The Moon

Rabbi Shimon ben Pazi raised a contradiction: It is written (Genesis 1:16) "And God made the two great lights," and it is written (in the same verse) "the greater light and the lesser light." The moon said before the Holy One, blessed be He: Master of the Universe, is it possible for two kings to make use of one crown? He said to her: Go and diminish yourself. She said before Him: Master of the Universe, because I said a fitting thing before You, shall I diminish myself? He said to her: Go and rule both by day and by night. She said to Him: What is the greatness in that? Of what use is a lamp at noon? He said to her: Go, let Israel count by you the days and the years. She said to Him: It is impossible for them not to count the seasons by the day as well, as it is written (Genesis 1:14): "And they shall be for signs and for appointed times and for days and years." He said: Go, let the righteous be called by your name: "Jacob the small," "Samuel the small," "David the small." He saw that her mind was not settled. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Bring an atonement for Me, for I diminished the moon! And this is what Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: Why is the goat-offering of the New Moon different, in that it is said concerning it (Numbers 28:15) "for the LORD"? The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Let this goat be an atonement for Me, for I diminished the moon.