Michael Carries Levi to the Throne of Glory

Rabbi Ishmael says: All firstborn animals, while they are still being watched by the eye, are obligated to be tithed. And Jacob tithed only in reverse order; he began with Benjamin, who was in his mother's womb, and Levi came up as holy to the LORD. Michael the angel descended and took Levi and brought him up before the Throne of Glory. He said before Him: Master of the worlds, this one is Your lot and the portion of Your tithe. And He stretched out His right hand and blessed him, that his sons should minister before Him on earth like the ministering angels in heaven. Michael said before the Holy One, blessed be He: Master of the world, one who serves the king, does the king not provide their food? Therefore it is said (Deuteronomy 18:1), "The fire-offerings of the LORD and His inheritance they shall eat." Jacob took all the tithe of his livestock and sent it by the hand of his servants and gave it to Esau. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Jacob, you have made the holy into the profane. He said before Him: Master of the world, I am flattering the wicked one so that he will not kill me. From here they said that one may flatter the wicked in this world for the sake of the ways of peace. "And Esau said, I have plenty" (Genesis 33:9): because he showed honor to Jacob with that expression, Israel showed honor to the children of Esau with the same expression, "You have circled this mountain long enough" (Deuteronomy 2:3). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Jacob, is it not enough that you have made the holy profane, but that, whereas I said "the elder shall serve the younger" (Genesis 25:23), you said "thus says your servant Jacob" (Genesis 32:5)? By your life, as you have spoken: he shall rule over you in this world, and you shall rule over him in the world to come.