“When a person presents a meal offering to the Lord” – “Those who fear the Lord, praise Him; all the offspring of Jacob, honor Him; [all the offspring of Israel, fear Him]” (Psalms 22:24). “Those who fear the Lord” – Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: These are those who fear Heaven. Rabbi Yishmael bar Naḥman said: These are the righteous converts. Rabbi Ḥizkiya and Rabbi Abahu said in the name of Rabbi Elazar: If righteous converts enter the World to Come, Antoninus will enter at the head of them all.
Why does the verse state: “All the offspring of Jacob, honor him”? These are the eleven tribes. Why then is it stated: “All the offspring of Israel, fear Him”? Rabbi Binyamin bar Levi said: This is the tribe of Benjamin, that came last.8Benjamin was born after Jacob was named Israel.
It is written: “For He neither despised nor abhorred the plea of the poor person” (Psalms 22:25). The way of the world is that when two people come before a judge, one poor and one wealthy, to whom does the judge turn his face if not to the wealthy one? However here, “He did not conceal His face from him; when he cried to Him, He heard” (Psalms 22:25). Rabbi Ḥagai decreed a fast9The fast was decreed due to a lack of rain. and rain fell.
He said: It is not because I am worthy, but rather because it is written: “For He neither despised nor abhorred the plea of the poor person.” Just as He does not despise his prayer, so He does not despise his offering, as it is stated: “When a person presents…”10This is the freewill meal offering typically brought by one who cannot afford to bring an animal as an offering.